As the years have gone by, society has become more accepting of mental health issues. Nowadays, you can expect many people to discuss their struggles with issues like depression and anxiety, whether with friends, therapists or in an online space.
These improvements have made it easier to seek help and find resources, yet it doesn’t always solve the problem, and many still experience bouts of anxiety (among other issues). In some cases, these issues can be debilitating, so how can you manage your anxiety?
Identify the Cause
There are a variety of reasons why you might experience anxiety. Causes can include past traumas, a lack of confidence, or even unexplainable reasons that cause your anxiety to spike–often at the worst moments.
If you can identify the cause of your anxiety, you can take steps to work on the issue. Professional help could be available to teach you coping techniques. If not, you may want to look at why you feel anxious in specific situations and consider how this became a thing.
Seek Solutions
Once you’ve identified the cause of your anxiety, it’s time to seek solutions. Suppose you feel anxious about your health and hygiene. Speaking to a doctor or dentist could settle your nerves.
Another example could be losing hair as you get older. Although many people don’t consider it a huge deal, you might love your hair and connect it to your identity. Using products like Minoxidil to prevent hair loss could benefit you while you explore additional solutions that mitigate hair loss or learn to come to terms with going bald.
Get A Pet
You may already be aware of the connection between pets and mental health, but if not, getting a pet can help manage your anxiety. Emotional support animals can help you stay calm in stressful situations while getting home at the end of the day to see your dog wagging their tail is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face.
Your pet will also encourage you to change your lifestyle. You might become more active and think about more than just sitting around all day doing nothing. Your pet will want to play, and you have to look after them, so you can find purpose in getting a pet.
Get More Sleep
Experts have highlighted that sleep deprivation can be a major cause of anxiety as it affects your stress hormone (cortisol), which increases stress and anxiety levels. If you go to bed late and wake up early, you aren’t getting enough sleep to recharge properly. This issue can manifest in poor performance at work and overall exhaustion, which makes it impossible to function.
To overcome this problem, you need to adjust your sleep schedule and stick to it. Instead of going to sleep past midnight and waking up at six AM, go to bed earlier so you can get at least eight hours of sleep.
Organise Your Life
Another potential cause for anxiety could be a disorganised life. If you leave everything until the last minute or never clean up your home, you are more likely to experience anxiety because there is no order.
Taking time to organise your life and develop a routine can make a huge difference to ensure you feel in control of as much as possible.
Exercise
Health anxiety is a common issue. People know they should be healthier, but they can’t push themselves to start. Finding an exercise routine that works for you is one solution for ensuring you can alleviate some of your anxiety. You don’t need to go to the gym all the time, so taking it slow and gradually building exercise habits can make a huge difference.
Workouts release endorphins and distract you from your anxiety. Soon enough, you’ll create a positive association with exercise, so you will always find time to get in a quick workout.
Separate Yourself From Triggers
You can work so hard to overcome your anxiety only for it to come crashing down out of nowhere. Because of this, it’s important to understand what triggers your anxiety and consider whether you can avoid these triggers. You shouldn’t hide from the world, but you can identify what isn’t good for you and take steps to cut it out of your life as much as possible.
Calm
Anxiety can affect anyone, regardless of their age, gender, or situation. You can see a therapist to help manage anxiety, but this is not always an option. Instead, these tips can provide at-home solutions to manage anxiety and feel more confident in yourself. You may not overcome your anxiety entirely, but you will be able to live the life you want without worrying about severe anxiety issues.