Stress and anxiety can come out of nowhere. You can be minding your own business, having a perfectly normal day, and then BAM! You are struck by near-paralyzing anxiety. The truth is, for some people stress and anxiety is a crippling and constant problem but everyone deals with a certain amount of stress, particularly in difficult times. The current pandemic has shown that even if we’ve managed to keep stress down normally, there are outside forces that we can’t control that can cause great anxiety.
Here are some ways you can reduce your stress and anxiety during difficult times:
- Eat better. Processed sugars in your diet can cause mood crashes and caffeine can actually affect your body’s ability to produce serotonin. Avoid processed foods and opt for ones rich in probiotics such as kefir, sauerkraut, and pickles, as well as other anxiety-reducers such as salmon, chamomile and green teas, dark chocolate, eggs, and bananas.
- Exercise. Aside from getting in shape, rigorous exercise increases “feel good” chemicals in your brain like dopamine and serotonin.
- Meditate. Meditation calms your mind and body. By sitting in a comfortable position and either closing your eyes or focusing on an object in front of you, you will feel your muscles begin to relax. Focus on your breathing, taking slow, deep, regular breaths as you push all other thoughts from your mind.
- Write it down. Writing in a journal can help release anxiety. By putting your problems or concerns down on paper, it makes them more organized and easier to confront them.
- Adopt a furry friend. If you can have a pet, giving a loving home to a dog, cat, or other pet is a great cause. Not only does your new friend get a home, but you get a friend to love and who loves you. Having a pet has been shown to reduce blood pressure, anxiety, and depression.
- Get Some Air. Taking a break in the fresh air, even for a few minutes can calm you and make you focus better. Some sun-induced Vitamin D helps regulate your mood.
- Relax your muscles. When you’re feeling stressed, be mindful of your body. Is your jaw clenched? Are your shoulders hunched? Are your muscles tightened? Find a quiet spot to sit or lie down and breathe slowly while you relax each muscle.
- Go for a walk. Going for a nice walk falls under both the category of exercise and going outside so you get double the reward. Whether it’s these benefits or the change of scenery, walking can quickly lower your stress levels.
- Laugh. Laughter really is the best medicine. Whether you watch your favorite comedian, watch a funny movie, or catch dinner with a friend that makes you chuckle, taking some time form the seriousness of life can reduce physical and mental stress.
- Talk it out. Talking through your problems with a friend or a mental health professional can be a great help. If you need help finding a mental health professional, call NAMI can help.
Things like pain and bad posture can also lead to added stress. Many types of pain can be eased by treatments from a licensed chiropractor. When your spine is properly aligned, your body can heal itself more easily and pain can be relieved. At North County Pain Relief, we take a holistic approach to your health. Upon your initial consultation and exam, we’ll come up with a plan to treat your pain and ailments to improve your whole health. Call North County Pain Relief today at (314) 731-4201 to schedule a free initial consultation. We’re here to help improve your health.
