Five Ways to Reduce Anxiety

Here are five ways you can reduce your anxiety.

1.  Sleep – Yes I know you know this, but seriously put your phone down and get some sleep, according to the National Heart Lung, and Blood Institute.  Sleep helps the brain stay healthy by allowing it to create new pathways and help you remember information better.  It also allows you to stay focused and be more creative…who doesn’t need that?!?! Being focused can reduce your anxiety levels significantly.  Try it and let me know if you see a difference.  (NHLBI)
2. Limit your Substance Intake – When I say substances I mean Alcohol. Recreational drugs, nicotine, and caffeine.  Wow, what a buzz-kill party pooper I am, right?  Now I am not saying stop completely, but as with everything in life, balance is the key.  According to a 2019 publication and a 2020 review, there is a real link between anxiety and alcohol use.  In a 2020 review, there is evidence that smoking and anxiety often coexist. 
3. Stress Management Practices – Now we are talking…this is the feel good stuff I love facilitating in my practice.  Things such as mindfulness, journaling, exercise, meditation, creativity and using your imagination.   I could honestly go on for days about these and there will be future posts about them, but for now know there things you can do to that can help calm your nervous system and give you relief. 
4. Gut Health – Anxiety is not just a brain issue.  There is a connection between gut health and anxiety and both affect one another mutually.  According to Harvard Health, stress can induce physical symptoms of anxiety in the body mainly in the gut.
5. Talk to Someone – It is helpful to find someone who can listen without judgement and without unsolicited advice.  If you don’t have a friend or family member that can offer that to you then contact a professional health care provider like me.  There are also mental health helplines that are great options too.  No matter who you reach out to know that talking about it allows you to process the emotions rather than staying stuck in them.