Anxiety, a normal response to stress and uncertainty, can sometimes be overwhelming and debilitating. While it's important to seek professional help for severe anxiety disorders, there are several practical, evidence-based strategies that can help manage everyday anxiety. This article explores these methods.
Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety manifests as excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations, often accompanied by physical symptoms like a fast heart rate, rapid breathing, and increased sweating. When these feelings become severe, last longer than six months, and interfere with daily life, it could indicate an anxiety disorder (Mayo Clinic, 2021).
Practical Strategies for Managing Anxiety
Mindfulness and Meditation
Mindfulness, the practice of being fully engaged in the present moment, has been shown to have substantial benefits for managing anxiety. Mindfulness-based meditation can lead to reductions in reactivity and negative thinking, and improve attention and focus (Hölzel et al., 2011).
Regular Exercise
Regular physical activity can help decrease anxiety by boosting the body's production of endorphins – natural mood lifters. It also can act as a natural distraction, allowing individuals to find some quiet time to break out of the cycle of negative thoughts that feed anxiety (Weir, 2011).
Balanced Diet
A healthy diet can significantly affect an individual's mood and energy level. Certain foods may contribute to anxiety. For instance, caffeine and alcohol, in addition to sugar-rich foods, have been associated with increased anxiety (Sathyanarayana Rao et al., 2014). On the other hand, a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, lean protein, and whole grains can provide better mood balance.
Adequate Sleep
Sleep problems and anxiety often go hand in hand. Improving sleep hygiene – the habits and practices conducive to sleeping well on a regular basis – can be a beneficial strategy for reducing anxiety (Irish et al., 2015). This can involve maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and avoiding screens before bedtime.
Expressive Writing
Expressive writing, or writing about thoughts and feelings, can be a therapeutic tool for managing anxiety. By putting feelings into words, individuals may be able to organize and understand their thoughts and emotions better, thereby reducing anxiety (Pennebaker & Beall, 1986).
While these strategies can be effective in managing everyday anxiety, they are not a substitute for professional help. If your anxiety is overwhelming or difficult to manage, consider reaching out to a mental health professional.
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References:
Mayo Clinic. (2021). Anxiety disorders.
Hölzel, B. K., Lazar, S. W., Gard, T., Schuman-Olivier, Z., Vago, D. R., & Ott, U. (2011). How does mindfulness meditation work? Proposing mechanisms of action from a conceptual and neural perspective. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 6(6), 537-559.
Weir, K. (2011). The exercise effect. American Psychological Association.
Sathyanarayana Rao, T. S., Asha, M. R., Ramesh, B. N., & Jagannatha Rao, K. S. (2014). Understanding nutrition, depression, and mental illnesses. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 50(2), 77–82.
Irish, L. A., Kline, C. E., Gunn, H. E., Buysse, D. J., & Hall, M. H. (2015). The role of sleep hygiene in promoting public health: A review of empirical evidence. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 22, 23-36.
Pennebaker, J. W., & Beall, S. K. (1986). Confronting a traumatic event: Toward an understanding of inhibition and disease. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 95(3), 274–281.
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