Anxiety is a mental health disorder that is characterized by excessive and irrational worry about everyday situations. Stress is a response to an event or situation that causes bodily or mental tension.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States with 40 million adults suffering from them each year. A little bit of anxiety is actually good for motivating us to overcome and adapt to challenges, but too much of it can be quite overwhelming. It is important to take a break to gather yourself up from time to time and lower your anxiety levels so that you can perform to your maximum potential.
Exercise regularly
Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your mental health and cognitive function. A 2013 study found that those with anxiety disorders who reported a high level of physical activity had a better chance of stopping their disorder from developing, compared to people who don’t exercise and have anxiety.
Regular exercise is beneficial for a number of reasons, not just for improving your physical health but also for increasing your mental health. There are two good reasons why this can happen. Exercise can take your mind off of anything that’s making you stressed or worrying about: it diverts your attention away from these thoughts and provides an opportunity to focus on something else. It really depends on what you prefer when it comes to exercise. HIIT classes & distance running are two popular options for those looking for a heart-rate-boosting workout.
Replenish your supplements
A number of studies have pointed out that a lack of certain vitamins and minerals can be a major underlying cause behind your anxiety growing on you. It is important to nourish your body with supplements such as magnesium glycinate and Vitamin B1. Magnesium can be found in wheat, legumes, seeds, nuts, and much more. A study conducted in 2019 showed that those who took oral supplements for magnesium reported a lower level of anxiety in a month.
Consider quitting smoking cigarettes
Smoking one cigarette to combat stress may provide temporary relief, but it’ll only worsen your anxiety. Resisting that urge will eventually teach you an important life lesson: what not to do when feeling stressed.
Studies have shown that those who start smoking early in life tend to be more at risk for developing an anxiety disorder rather than those who start later on. It is also suggested that nicotine and other chemicals found in cigarette smoke cause pathways in the brain linked to anxiety to alter.
Limit caffeine intake
If you suffer from chronic anxiety, caffeine is not your friend. It may cause nervousness and jitters, two things that aren’t good if you have anxiety.
It has been shown that in some cases, consuming caffeine can lead to anxiety disorders. For instance, it may worsen symptoms in those who already have anxiety and cause panic attacks in those with panic disorder. In some people with these disorders, abstinence from caffeine may improve symptoms significantly. Similar to alcohol and caffeine, anxiety is often linked. This is due to caffeine’s ability to alter brain chemistry.
Also See: FUN Things to Do While Pregnant (and Bored!)| Healthy Ways To Unwind And Relax After A Hectic Day At Work
