Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Your Anxiety

Jul 26, 2018

Anxiety is known as one of the most common mental illnesses. The good news is, anxiety is manageable. The fix could be something as simple as changing up your lifestyle and incorporating new healthy habits into your daily routine.

The first steps to finding an outlet for your anxiety are to step back and evaluate your current lifestyle and to find the root of the problem. Make a list of important questions regarding your current situation. Ask yourself, "Am I getting enough sleep or even too much sleep?", "How are my diet habits?", "Do I exercise enough?", and "How are the personal relationships in my life?" Another tip that could be beneficial to the journey of relief is to track your progress. Grab a journal and write down how you are feeling as you make these changes to your life.

Starting with sleep schedules, a person typically requires no less than six and no more than nine hours of sleep at night. However, the quality of your sleep can play a role in this too. Do you find yourself waking up throughout the night? Are you tossing and turning, leaving yourself feeling restless? Here are some tips for a better night's sleep:

Turn off all electronics at least an hour before you sleep. Staying awake on our phones, computers, or even watching television can keep our brains active and affect our sleeping habits.
Reduce stress by reading a good book before bed.
Practicing deep breathing and meditation is a great way to soothe the mind.

Next up is the importance of diet and exercise. When trying to cut anxiety, you want to steer clear of caffeine and sugary drinks such as soda or coffee. Caffeine is a stimulant to our central nervous system which can cause more harm than good to a person with an anxiety disorder. A vitamin deficiency is another major element to assess. Lacking essential vitamins such as the B-vitamins or vitamin-D, can cause an increase in anxiety. Consult with your primary care physician before making these diet changes. What we put in our bodies affects us from the inside, out!

Including at least 30 minutes of exercise into your day can improve the quality of your life tremendously. Exercising releases endorphins that can actually increase energy, reduce anxiety, boost happiness, and self-esteem. Considering trying yoga, taking a walk, or even a short run just to get your blood flowing. Not only is exercise good for our physical health, but it is good for our mental wellbeing as well.

When battling anxiety, it is important to not only evaluate yourself but also your surroundings. Check-in on how your personal relationships are with your friends, family, and colleagues. Surrounding yourself with positive, loving energy can truly reflect on your own mental state. Never be afraid to put yourself first and do some much needed self-care.

Lastly, we are ending with some recommended self-care tips. Try picking up a new, relaxing hobby for something you can look forward to. Here are some relaxing activities that can reduce stress and anxiety:

Consider taking up journaling, writing down everything that has bottled up inside can be a great way to lift some anxiety off of your shoulders.
Cuddle up with a good book in your free time.
Create a music playlist of your favorite songs that lift your spirits.
Meditation is a common activity that is used to relax, but it really can settle your mind.

Taking care of yourself is always most important and your feelings are valid. If you would like more information about getting proper care, please contact us. You are not alone on this journey.

Loading Conversation

« Previous