Take action against Anxiety
A professional therapist is best qualified to help overcome anxiety disorders, but there are some simple tactics you can consider to manage anxiety:
- Avoid or limit caffeine - coffee, tea, caffeinated sodas and energy drinks acts as stimulants and can increase symptoms of anxiety as well as trigger panic attacks.
- Quit smoking - nicotene is a stimulant and can lead to higher levels of anxiety.
- Get adequate sleep - Sleep deprivation can lead to an increase in anxiety and good sleep is essential for maintaining health and keeping stress levels down.
- Watch your diet - try to decrease the intake of refined sugars and simple carbohydrates while eating foods high in magnesium, phosphorous, calcium and potassium, all of which help restore nutrients depleted during times of stress.
- Exercise - working out releases endorphins, which are natural "feel good" hormones that can positively affect mood. Exercise has also been found to decrease levels of stress which can reduce the incidence of anxiety.
- Learn to relax -find a relaxation technique that works for you and use it to combat stress and decrease anxiety. Among the techniques are meditation, yoga, guided imagery and breathing techniques (you can refer to the information found about Alternative therapies as part of Health Practitioners under the navigation tab for Health and Wellness).
- Talk to a friend - often just discussing the issues bothering you can help alleviate stress.
