8 Ways To Try And Prevent Anxiety

A lot of times, people ignore signs of anxiety. They might think nothing is wrong even though they are feeling nervous or tense all the time. The truth is that if you feel stressed out, you probably should see a doctor to make sure there’s nothing wrong with your health.

Here are some symptoms to look for:

• Restlessness: aches and pains, jitters.
• Unable to sit still: fidgeting, wiggling feet and hands, getting up and down from a seated position frequently.
• Heart racing: feeling like your heart is pounding or beating especially hard; it might feel fluttery too – either way could indicate atrial fibrillation, which can be dangerous.
• Clenching jaw: tightening the muscles in your jaw; sometimes you might clench or grind your teeth too. Grinding them together can cause pain and damage to dental enamel. If this happens, schedule an appointment at your local family run dentist to assist you.
• Trouble breathing: you might feel like you’re not getting enough air or have a shortness of breath.
• Feeling nauseous: feeling sick to your stomach is a normal side-effect of intense negative feelings – having an intense feeling with nausea is more severe and can indicate a panic attack.

These are all signs of anxiety. If you feel any of these, or if you feel like something’s not right, but you aren’t sure what it is, see a doctor. They will be able to help you figure out what’s going on and how to proceed.

How to prevent anxiety:

Exercise regularly

Exercises like running or biking can release endorphins that improve mood and reduce anxiety. Also, go outside and get some sunlight – it’ll make your body produce vitamin D, which boosts mood. It will also help you be more alert and prepared for life’s challenges.

Eat healthier

Healthier bodies are stronger bodies; eat more fruits and veggies, drink more water, limit alcohol consumption.

Get enough sleep

Lack of sleep makes your body more prone to stress, so be sure you’re getting 7-8 hours each night.

Avoid stimulants

Caffeine, nicotine, etc. only increase the effects of anxiety, so stay away from them if you have a tendency towards this kind of thing.

Do yoga or meditation

These are great for stress management and can help you stay calm even when things seem to be going haywire.

Practice muscle relaxation

Tense and relax your muscles one at a time, starting from the top of your head down to your toes. Focus on relaxing each muscle as you go.

Practice good posture

Slouching can make you feel worse, so keep your back straight and keep your head up. Don’t shrug your shoulders too; take a deep breath now and then to help you stay calm.

Keep a journal

Jot down how you’re feeling several times a day so that when something happens that makes you feel anxious; you can look back and see what was going on that day. This will help you identify patterns or situations that might be triggers for anxiety.

If you experience warning signs

Be calm – try not to get worked up over things that might cause you stress. If you’re aware of your triggers, do your best to avoid them or at least reduce their effects.

Don’t ignore them – if you think there’s something wrong with your health, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with a doctor and follow up on it.

*This is a collaboration post