Almost all of us will experience some sort of anxiety throughout our lives. Small amounts of anxiety are normal because this emotion helps to keep us safe and alive. It’s a necessary feeling that has enabled humanity to survive for so long.However, chronic anxiety, especially when it’s not necessary, can seriously impact your life, from relationships and work, to your health.According to Mind.org.uk, in any given week in England, 8 in 100 people are diagnosed with mixed anxiety and depression, with 6 in 100 people diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).
Symptoms of anxiety
The symptoms of anxiety can be varied and are often different for everyone experiencing anxiety. The most common symptoms include:
Tension in your muscles
Weight gain/loss
Shortness of breath
Heart palpitations
Fidgeting or restlessness
Nervousness
A persistent feeling of fear or uncertainty
A feeling of panic
Increased stress
Insomnia or other sleep problems
Ways to relieve anxiety symptoms
Since anxiety is a multifaceted condition with many potential causes, there is no single treatment plan that can improve everyone’s symptoms. But there are a number of ways to reduce anxiety symptoms. Some may work better than others depending on the person and usually a combination is the best treatment.
Exercise
Regular exercise is a fantastic way to combat anxiety. Research shows aerobic exercise is especially helpful. For example, a bike ride, dance class, jog, or even a brisk walk can be a powerful tool for those suffering from chronic anxiety. Exercise works to reduce anxiety in a number of ways. First of all, the simple act of exercising helps to divert your attention away from what’s making you anxious. But it also when you increase your heart rate, it changes brain chemistry, increasing the availability of important anti-anxiety neurochemicals, including serotonin, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and endocannabinoids. And finally, exercise helps to relieve muscle tension throughout the body.
Meditation
Research has shown that practising meditation can be an effective way to manage feelings of anxiety because it helps to slow down racing thoughts, decrease negativity, and calm both your mind and body. You can find free guided meditations through apps like Headspace so it’s easy for anyone to get started.
NAD+ supplements
NAD+ supplements can help improve the symptoms of anxiety as a standalone treatment, or they can act as an ideal cotherapy alongside traditional treatments such as therapy or medication. NAD+ supplements also complement alternative treatments such as mindfulness or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). NAD+ won’t get rid of your anxiety, but it can help relieve the horrible symptoms. For example, NAD plus supplements can help regulate your mood, improve cognitive function, reduce stress and improve your sleep.
Almost all of us will experience some sort of anxiety throughout our lives. Small amounts of anxiety are normal because this emotion helps to keep us safe and alive. It’s a necessary feeling that has enabled humanity to survive for so long.
However, chronic anxiety, especially when it’s not necessary, can seriously impact your life, from relationships and work, to your health.
According to Mind.org.uk, in any given week in England, 8 in 100 people are diagnosed with mixed anxiety and depression, with 6 in 100 people diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).