The COVID-19 pandemic completely changed our lives and put a spotlight on mental health. Many of us now acknowledge the dangers of ignoring the same. Mental health affects our quality of life, and we need to prioritize it for overall well-being.
However, anxiety is at an all-time rise. India saw a 35% increase in anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic - a major cause of concern. Anxiety is the body's natural response to stress. Different people experience anxiety differently, but as a general definition, you could say that it is a feeling of fear or apprehension about what's to come. It is normal to get anxious in stressful situations. However, if you experience anxiety regularly, you may suffer from an anxiety disorder.
What is an anxiety disorder?
A bit of anxiety is not always a serious situation. It is perfectly normal to get anxious in stressful times. Even if it is unpleasant, some pressure about starting a new job or taking a test may push you to perform better.
However, it becomes a problem when the feeling lingers for long periods and starts interfering with your daily life. An anxiety disorder may prevent you from everyday events like crossing the street or even leaving your home in extreme cases.
If left untreated, it keeps getting worse, so it is crucial to identify, manage, and treat anxiety as soon as possible.
5 Powerful Ways To Beat Anxiety
In this blog, we give you five actionable, powerful tips to beat anxiety. These are generic tips that apply to most people. However, if you have a severe underlying condition that makes you feel anxious for unusually long periods, we recommend seeing a therapist or a Doctor who has the medical expertise to guide you.
- Talk!
A problem shared is a problem halved. When difficulties arise, open yourself up to someone who gets it. Talking it out is not a sign of weakness. It often requires a lot of courage. Different people have different perspectives, and when problems surround you, all it usually takes is a shift in your point of view – an external perspective.
- Move!
Sometimes, the anxious feeling you get is just a build-up of adrenaline. Go out, take a walk, and watch your stress hormones melt. Working out releases many neurotransmitters, such as endorphins and dopamine, which regulate your mood, motivation, sleep cycles, etc.
- Write!
Writing is a very therapeutic activity. It can help you find meaning in your experiences, which can bring out solutions to the problems you are facing. Writing breeds clarity! A study from the journal Monitor on Psychology suggests that writing about your emotions could even help you heal from stress and trauma!
Morning anxiety is a feeling of stress and worry right after waking up. It is a reaction to worries and overwhelming stress about pending tasks that one has to complete throughout the day. If you suffer from morning anxiety, 'morning pages' is something you must try.
Morning pages are a stream-of-consciousness writing limited to three pages, ideally done right after waking up. The idea is to write everything that comes to your mind, even if it doesn't make sense. The exercise is said to have a significant impact on your focus, creativity, and happiness.
Write your way to happiness!
- Utilize that DND feature!
Experts say that continuous text alerts and mindless social media scrolling can affect our mental and emotional health. Information overload (which is not uncommon in the age of smartphones) can trigger the release of adrenaline and stress hormones like cortisol, which keep us active as it is a biological reaction to threats. Phone-induced stress and anxiety are real things, and it is crucial to take measures to mitigate and manage them.
Therefore, taking time off your phone daily is a good idea. You could schedule it. One way to do it is to switch your phone to the DND mode an hour before you go to bed and look at it only after an hour has passed after you wake up. You could use these hours to read a book, meditate, or spend time with your family.
- Limit the usage of stimulants and depressants!
Regulating stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol (which can act as both a stimulant and a depressant) may help you relieve anxiety and cope with everyday life. Anxiety is a common side effect of stimulants, as they change how your nerve cells communicate with each other and your brain.
Conclusion
Navigating through stressful times is tough, and with the above solutions, you can start your journey toward changing how you respond to anxiety. However, there is one crucial point that we still need to address in this blog, and that is nutrition.
A nutrition-rich diet and a healthy dose of daily physical activity is the best way to stay healthy. Consuming almonds, yogurt, green tea, and eggs over a period is believed to keep anxiety in check. There are some essential nutrients that our diets lack though, and those are Phytonutrients.
Phytonutrients are substances found in certain plants which are beneficial for human health. Most phytonutrients though, aren't available in easily consumable formats. We solve this problem for you.
Nature & Thought's Zen Panda is a full-spectrum, clinically validated Ashwagandha that gives you all-day stress management support in one capsule. The product contains Ashwagandha root extract (Indian ginseng or winter cherry). This potent adaptogen helps reduce stress naturally, making you feel happier and calmer while enhancing your overall well-being. You may notice reduced anxiety levels within the first month of consuming the supplement.
Reduced cortisol levels may help you manage stress better and catch up on that beauty sleep.
So, head to our product page, get your pack, and start your journey toward awakening your inner Zen!
We also encourage you to take our stress test and measure your stress score to understand your overall stress levels. The test is based on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) - a widely used psychological stress assessment tool.
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