Home / Resources / A practical tip to reduce anxiety

A practical tip to reduce anxiety

 

When you are next presented with a stressful situation, be it speaking in public or playing sport in a tournament, this tip may prove helpful.

Clench your left fist, as you would if you were holding a stress ball, for a minute before the event and then release it – that’s it! You can use a stress ball if you find it more comfortable and have one to hand.

Although there is on-going controversy about left brain/right brain thinkers, researchers found in a study using skilled athletes that those who clenched their left fist prior to competing performed the same or better whilst those who clenched their right were more likely to choke under pressure. The reasoning was that the left hand side of the body is believed to be connected to the right hemisphere of the brain. This is the side of the brain associated with automatic movements. Clenching your left fist will also constrain the left hemisphere of your brain which is considered to be the language area and responsible for rumination and worrying thoughts.

So by reducing your worrying thoughts about the event and encouraging your automatic movements, clenching that left fist may well be the route to an improved performance next time you have to deliver a well-rehearsed but anxiety-inducing skill.

(Note – There was a caveat that the study focused on right-handed people as the relationship between different parts of the brain isn’t as well understood for left-handed people – may still be worth a try though?)

Recent articles on our blog....

People chatting in atriumm of building - performance and development conversations

Ask the Expert: Meeting the new standards for addressing Sexual Misconduct and Harassment in Higher Education

June 20, 2025

In this Ask the Expert article, trainer Fiona McPhail offers some thoughts for those involved in helping to ensure Higher Educations Institutions meet the mandatory new requirements for addressing harassment and sexual misconduct.

Read More →
Man and woman in discussion seated across a black table, the photo is taken from outside so a blurred vertical line from the window pane is seen down centre of photo between them

Why saying you have a speaking up culture doesn’t mean you do

June 18, 2025

This disconnect is costing organisations which is why it has become a leadership imperative to understand why attempts at a speaking up culture fail and, more importantly, how one can be built that genuinely works.

Read More →
Pink cherry blossom flowers on tree

Spring into the latest edition of our newsletter which aims to help improve worker wellbeing

May 2, 2025

This edition includes tips on the lemonade mindset and creating a culture of mattering at work.

Read More →

Testimonials

ineq-about-us-150x150

Our purpose is to provide training and consultancy services to enhance resilience, health and wellbeing in the workplace.

ineq-ethos-values-150x150

Differentiation is one of the most strategic and tactical activities in which companies most constantly engage

ineq-faqs-150x150

It's natural to have questions about training and how it fits with your organisation. Our FAQs can help you find out more.

ineq-case-studies-150x150

View case studies for some of the in-house training courses we have delivered to different types of organisations across the UK.