Anxiety can be a normal reaction to many things in life, but it shouldn’t be something that is so overwhelming that it limits your ability to live a normal life. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with anxiety and get control over it. Use the information and techniques in this article to get you anxiety under control.
There are certain foods that should be avoided, if you are trying to cut down on the symptoms of anxiety. Foods that are sweetened with sugar, those with processed white flour and caffeinated beverages should not be consumed very often. They will only serve to make your condition worse, than it already is.
Gain control of your thoughts and you will find that your anxiety issues will affect you less. The more that your mind is filled with negative thoughts, the more anxiety attacks you will experience. Once you find a way to manage your thoughts, you will find anxiety issues are decreased, as well.
Learn to say no. Overextending yourself can quickly drain your reserves and leave your mind racing as you try to live up to your commitments. Your refusal to put more on your plate than you can manage may cause disappointment for someone, but your mental health and well-being are most important.
Use physical exercise to alter your brain chemistry. Low serotonin could trigger anxiety, but having regular exercise could fix it. Serotonin and dopamine are natural relaxants of the brain, and you can increase their production by exercise, whether it’s tending your garden, walking, or working out. This won’t just lower your anxiety levels, but it can also help you deal with depression.
At times you will find yourself in different positions during a panic attack. If you have an anxiety attack, do whatever you can do in order to keep you distracted. Count down from 100, do math problems in your head, talk about good times you’ve had recently, and anything else that you can think of that could distract you in a positive manner.
During times when you feel anxious, watching an enjoyable comedy can be helpful. Funny movies will make you laugh and smile and help you escape from reality and your anxiety for an hour or two. This will give you time to reassess the situation and put your anxious feelings into perspective.
There is a huge assortment of natural herbs that will help you bring your stress hormones into a proper balance. Tulsi, rhodiola, and ginseng have all been shown to help with the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Talk to the professionals at the health food store or research online for the best natural herbs to fight anxiety.
Keep a log or a journal to try to figure out what your triggers are. Once you have the triggers mapped out, you will have a better idea of what you can do to reduce the anxiety that you feel in the different situations. Each situation may require a different management technique.
Immediately respond if you are having an anxiety attack at night while you are trying to sleep. Try to distract yourself by getting out of bed and getting a snack, listening to soft music, or reading a book. The more you move around, the less tense you feel and the more you can relax when you return to bed.
Whenever you are feeling high anxiety, try to take deep breaths. Take these breaths from your stomach and hold it in for a few seconds before releasing it. It is recommended that you do this 5 to 8 times. This can really help relax you, and make your anxiety disappear.
You should consult a doctor. A lot of people who suffer from anxiety, do not think that their feelings warrant a trip to the doctor, but the truth is that there are many factors that could cause anxiety, and the doctor will be able to best diagnose the causes. Because the doctor will determine the underlying cause of your anxiety, he can properly prescribe the right solution for you.
Limit caffeine and other stimulants. Too much caffeine in a healthy person’s diet can induce feelings of anxiety, so in someone who is already struggling with this disorder, it can have disastrous effects. Caffeine and other stimulants enhance alertness by blocking certain chemicals in the brain, and in individuals predisposed to anxiety, can cause increased heart rate, sweating palms, ringing in the ears, and even panic attacks.
It can be difficult to escape the stress of life in the fast lane, but you can reduce your anxiety by organizing the obligations in your life according to importance. Prioritize events and eliminate anything which really is not necessary. Free up enough time so you can relax several times each week.
Avoid people that make you uncomfortable if you are prone to anxiety attacks. That may sound like a no-brainer, but lots of people who deal with anxiety find various reasons to put up with discomfort and pain, such as wishing to avoid hurting people’s feelings, or not wanting to rock the boat. Associating with these people will cause you stress and anxiety.
Do something you enjoy. Anxiety, whether in the form of panic attacks or generalized anxiety, can cause you to forget about having fun. Getting out and de-stressing by enjoying yourself is one of the best things to do, so that you can start to relax and feel better about life for a while.
One good way to lower anxiety levels is by paying your bills on time. When you have to make late payments you may feel more stressed. That can make your anxiety even worse. All and any of your bills should be paid off so you can feel more relaxed.
As previously mentioned, anxiety can be a normal reaction to everyday stresses, but it shouldn’t be something that overwhelms you on a daily basis. If anxiety is interfering with your ability to have a normal life, then the advice and the methods in this article can help you get control over it and return to a more relaxed life.