Coping with Anxiety

Life is becoming busier and busier every day! With pressure and stress continuing to increase, adrenaline and anxiety can follow. While short bursts of stress can help during difficult situations, continuous stress at a high level for long periods can negatively affect our day-to-day physical and mental health.

A common symptom of chronic stress is anxiety. Anxiety is currently the most common mental health condition in the U.S. More than 31% of people will experience an anxiety disorder at some point throughout their life. Anxiety symptoms can range from worry, fear, apprehension, and depression. Learning how to manage anxiety will help improve your overall happiness and can increase motivation while preventing further health issues.

If you’re interested in managing your anxiety while reducing your daily stress, take a look at these five tips to help cope with your anxiety today:

1. Practice breathing techniques.

Though this may seem simple, it’s surprisingly effective. When we feel stressed, we can experience shallow rapid breaths, which lowers oxygen levels and increase tension. Practicing breathing techniques can have long-term positive effects. These techniques can reduce stress while calming your mind and body.

2. Keep a positive attitude.

If you notice signs of stress and anxiety, shift your thoughts to ones that bring you happiness and joy. Start with small happy thoughts and move to bigger ones. Finding joy can reduce symptoms of anxiety while decreasing stressful feelings. When you maintain a positive attitude, everything around you becomes better.

3. Maintain a healthy diet.

Eating healthy brain-boosting foods can be a game changer for anxiety. These foods include berries, fish fat, turmeric, broccoli, nuts, coffee, and dark chocolate. Likewise, unhealthy eating habits can negatively affect your anxiety and health. It’s best to avoid too many processed foods, sugary snacks or drinks, fried foods, and alcohol.

4. Schedule regular physical activity.

Exercise is one of the best ways to relieve stress and calm your mind and body. No matter what physical activity you choose, carving out 30 minutes to an hour routinely throughout the week can make a huge difference. Be sure to choose an activity you like that brings you joy. Regular exercise has endless physical and mental health benefits.

5. Recruit support and talk to someone.

We feel much better when we share our thoughts and feelings with someone we trust. Sharing challenging emotions can help relieve the pressure from stress and create more ease in your daily life. Whether you speak to a family member, friend, significant other, or therapist, find someone you feel comfortable opening up to.

Anxiety disorders affect many of us today. Busy lives, tight schedules, chronic stress, and unhealthy habits can disempower our mental health. Taking measures to help you cope with stress and manage anxiety is essential. Relax and stay healthy, continue to eat the best brain foods, and follow the tips above, and soon you’ll start to notice the benefits. While these tips are great for anyone experiencing anxiety symptoms, it’s best to consult your medical doctor for professional guidance if you struggle to cope daily.