Reducing Anxiety: How to Lower Your Stress Levels
Image via Pexels
Written by: Dorothy Watson
Date: 08/2022
Did you know that over 40 million adults in the U.S. suffer from anxiety disorders? Anxiety presents with excessive and persistent fear and worries in situations that may not be threatening. Stressors in your life can enhance anxiety, and if you do not have the tools to cope with them, it can worsen how you feel.
Fortunately, Hispanic Family Counseling has assembled some tips on relaxation, health, and support to help you reduce your symptoms and live a more stress-free and positive life.
Learn to Relax
According to the CDC, about one-third of all Americans have hypertension. While this condition has various causes, learning to reduce your anxiety can also help lower your blood pressure. If you overwork yourself, you put your body into a stress response and elevate your blood pressure. Understanding how to relax can keep your vitals stable and reduce your anxiety.
To calm your mind, try to take a few moments for yourself to relax. Close your eyes and concentrate on deep breathing. When you do this, you can avoid intrusive thoughts and bring your focus to the present. Other ways to relax include yoga and meditation. Try to set time aside in the morning to reduce anxiety after you wake up.
If your job is giving you anxiety, you may want to consider a career change. You can keep your current career while going to school to earn a new degree. If you enroll in an online school, you have more flexibility to work and continue your education. Some degrees you might consider include information technology, marketing, network engineering, and business administration.
Discover Healthy Habits
Developing healthy habits can reduce anxiety. When it comes to mental health, physical activity can improve long-term anxiety. For example, swimming, walking, and jogging are all activities that can help you deal with stress. When you exercise, you distract yourself from the tension and send chemicals through your body that help you manage stress.
In addition to increasing physical activity, you may want to think about your diet. There are some foods that can boost your serotonin, such as whole grains and complex carbohydrates. Start the day with a high-protein diet breakfast to keep your glucose levels steady throughout the day. Alcohol and caffeine affect your sleep and may put you on edge. Try to limit your intake of these substances.
Reach Out for Help
When you struggle with anxiety and panic attacks, you may need to reach out to a professional for support. There are plenty of online options for treatment, which allows you the freedom to address your own wellness from the comfort and safety of your own home. Costs
In addition to seeking the help of a professional, look to your support system. Having a strong support network of friends and family can boost your outlook on life. When you have negativity in your life, you can channel your energy into something more positive with the people you care about. Your support system can lift you up when you need it the most.
To prevent anxiety attacks and to help reduce your stress, you should develop healthy habits, lean on people who can help you, and practice relaxation techniques. The more you understand how anxiety affects you, the more likely you are to find ways to reduce its impact on your life.
At Hispanic Family Counseling, our goal is to assist you with your emotional and mental health needs. The extensive experience and quality of our clinicians will help you cope with life's situations while giving you professional tools to enhance your everyday life. Reach out today to get started!