Unplug To Reduce Your Anxiety
Anxiety impacts 19.1% of adults in the United States according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Anxiety can present itself differently in each person who experiences it, in emotional, physical, and mental symptoms. These symptoms can interrupt daily life for both the person experiencing anxiety and the people around. It’s a difficult road to navigate.
Anxiety can present itself through panic attacks, increased heart rate, feelings of fear, changes in breathing, dizziness, overthinking, and much more. To ease anxiety and stress, individuals can add a number of mindful activities to their daily lives. According to Mayo Clinic, the following activities can help alleviate signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders:
- Physical activity
- Meditation or deep breathing exercises
- Behavioral therapy
- Journaling
- Reading
- Listen to music
- Socializing
Reduce Screen Time
Screen time can be a major factor in anxiety disorders that can be combated by practicing mindfulness. With social media as a constant comparison to others, doom scrolling, and influences on daily productivity, the presence of cellular devices often hurts more than it helps. Try limiting your daily intake of digital content and replacing the time you would have spent online with an activity that keeps you present in the moment in order to manage your anxiety.
In addition to reducing your social media intake, also be mindful of binge-watching and unhealthy habits with streaming services. Binge-watching cannot only take up a lot of your time but it can also lead to unhealthy sleep patterns, which can ultimately make your anxiety worse.
You can also unplug by taking time to learn a new hobby. This could be as simple as taking up cooking, crocheting, yoga, or really anything that interests you. Try intersecting your new hobby with something that contributes to your overall health and wellness. Activities that involve exercise, healthy foods, or puzzles are great examples of how you can care for your mind and body at the same time.
Ask For Help
Everybody who experiences anxiety has a different path to recovery, so please don’t be discouraged if your anxiety persists after trying some of these techniques. Here at A Better Way Psychiatry and TMS, we understand that each patient has a unique story and requires support from not only their loved ones and community but also from their mental health care specialists.
We focus on providing accessible and compassionate care for mental health illnesses in Southern California. We treat anxiety and depression through TMS therapy, and medication management. If you need to talk about your mental health challenges with a professional, please visit us free of cost with a consultation appointment at any of our locations.