Disclaimer: These are not cures or solutions, these are things that may help mitigate or manage anxiety. If you have severe anxiety it is advised to seek a medical professional and/or obtain prescribed medication.
There is a difference between occasionally being anxious and having anxiety disorder. Anxiety is a feeling of worry or nervousness over certain situations or uncertain outcomes. It is a very common human feeling/emotion. However, if anxiety lingers, and disrupts your everyday life, interactions, and personal relationships, it may be more serious than you think. If you suspect that you suffer from anxiety disorder, here is a test to show if you are exhibiting symptoms.
These are some tips that may help you manage your anxiety:
Physical exercise – Numerous studies have shown that exercise can help with anxiety. Any form of physical activity increases your blood flow, and in turn, impacts your physical (cardiovascular) and mental health positively. It is advised to engage in physical exercise at least 20 minutes a day.
Meditation – Meditation often relaxes us and relieves us of anxiety symptoms. Whether you’re sitting in a quiet room and listening to calm music, praying or performing breathing exercises, meditation is a sure fire way to relax. Some helpful meditation apps are Calm and Headspace.
Reduce caffeine intake – Caffeine is a notorious trigger for anxiety. It makes you jittery & restless and exacerbates common anxiety symptoms. Reducing your intake of coffee, soda, and other caffeine infused beverages may help control and manage your anxiety.
Quit smoking – This is particularly for cigarette smokers. Not only is tobacco not good for your physical health, it is also extremely damaging to your mental health and may trigger excessive anxiety symptoms. Avoid tobacco at all costs.
Cannabis – Cannabis use is becoming exceedingly common for dealing with anxiety symptoms. According to this article, these are the 10 best weed strains for anxiety; Purple Urkle (Indica), Cannatonic (Hybrid), Canna-Tsu (Hybrid), ACDC (Hybrid), Blue Dream (Hybrid), Strawberry Cough (Sativa), One to One (Hybrid), Afghan Kush (Indica), Critical Mass (Indica), Jack Herer (Sativa). Marijuana is legalized in many places (including all of Canada), so if you can obtain any of these strains to deal with your anxiety, go right ahead.
Scents – Aromatherapy is a kind of therapy that is conducted through scents. Certain scents and essential oils help with our mental and physical well being. They calm us down and reduce anxiety & stress. Some of these scents include; valerian, lavender, jasmine, sweet basil, chamomile, frankincense, sage & many others. For more information on this, visit here.
Doing things you enjoy – Engaging in activities we enjoy can do wonders for our moods and lower our anxiety levels. We often feel at peace when we are doing things we love. Listening to music, going to the movies, eating, singing, dancing, painting, drawing, creating, writing, talking to your mom/dad, reading, getting a massage, getting your nails done, getting a new wig installed and getting an eyebrow wax are just some examples of activities that some people may enjoy. Do these things when you can.
Taking a break – Don’t be afraid to call in sick, drop your phone, snuggle up in bed and just relax. We are all busy working hard, but we need days off too. Don’t feel bad for taking a day off from work for your mental health. Preserve your sanity. Also, don’t be afraid to take a day off from life in general to regroup and recuperate. This is vital to reducing stress and anxiety.
Get adequate sleep – It’s time to fix your body clocks, because sleep deprivation leads to diminished brain functionality and can massively impact our mental health. Sometimes we are busy, and we can’t fit enough sleep into our schedule, but it’s important to work our around that and ensure we sleep properly. Try to get as much sleep as you can. Inadequate sleep can lead to anxiety and other issues, which in turn can lead to more inadequate sleep. If you’re having trouble sleeping, pop some Melatonin pills and relax.
I’m not a mental health professional, and i don’t claim to be one. These are tips i have learnt through professionals, and articles i have read. If you need more resources on anxiety be sure to seek professional help. Also, check out this website for more information regarding anxiety.
As always, thank you for reading this, and let me know if you have any questions or comments!
Shéri Koko 
Hi Sheri,
I really appreciate your tips. I especially find that when I make a point of eating nutritionally dense food, such as avocados and bananas, I feel less anxious. From what I have read, sometimes hormonal or nutritional imbalances can also impact anxiety.
Taking a walk in the sunlight can also help with Vitamin D. Vitamin D, from what I have read, can help lower the risk of depression. Just being in nature is a great comfort, of course.
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