7 Best Advice For Relaxation And Anxiety Relief

Anxiety and stress are commonplace today. Anxiety disorders affect 18.1% of the adult population in the United States each year. Factors like financial obligations, familial responsibilities, health concerns, and job issues serve as precursors for chronic stress and anxiety. Plus, dispositions like genetics, social support, and your personality influence your susceptibility to stress and anxiety. Moreover, it is observed that being parents, working in healthcare or social work profiles, and individuals belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community or people of color are more vulnerable to anxiety and stress.

However, no matter what your stress triggers are, you must minimize your chronic anxiety for your overall health. Also, chronic anxiety and stress can beget many health conditions like cardiovascular conditions and mental health disorders. This post will provide you with seven tips for relaxation and anxiety relief.

1. Get moving

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Getting your daily dose of exercise benefits your physical health and also improves symptoms of depression and anxiety. Several studies show that engaging in physical activity improves mood and helps reduce stress. Getting about 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise releases endorphins or feel-good hormones that can improve mood and relieve anxiety. However, a sedentary lifestyle is shown to increase stress and cause mood and sleep disorders.

If you are a couch potato, we advise you to start small. Begin by taking a walk or bike around your block. The key here is to remain consistent. You can choose any physical activity of your liking. This will help you to keep pursuing this activity long term.

2. Get proper nutrition

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Your diet plays an essential role in how you feel at any given moment. Your diet can act as a panacea for your frayed nerves and reduce anxiety. Studies have proven that individuals who consume a high sugar diet and more processed foods become more vulnerable to stress and anxiety. Plus, it is observed that stress triggers people to eat more appetizing but unhealthy food. Such unhealthy eating patterns can only aggravate stress and anxiety.

However, some foods help support brain function and lower your anxiety symptoms. Foods such as Salmon contain brain-promoting nutrients like vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients may help regulate serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters are said to have relaxing and calming properties. Additionally, try to include foods like turmeric, yogurt, green tea, nuts, and seeds to support brain health and alleviate anxiety symptoms.

3. Try yoga and meditation.

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Yoga is an ancient Indian form of exercise that is believed to alleviate anxiety and reduce stress. Inculcate yoga practice in your daily routine to experience a sense of calm and serenity. A yoga routine comprising asanas, breathing exercises, and meditation can do wonders for your physical and mental well-being. Several studies have shown the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to reduce anxiety disorders. Additionally, studies have shown that mindfulness meditation therapy moderately works in treating anxiety and mood disorders.

4. Try biofeedback

Biofeedback is a learned behavior where a person learns about stress-reducing skills. Information inputs about heart rate, muscle tension, and other vital health parameters are provided to the person in question as he consciously tries to relax. It is a means of gaining control over physical processes in the body that can trigger physical pain and tension throughout the body. The biofeedback method is helpful to gain insights into your body’s responses to stressful situations. This mechanism then helps you to manage stress better.

5. Get quality shut-eye

Sleep is vital for our overall health. Better sleep improves our productivity and improves our mood while helping us cope well with stressful situations. However, anxiety disorders can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Lack of sleep or insomnia can then further aggravate anxiety. This can become a vicious cycle. However, there are many ways to get restful sleep. Things such as establishing a regular sleep schedule, keeping the bedroom quiet and dark, and avoiding daytime naps are some interventions you can adopt.

6. Try THC products

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If you suffer from a chronic anxiety disorder, marijuana may be helpful. A 2017 national survey found that about 81% of the respondents felt that marijuana has many health benefits. Plus, half of these people vouched for using marijuana in treating anxiety and stress. For those not aware, marijuana comprises two active compounds, namely THC and CBD. THC is a psychoactive compound that produces the typical high that marijuana is associated with. At lower doses, THC is believed to alleviate anxiety. You can try out THC products like THC gummies to feel a sense of calm, feel relaxed, and induce sleep. CBD with low amounts of THC can also work for tackling anxiety. Consult your doctor before trying out any cannabis products to manage your health concerns.

7. Assert yourself

We, humans, are social beings. However, we often neglect our well-being in our attempt to live amicably and please others. It is perfectly alright to say “No” to demands on your energy and time. Otherwise, social demands may overwhelm you and eventually stress you out. Learn to place your interests first. It's okay if you cannot always fulfill the needs of other people.

The Bottomline

Chronic anxiety can play havoc on your overall health. Hence, you should proactively try to find a solution to your stress and anxiety concerns. The tips provided in the above sections can help you relax and cope better with anxiety symptoms. However, we advise you to talk to your doctor and find well-informed solutions.