Anxiety and stress are the body's natural reactions to its environment. Feelings of exhaustion, fear, and worry may arise as a result of a variety of genetic or environmental factors.
Anxiety is a common side effect of a busy life for most people. But it isn't always bad, as it can help you become more aware of danger, motivate you to become more structured, and help you calculate risks.
When it comes to anxiety, one must consider the fact that unchecked anxiety can lead to significant stress, which can negatively impact one's quality of life.
Ways to reduce stress and anxiety naturally are highlighted in an excerpt published Monday on Mental Daily by American psychology writer Joey Florez. Florez is the creator of Mental Daily, whose work on mental health and well-being has appeared in online newspapers, magazines, radio, and television outlets.
First, exercise regularly.
The advantages of physical activity cannot be overstated. Exercise is not only good for your physical health, but it can also help you with stress.
Staying active helps to divert your attention away from the source of your stress or anxiety. It also enhances brain chemistry and boosts concentration and willpower.
Second, practice mindfulness and meditation.
Meditation works by increasing nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment. As a result, it can contribute to a sense of calm and improve one's ability to tolerate all thoughts and feelings.
Meditation can help alleviate stress and anxiety. Mindfulness meditation, which involves closing one's eyes, breathing deeply, and paying attention to one's thoughts as they pass through the mind, is a popular practice for many.
Third, practice deep breathing.
Deep breathing is one of the most common ways to reduce stress and anxiety. Slow and deep breathing can help reduce a racing heart, dizziness, or even an anxiety attack.
Deep breathing techniques that are commonly used include balloon breaths, breathing words, and square breathing.
Fourth, limit caffeine consumption.
Caffeine is a widely used psychoactive stimulant that is used to help people get through their busy lives. However, for many people, it may have the opposite effect.
Caffeine may exacerbate nervousness and jitters if stress and anxiety levels are high. Caffeine has been shown in studies to improve cognition, such as concentration, but not stress or anxiety.
Fifth, do not drink alcohol.
Lower alcohol consumption can reduce stress and anxiety on multiple levels. Heavy drinking is known to alter brain chemistry, disrupt the body's natural ability to sleep, and exacerbate stress or anxiety.
Avoiding alcohol can be beneficial for reducing stress and anxiety. For some, cutting back on alcohol should be done gradually and in accordance with the advice of a medical professional.
And finally, sixth, avoid smoking cigarettes.
People who smoke cigarettes may be tempted to do so during stressful situations. However, smoking, like drinking, can exacerbate stress and anxiety over time.
Research has shown that smoking cigarettes may increase the likelihood of experiencing more severe anxiety in the long term. Furthermore, the chemicals in cigarettes may have an effect on brain chemistry linked to anxiety.
