Emily Akers: Certified Personal Trainer
Anxiety. One of the things we all have experienced, but is not always discussed. Anxiety can be caused by any number of things. There are a variety of coping mechanisms that can help get you through it. While not every strategy will work for you, pick what works the best.
1). Exercise. No matter what type of exercise your prefer, it will help relieve your anxiety symptoms. Exercising releases your natural ‘feel-good’ endorphins. If you only exercise once to help relieve anxiety, your anxiety will be reduced short term. As you continue to exercise you naturally will gain more confidence and have now learned to cope in a healthy way. Try to get in the habit of exercising.
2). Herbal. There are a variety of herbs that you can take to help reduce your anxiety. L-theanine, ashwaganda, lemon balm, and chamomile are just few. These are particularly good to have around the house if you only get anxiety occasionally. Once you feel you are getting anxiety, or are in a stressful situation, these will be easily accessible to you. Please do your research and talk to your doctor before starting any herbal remedies.
3). Reduce stimulants. Stimulants, such as caffeine and nicotine, increases your anxiety. The stimulants excite your nervous system which could cause you to have exacerbated anxiety. If you drink coffee on a regular basis, one cup of coffee will not make your anxiety worse. While reducing stimulants will not cure your anxiety, it will only help reduce the likelihood of getting anxiety.
4). Relaxation. This one is very important. If you are unable to sleep, then your body is not able to repair itself properly. If your body can not repair itself, this stress and anxiety can build up, eventually even causing an anxiety disorder and hormonal changes. Try to get seven to nine hours of sleep. Another way to relax is through meditation. If these are all still not possible for you, try to spend five to ten minutes doing something that you thoroughly enjoy. This may be through dancing, journaling, or taking a bath.
Anxiety does not have to ruin your day to day living. While these are not all of the coping strategies, these can help get you started. Before you start any new exercise or herbal routine, please consult to your doctor.