Good Habits to Help Ease Everyday Anxiety

As the year comes to a close, many people are evaluating aspects of their health, wellness, and overall well-being. An important aspect of our overall health and wellness includes our mental health. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges in the general population. 

So what can you do to work towards a goal of less anxiety and more overall health and wellness in this next year? The answers may not be as complex as you think.

Today we are going to take the time to explore simple steps that you can take to improve your anxiety symptoms on a daily basis.

Sleep.

Many people who struggle with anxiety symptoms also report challenges with sleep. A recent Harvard study reports that poor sleep is correlated with higher anxiety rates. (1) The great thing about this finding is, typically, better sleep improves anxiety symptoms, and better management of anxiety tends to improve sleep symptoms. Just as the opposite is true. So if you are considering ways to improve your anxiety symptoms and overall anxiety management, addressing poor sleep habits may be a great first step that you can take on a daily basis to work towards your goals.

Diet.

One of the most common changes that individuals will make during the time of New Year’s resolutions and evaluations of healthy goals include changes in eating habits and diet. But have you ever considered that diet may have an impact on anxiety symptoms and mental health? The Mayo Clinic reports that there are correlations between certain eating habits and the anxiety symptoms of individuals in a recent study (2). The results of the study encourage individuals with the following tips:

• Pay attention to eating more protein

• Consider complex carbs over simple carbs and refined sugars

• Limit alcohol consumption

• Pay attention to what foods your body may be sensitive to or if anxiety tends to increase after certain types of foods are eaten

• Be conscious of water consumption and avoid dehydration

• Be aware of how much caffeine you are consuming and how caffeine impacts the way that you feel

Exercise. 

Exercise is another common goal that is made as a part of New Year’s resolutions, that also may have a tremendous impact on anxiety management. Another Harvard health report notes that individuals who experience high levels of anxiety tend to be more sedentary in their lifestyle, and, that aerobic exercise appears to be an incredibly effective tool in managing and reducing anxiety symptoms. (3)

So lace up those sneakers, pull out the bikes, take the dog for a walk, and let’s get moving this year.

Find a pause or mindful moment.

And finally, one additional habit that is probably the easiest to incorporate into your daily routine is finding a moment for mindfulness. Another Harvard researcher reports that mindfulness, meditation, daily practices of reflection or presence, and other habits centered on pause or connection with the moment can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms in the long term. (4)

So whether you are simply finding a moment to focus on breathing, connecting with nature, utilizing some form of imagery resource, connecting with spiritual practices, or finding a moment to pause in your own unique way, taking a moment to slow down may be a great habit to build to achieve your anxiety management goals.

And if you were considering taking your mental health and wellness even more seriously in the coming year, therapy for anxiety may be a great additional step. Our team of trained therapists is ready to assist you in reaching your anxiety treatment goals. Whether through online therapy services or in person at our Arlington, Texas based therapy practice, we would love to serve you and support you as you reach your next health and wellness goals.