GUEST POST | 5 HEALTHY LIFESTYLE TIPS TO HELP REDUCE ANXIETY.

Saturday, 1 February 2020

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Anxiety affects people in many different ways, and anyone who suffers, or has suffered, with anxiety in the past will know what a troubling time it can be. Fortunately, with awareness increasing and the wellness industry booming, many people can find ways to help reduce the impact of anxiety on their daily lives.

We all want to be happy and healthy, which ties in wonderfully with much of the advice that surrounds tips on how to reduce those anxious feelings and worries. Here are some healthy lifestyle choices you can make to help.

Mindfulness


Mindfulness is one of those things that many of us do without even realising it. If you’ve ever taken a minute to enjoy the moment, be that in nature or with friends and family, that’s you being mindful. To use mindfulness as a tool to reduce anxiety, you need to use it regularly to connect with your body, thoughts and emotions. By taking the time to get to know yourself, you can begin to understand what may be causing your worries and anxieties.

It is also becoming more and more popular to apply mindfulness to exercise; this is a brilliant double-up as exercise can help to reduce the body’s levels of cortisol, which is the hormone responsible for feeling stressed. Win-win.

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Self-Care


Practising self-care can be beneficial to anybody, but those suffering from mental health issues may find it particularly helpful in providing a much-needed mood boost. Self-care is defined uniquely by each individual as it is simply a broad term used to cover any activity that makes you feel happy and calm. This can be treating yourself to something new, having a relaxing soak or just chilling out doing nothing.

The trick to self-care is ensuring that you make time as it is often something that gets left at the wayside when our schedules get hectic. It is important reflection time, and a little self-indulgence is perfectly okay.

Reduce Social Media Time


While on the one hand, social media is a fantastic way to stay connected with friends and family, on the other, too much of it can be damaging to our productivity and self-esteem. Furthermore, studies have shown that too much time spent on our favourite platforms can promote feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety.

If you feel as though you’ve been scrolling too much, put down your tablet or phone and tell yourself you are not going to use it again for an allotted time, an hour for example. Use this time instead to take a walk, watch some TV or a film you love or do something creative. Remember that the way that people portray their lives on social media is not reality.

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Hemp Oil


Hemp oil is having a bit of a moment, and the general consensus is that it is for a good reason. There are several reasons that hemp is used for anxiety. Firstly, multiple studies have shown that hemp can help to alleviate the symptoms of depression and anxiety in sufferers, as it is thought that hemp may help to boost serotonin production.

Secondly, hemp is also known to regulate sleep cycles and improve the quality of sleep. Sleep is so important when it comes to both mental and physical health, and sleep troubles are often a prevalent symptom displayed when people are suffering from mental health problems. Using hemp oil regularly before bed can help you to drift off into a peaceful sleep.

Avoid Stimulants


Anxious feelings may tempt us to reach for a comfort snack or a cigarette, but it’s actually better to avoid stimulants during this time. Caffeine is also best avoided as research shows that stimulants can worsen the symptoms of anxiety and even trigger them.

What are your best anxiety-busting tips? Share the love in the comments!

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