Self-Care to Help With Anxiety
Oct 26, 2017
Individuals who seek counseling to help overcome their anxiety issues have already taken a big step in supporting their own self-care. But did you know there are other things you can do on your own to help support your mind and body while you are recovering from excessive anxiety? It is no secret that our bodies, minds and emotions are inextricably linked together and what affects one of these components, invariably affects the other.
In this post we will discuss a few small steps for anxiety sufferers to explore, potentially offering notable rewards in the successful management and eventual elimination of their excessive anxiety levels.
Stay Away From Caffeine
Caffeine acts as a stimulant
to the central nervous system. Although many individuals feel they need
a dose or two of caffeine in order to start their day, for those
struggling with anxiety, caffeine only serves to
stimulate their already over-taxed nervous system. A better option is to
start the day with a healthy breakfast that provides good nutritional
support to help your body cope with the increased demands stemming from
its anxiety-challenged nervous system.
Add Vitamins - Reduce Sugar
Anyone experiencing chronic, intense anxiety will often benefit from taking a good quality B vitamin-complex pill on a daily basis. B vitamins play a significant role in providing nutritional support for the central nervous system. Female anxiety sufferers currently taking oral contraceptives are particularly challenged when it comes to maintaining their B vitamin levels, since birth control pills are known to deplete some B vitamins. In addition, a diet high in sugar requires greater levels of B vitamins in order to metabolize the excess carbohydrates, stressing the body's ability to supply the nervous system with an appropriate amount of necessary B vitamins.
Take a Break
Daily life is challenging for everyone, but particularly so for those experiencing chronic anxiety. Good self-care means carving out a period of time every day to decompress and relax. Some find listening to beautiful music as a great way to unwind, others find focused meditation or deep-breathing exercises are a good way to relax their body while calming their thoughts and feelings through focused attention. If you don't know what kind of meditation or breathing exercises you might like, experiment with some of the free videos on YouTube until you find one that works for you. Or take a hot bath, relaxing all those muscles that become so tense when we are under emotional stress. Laughter is a great stress reliever as well. Watch movies that always put you in stitches or call a friend who always makes you laugh.
Positive, nurturing, supportive self-care is a much better tool that can assist in healing, rather than castigating or berating yourself for having difficulty managing your anxiety. Being kind to yourself can be a key component of creating a solid foundation for eventual freedom from anxious thoughts and feelings.
Want to know more about our Fresno anxiety counseling services? Contact us.