AD: 12 Things That Could Help You To Keep Your 2020 Anxiety Under Control
2020 has truly been a year that everyone will remember for all of the wrong reasons. People have lost loved ones, jobs, and are having to live through a global pandemic that is colouring every single aspect of their lives. It’s no wonder that many people are suffering with anxiety, even if they didn’t suffer with this before. In fact, many people are calling this type of anxiety ‘2020 anxiety’. Whether you had it before and the whole situation is making it worse, or whether this is a new thing for you, below, you’ll find 12 things that could help you to keep your 2020 anxiety under control.
Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Rest
Start by making sure you’re getting plenty of rest. This could mean going to bed earlier, or even taking a nap during the day. If you’re burning the candle at both ends or struggling to get a decent quality of sleep, you’re going to feel much worse. Many people report heightened anxiety when they haven’t slept very well, as well as changes in their appetite, productivity levels, and energy. If you want to make sure you can seize the day and avoid those anxious thoughts, then prioritize your sleep.
Having a great wind down routine can help with this, as can the following:
Plan exercise earlier on in the day to get rid of pent up energy.
Avoid caffeine in the afternoon.
Get ready for the next day by getting your to do list out of your head and writing down your clothes.
Turn the TV off, put your phone away, and read a book instead.
Focus On Proper Nutrition
Proper nutrition is going to ensure your body is getting what it needs, even through a really stressful time. You don’t need to be a nutrition expert to make sure you’re giving your body the right things. Make sure you’re eating balanced meals with plenty of vegetables, as well as protein to help you stay full. Many people won’t eat properly and will use coffee as fuel, which can leave them jittery and even more anxious. You can also try incorporating a safe supplement that you have researched thoroughly or asked your doctor about, such as CBD Oil. You don’t need to be ‘perfect’ all of the time, but you should avoid running on empty.
Get Some Exercise
Exercise is one of the best stress relievers out there. Many people feel better both immediately after exercise and in the long run with a regular exercise routine. Planning it into your day will help you to feel more in control and ensure you’re healthy. You might even enjoy the burst of endorphins that many report following exercise.
Get Into A Healthy Self Care Routine
Self care can mean many things to many people. To some, it’s having a nice hot bath and reading a book. To others, it’s cooking a delicious meal, turning off their phone, and pampering themselves. Self care can be anything that makes you feel good. It could even be a hobby that you have neglected. Plan this into your day and prioritize caring for yourself in this way.
Remember To Breathe
The breath is such an underrated tool, but it can help tremendously with feelings of anxiety. Most people take shallow breaths, and this signals to the body that it is under attack or that there’s something to be worried about. Whenever you remember, take some deep breaths right down to your stomach. Deeper breathing can help to relax us almost right away, and it’s completely free and easy to do. You can do it anywhere.
Limit Your Alcohol And Caffeine
Alcohol is a depressant. If you’re already anxious, it may dull the pain for a while, but in reality, you’re going to feel far worse. For some, this happens in outbursts when they have consumed too much alcohol. For others, it happens the next day when they are hungover and begin to feel anxious. Having a drink or two is ok occasionally, but you shouldn’t rely on alcohol to help you to unwind and relax. If you’ve been doing this, then you need to find something else - a nice tea, perhaps. Caffeine is another thing that can give you a temporary boost and then leave you feeling anxious and jittery. Try to limit your intake and then switch to tea, or even yerba mate if you need more of an energy kick.
Plan Out Your Days So You Get Breaks
Make sure you plan out your day so you get plenty of breaks, and don’t feel bad for it. Don’t burn yourself out trying to distract yourself with work, or feel like you’re not doing enough if you have a break. Breaks are important.
Share Your Worries With Someone
Is there somebody you love and trust you can speak to? It could be time to share your worries with them. Of course, they may not have all of the answers. Sometimes, they may not know what to say. However, admitting how you feel to somebody else can be powerful.
Try Journaling
Try journaling your worries and you might get a better insight into what it is you feel and think. You can even try speaking out loud. Many people speak out loud, like they are speaking to themselves, as a way to get perspective on a situation. For instant soothing, you could even try a bit of a mantra.
Try To Lighten The Mood
Read or watch something that makes you laugh. Lighten the mood a little bit if you can.
Turn Off Your Phone
Stay away from social media and fake news for a while. Technology can make things much worse.
Speak To A Professional
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