In a fast paced world that can’t cut a slack for us, especially for the later generations, there has been a considerable increase in the number of people suffering from anxiety disorders. If you’ve been relentlessly working on tackling your frequent bouts of anxiety, here are some scientifically proven ways to get rid of anxiety.
- Shout it out
Yes, literally! Let out all your pent-up frustrations and anxiety by shouting at the top of your voice. Screaming was one thing we loved to do as kids, wasn’t it? But when we grew up, we lost autonomy over being cranky at our own disposition. However, when you scream, make sure you don’t scare anyone. It’s always better to find a safe space where you can vent out without anyone noticing. This way, you embrace anxiety as a part of your life. Another alternative include scribbling hard on a plain white paper, punching into a pillow or stomping your feet.
- Get Moving
Physical activity is as important as breathing, if you look at the overall health of your body. When you sit still in one place for long hours, it is easier for anxiety to take a toll on your body and mind. But when you get moving, it raises our endorphin and serotonin levels in the body, eventually uplifting your mood.
- Limit Your Caffeine Intake
Some people can’t literally function without coffee. ‘Cause that’s the extent of what caffeine can do to one’s body. The caffeine content in coffee instantly boosts your energy levels by giving your nervous system a jolt. But when you’re under pressure, this nervous energy can induce anxiety attacks. Now, the idea of decaffeinating your body might be anxiety-inducing. But you can work a way around it instead of giving it up cold turkey.
- Get Enough Sleep
Sometimes it’s hard to get an all night’s sleep due to your busy schedule. But did you know that purposely limiting your amount of sleep can affect your brain and also induce anxiety? So, do yourself a favour: instead of bragging about being a workaholic, you should just get offline and punctually put yourself to bed every day. You wouldn’t believe the results.
- Learn to Say ‘No’
Saying ‘no’ to someone can be overwhelming. But when you have so many things already on your plate, it is always ideal to dodge any more situational drama into your life. The key here is to understand your boundaries and knowing your limitations before you agree to spend time on a certain experience/person/work etc.
- Never Skip A Meal
For many anxious individuals, consuming food on time might not be on the top of their list. However, it should be noted that skipping meals can worsen your anxiety due to lowered sugar levels and release of cortisol, a stress hormone, into your bloodstream. So, once again, remember to eat healthy and eat on time.
- Know Your Exit Strategy
When anxiety hits you out of nowhere, you might be thrown out of the driver seat of your life. For instance, if you get an anxiety attack while at work, you might find it hard to control your instincts. But don’t worry. You can help yourself by identifying your triggers and taking steps to cope up with the circumstances.