Seven Tips For Bidding Anxiety Goodbye

According to various studies, anxiety disorders remain the most prevalent mental health condition in Australia, affecting approximately 28% of the population. As such, if you feel as though anxiety is ruling over your life, you aren’t alone.

However, it also means that you need to find an anxiety management strategy that works for you - here are some ideas to get you started!

Ditch the coffee. 

Coffee always seems like a great way to start your day, especially if you didn’t get much sleep the night before. However, it is also a powerful stimulant, which can often exacerbate some of the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as chest palpitations, shakiness, and dizziness. 

Therefore, you should avoid drinking too much (or any) coffee when your anxiety is bad, switching to decaf or drinking tea instead. The longer you can go without drinking coffee, the less dependent upon it you will become, which could also work wonders for your bank account.

Think about your gut health. 

Did you know that the food you eat can also affect your mental health? This means that learning more about gut health and how to properly nourish your body can go a long way toward reducing your anxiety. Ideally, you should follow a healthy, balanced diet while still allowing yourself the occasional treat.

Try CBD oil.

CBD Oil, such as Naturecan's cbd oil, can also be used to soothe anxiety and stress. This is because the product has a natural, calming effect on the mind and body. While they may be relatively new to the consumer market, CBD products have been used to this effect for centuries! 

Get professional help. 

In order to effectively manage our anxiety, we have to understand why we are feeling anxious. This is easier said than done, especially if it seems to have no specific trigger. Working with a licensed professional to process your thoughts, feelings, and emotions can, therefore, play a key role in your recovery. They’ll also help you to develop a range of effective coping mechanisms that you can rely on when things get tough - whether that be journaling or deep breathing exercises. 

If you aren’t sure where to start when it comes to therapy, reach out to your healthcare provider. They will be able to signpost you toward the relevant charities or organisations. Alternatively, you can ask friends and family who may already be in therapy for recommendations.

Keep stress down. 

Stress and anxiety tend to come hand in hand, so finding ways to effectively manage your stress is also crucial. This could include spending some time on your hobbies, exercising, or even simply taking a break when you need one. 

Develop an exercise routine. 

Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions, as working out can help increase your body’s production of hormones such as dopamine and serotonin. These hormones are often referred to as happiness hormones. It can also reduce or curb the production of cortisol, the stress hormone.

Furthermore, if you tend to isolate yourself as a result of your anxiety, exercise can help you to reintegrate into group activities, especially if you ask a friend to work out with you.  Exercise can also help you to get more sleep each night, which is something that many anxiety sufferers struggle with.

Make the most of online resources.

If you’re on the waiting list for therapy or want to explore other options, there are plenty of digital resources that can prove useful during this time. However, you should be sure to gather information from reputable, trusted sources, especially if it is medical in nature. 

There are also plenty of online helplines or discussion forums you can join, which give you the chance to talk openly about how you are feeling. Many people find it easier to open up ‘digitally’ than face to face, so this could be a great place to get some dialogue started and could mean that you feel more comfortable opening up to those around you afterward. 

Final Thoughts.

While anxiety can be overwhelming, it's important to realise there are many different ways to handle it and reduce the impact it has on your life. As such, you should be sure that you try out a range of different techniques, including those outlined above, until you find the right fit for you personally. 

Remember, there’s no shame in admitting you are having a hard time, and there are people around you who will help you every step of the way - you simply need to reach out.