Dealing With Anxiety
If you suffer from anxiety, the first thing you need to know is that you're definitely not alone. In fact, around 40 million American adults have some sort of anxiety disorder. To make things even clearer, anxiety disorders are extremely common in America.
Simply put, anxiety disorders are usually characterized by feelings of anxiety that go beyond worrying about everyday things like problems at work or school or dealing with life changes. In some cases, people suffering from anxiety may be dominated by an uncontrolled fear that prevents them from living a normal life.
Overall speaking, anxiety can be treated using meditation, exercise, counseling, and prescription drugs. While most experts recommend a combination of all, we are about to show you how you can deal with anxiety without any prescription drugs. In case you need them, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor.
How To Deal With Anxiety
#1: Meditation:
There's no question that one of the best ways to deal with anxiety is meditation. However, if you never tried it before, you need to keep in mind that it may take you some time to do it successfully. Nevertheless, as soon as you are able to perform mindful meditation frequently, it can help you train your brain to dismiss anxious thoughts when they arise.
In case you are having problems concentrating, you may start with yoga first.
#2: Identify And Learn To Manage Your Triggers:
Everyone suffering from anxiety has triggers that will make you feel extremely anxious. However, these are not always easily identifiable. While for some people it may be smoking, drinking alcohol, or caffeine, for other the trigger may be related to long-term problems. It may be something related to work or finances. It may be a situation, a person, or even a due date.
In case you cannot figure out what triggers your anxiety, the best thing you can do is to get help from a therapist or even with your friends. Some of the most common long-term triggers include:
- Trauma
- A stressful work environment
- Genetics
- Chronic illnesses like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease
- Having another mental illness like depression
- Traveling or driving
- Side effects of certain medications
- Withdrawal from drugs or some medications
- Chronic pain
- Phobias like claustrophobia or agoraphobia
#3: Change Your Diet:
What you ingest plays a huge role in the way you feel. According to some research, certain supplements or nutrients can help anxiety reduction. These include:
- lemon balm
- omega-3 fatty acids
- ashwagandha
- green tea
- valerian root
- kava kava
- dark chocolate (in moderation)
Notice that changing your diet will not have immediate results on your anxiety. It may take up to 3 months to notice some changes. In addition, in case you're taking some medications, you should discuss herbal remedies with your doctor before you start taking them.
#4: Get Involved In Your Community:
For some people, having their minds busy is a way to deal with more complicated situations or problems. If you fit this category, then you may want to become a volunteer or be more active in your community.
According to some research, helping others also allows people to focus on something other than their anxiety.
#5: Assume You Can't Control Everything:
It is normal to feel some anxiety. However, it is also important that you understand you can't control everything. Ultimately, people suffering from anxiety should focus on the present and not on the future. The truth is that most anxious thoughts are all about what's going to happen and not about what's happening or already happened. So, focus on the now.
#6: Get Enough Sleep:
According to the National Sleep Foundation, lack of sleep can lead to anxiety disorders. So, you should aim to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Ultimately, adequate sleep helps your body deal with stress.