Anxiety can affect every facet of your life: from filling your thoughts to keeping you from the things you love. While medications may help reduce your feelings of anxiety, other long-term solutions also can help you find relief from anxiety through behavioral changes and activities that take your mind off the thoughts that cause stress.
Step 1
Exercise. According to Indiana University, physical exertion helps to produce hormones that boost a person's ability to cope with stress. Examples of positive activities that are low-cost includes jogging, speed walking and running. Martial arts activities also focus on improving concentration, which also may help you achieve reduced anxiety.
Step 2
Meditate in order to clear your mind and eliminate outside distractions. This simple activity helps you take some time for yourself. Find a quiet place, close your eyes and take in a full, deep breath, then exhale. You may find repeating a positive affirmation or favorite quote can help to clear your mind. Or, if a distracting thought comes into your head, do not further contemplate the thought, but instead let it leave the mind.
Step 3
Eat a healthy diet that does not include high-sugar foods, trans fats or caffeine. All of these foods can cause the blood sugar to spike or the heart to race, which can further exacerbate your anxiety and mood swings. A healthful diet also helps you to maintain a healthy weight and give you more energy, which can reduce troublesome anxiety symptoms.
Step 4
Take herbal remedies, which may help further support the brain. Examples include flaxseed oil, kava kava, valerian or St. John's Wort, according to The Diet Channel. The medications can further support the brain's functions, which can reduce symptoms of anxiety.
Step 5
Rest between seven and nine hours per night. Sleep improves your brain function and helps you focus, giving you the tools you need to make it through your day in a high-functioning manner. Because anxiety can make it difficult to sleep, if you find yourself having difficulties falling asleep, wake up and journal, listen to relaxing music or engage in other activities that soothe your mind. Refrain from giving into negative or anxiety-inducing thoughts, and you will find yourself sleeping better at night.
Things You'll Need
- Herbal remedies, such as flaxseed oil
