“Anxiety is a normal, predictable part of life,” explains Tom Corboy, MFT, co-writer of the book The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD. However, in further words quoted by Psych Central, he adds that “people with an anxiety disorder are essentially phobic about the feeling state of anxiety.”
In truth, it’s possible to feel anxiety about “just about anything”. However, whether your own anxiety is just occasional or ongoing, the following, minor measures can help to ease your anguish.
Think through your anxious thoughts
A steady stream of dread-ridden thoughts might rush through your head as panic sets in. However, such thoughts can be “unrealistic, inaccurate or, to some extent, unreasonable,” says clinical psychologist Marla Deibler, PsyD. Therefore, you ought to challenge the “unhelpful” ones.
Examples of which would include “what ifs”, “all-or-nothing thinking” and “catastrophising”, as Deibler points out. As you scrutinise a particular worry, you could find that it is ill-founded. What’s the worst-case scenario you are fearing? Would things be that bad even if it did happen?
Get more physical activity into your routine
According to Corboy, getting regular cardiovascular exercise is among “the most important things one can do” to handle anxiety. Even just walking briskly for 30 to 60 minutes “releases endorphins that lead to a reduction in anxiety.” However, taking a walk could be just the starting point.
What physical activities do you enjoy? They might include running, rollerblading, cycling, dancing, swimming and football, any of which you could set aside some time for in your regular routine.
There should always be some exercise done every morning to get you feeling pumped, energised for the day. This could be as simple as some push-ups in the morning along with some sit-ups and the following:
- Plank
- Star jumps
- Burpees
These are simple exercises you can do in the comfort of your home but also you do in the gym. Being fit and healthy can help you feel better about yourself which can prevent anxiety.
Eat wiser to feel happier
It’s easy to compile a long list of foods associated with anxiety-busting. Research vouches for such benefits in zinc-rich foods like oysters, cashews and egg yolks, while avocado and almonds are both rich in B vitamins for keeping anxious feelings at bay, says Harvard Health Publishing.
As anxiety is also deemed correlated with lower total amounts of antioxidants, you could stock up on antioxidant-rich foods; think, say, blackberries, strawberries, walnuts, pecans and broccoli. You could also pepper your food with antioxidant-heavy spices like turmeric and ginger.
Ideally, the overall aim is to eat healthy whether that be through fruit, vegetables and fluids such as water. It is important to drink a lot throughout the day to keep you energised and hydrated especially in the summer. This can help you feel better and happier throughout the day.
Take a dose of CBD oil
CBD might come from the cannabis plant, but it won’t make you high – unlike THC, the best-known cannabis compound. If you source CBD oil that is legal to use in your country or territory, sampling this oil could help you to relieve anxiety, judging from anecdotal reports.
It’s crucial to emphasise that academic research into CBD’s anxiety-reducing properties is still limited. However, Good Housekeeping reports that vaping CBD oil makes especially efficient use of it. CBD vape pen kits are available from VSAVI. These kits contain no harmful ingredients to health such as nicotine although they come with a warning – the standard warning is needed due to TPD regulations as these are vaping devices, however, there is no nicotine in CBD e-liquids or any other harmful ingredients.
Accept your anxiety
Paradoxical though it might initially sound, doing this can put you under less pressure. After all, anxiety is “inevitable, but transitory,” says Corboy – and attempting to control and eliminate it can, in itself, add to your anxiety.
When anxiety does strike, just observe it, Deibler advises. “Think of it like a wave of the ocean; allow it to come in, experience it, and ride it out.”
Battling anxiety can be a tough thing to handle but it is something that needs to saw through before being overcome. We all can overcome it as we see it as a learning experience.
Author Bio
Edwin passionately believes in keeping fit and healthy and not only goes to the gym almost every day but eats very healthily. However, having worked with different CBD companies, he also knows CBD oil and the benefits that come with it both from a health and fitness perspective. He encourages everyone to stay fit, keep healthy to not only benefit the body but to keep a smile on their face.