Anxiety is something that is very common both in the United States and the world as a whole. In fact, it is estimated that 264 million people around the globe suffer from anxiety. Since this is such a widespread problem, the question is no longer how to avoid anxiety. With the fast-paced world that we live in, there are going to be times of stress and anxiety. Therefore, instead of trying to figure out how to avoid it, let’s shift the focus. Here are 5 of the best tips for managing anxiety in your life:
1. Understanding Mindfulness
There is no question that anxiety can leave a person feeling alone. While the anxiety itself might be unavoidable, the response can be controlled. With the use of mindfulness practices, you can significantly improve your psychological, cognitive, and even physical health. The concept of mindfulness means shifting your focus to awareness of the present moment. Therefore, mindfulness allows individuals to shift their attention to what is happening in their current situation, rather than being drawn into physiological sensations.
2. Breathwork
There are a variety of breathing exercises that can reduce anxiety and calm your mind. Deep breathing allows your body to take in enough oxygen, which can slow down the heart and reduce blood pressure and signal relaxation. There are a variety of breathwork methods available such as box breathing, belly breathing, and 4-7-8 breathing, but the key seems to be in lengthening the exhale.
3. Physical Exercise
The toll of anxiety is just as significant as the anxiety itself. It can increase a person’s risk of falling into other psychological problems such as depression and can even lead to other health issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems. The way to balance this is by getting physical exercise to stay mentally and physically healthy. Engaging in exercise diverts you from the things that you are anxious about, and it also decreases muscle tension and builds up resources that bolster resilience.
4. Journaling
Managing anxiety is crucial to maintaining a healthy mental balance. When you let negative emotions control the way you think and act, you will find yourself in a rut that is hard to get out of. One of the best ways to release feelings of stress and anxiety is by journaling. You will find that the simple act of writing down your thoughts on paper will give you a way to release those negative emotions. It is also important to journal the positive experiences of life as well so you can look back on those during times of hardship.
5. Health Services
At AIM for Wellbeing, we provide a variety of health services that can help with a number of psychological problems, including anxiety. Medical acupuncture has been proven to treat a number of issues related to mental health. This is done by stimulating the body to release natural chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. During the acupuncture treatment, single-use, very fine, hair-like needles will be placed in various therapeutic areas of your body. We also offer an ACE treatment that combines medical acupuncture in conjunction with chiropractic care and energy healing.
6. Natural Supplements
In addition to our health services and focus areas, we also have a number of natural supplements that can be used to manage anxiety. Fundamental Stress Recovery is a formula that blends holy basil, ashwagandha root extract, Rhodiola rosea root extract, eleuthero root extract, Schisandra berry extract, and licorice root extract. This combination strengthens the body’s stress response as well as improves stress resilience. Another supplement we offer is Fundamental Stress Reduction, which is formulated to help your body fight through all three phases of stress and anxiety.
Would you like to learn more about managing anxiety and other mental health conditions? Take a deeper look into our focus areas to see how our methods of integrative and functional medicine can benefit you!
