6 Unique Ways To Help Everyday Anxiety

Luckily for us, these days there are multiple ways to get rid of anxiety, or at least cope with it successfully. Whether you decide to do it with the use of medication or with natural remedies, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel to those nasty panic attacks and constant worrying. And anxiety is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. Even though at a basic level it is considered to be a normal human condition, like anger, there are deeper levels to explore. Anxiety can arise from just about anything: school, work, and relationships — everyday stressors. But if not treated properly, it can worsen and become a serious mental illness.

It can destroy the human spirit and be crippling on the brain. I only realized this recently on how dangerous anxiety order can be. Most people, after doing research on the topic, may find that they, too, have anxiety. Personally, before learning about the subject, I thought the way I felt was completely normal (because worrying 24/7 seems absolutely natural, right?). While I believe my condition has risen from my childhood, I have been trying to figure out ways to deal with it on my own. Even though seeing a therapist is always a good idea, if you don't have the time or money to do so, here are some easy ways to ease the stress in your life:

1. Laugh Out Loud

If you feel like your anxiety is creeping up, try watching something that will make you laugh. According to Gaiam Life, a healthy living site, laughter reduces stress hormone levels and can also result in higher immune system. By laughing, you are relaxing in a natural way without the use of any medication or chemicals. I guess that Netflix comedy show you have been dying to watch can now be considered a new form of medicine. Not the worst thing in the world, right?

2. Question Your Thoughts

Sometimes anxiety occurs when you have a lot on your plate and on your brain. You start to think about all these things and soon, your stress levels are going through the roof. If you feel like you are on the verge of a panic attack, then try questioning your thoughts. According to Psych Central, Tom Corboy, MFT, founder and executive director of the OCD Center of Los Angeles and co-author of the upcoming book The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD said, “When people are anxious, their brains start coming up with all sorts of outlandish ideas, many of which are highly unrealistic and unlikely to occur.” Our minds can be our biggest obstacles and sometimes we have to question it to realize how serious the situation really is.

3. Learn To Breathe

Focusing on your internal self is probably one of the best ways to overcome everyday anxiety. By doing yoga or meditation, you are allowing yourself to explore and control your inner mind. According to Psychology Today, try to be aware of your breathing and give 10 minutes of your day to solitude and positive energy. Even when you aren't mediating or doing yoga, try practicing breathing during your daily actives. Think calm thoughts with an open mind and soon you will start to view your world a more peaceful mind.

4. Create A To-Do List

Once you have everything on paper, it will help put into perspective exactly what you have to do. For me, I feel my brain loses focus and starts to panic once I start mentally going over everything that I have to do. According to List Producer, a productivity and lifestyle site, making a list will ease those fears because once you start writing things down, your stress levels will drop.

5. Eat Healthy Foods

Some of the best stress relievers are in the inside of your fridge. Foods like asparagus, oatmeal, and oranges are just a few choices you can have that will lower your anxiety, according to Prevention. A lot of these foods have so many benefits it's hard to keep up. Oatmeal, for example, is a complex carbohydrate that helps produce serotonin, which also happens to help reduce stress. With a healthy balanced diet, you can reduce anxiety and start enjoying life.

6. Remove Caffeine

While coffee is our best friend for everything and anything, it might be the culprit for a lot of your anxiety problems. Because caffeine is a stimulant, it can cause you to feel extra jittery, which could possibly actually trigger an anxiety attack. According to Mind, Body, Green, there have been plenty of studies that have been conducted based on the correlation between depression and caffeine. For instance, a study conducted at the University of South Alabama directed by Larry Christensen found that seven out of 16 depressed patients were depressed during the caffeine and sugar challenge, but free of those symptoms when they weren't on it. While artificial sugar is linked to depression as well, the combination of sugar and caffeine seems to heighten anxiety and depression.

Even though having anxiety is a challenge in itself, it can be control with a few of these tricks. By eating healthy, enjoying life, and removing caffeine, you too can be on the path to a stress-free life.

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