5 Good Habits That Can Reduce Anxiety
Data shows that one in ten of us is suffering from a mental health condition throughout the world at any given moment. Anxiety affects so many of us, and its causes are incredibly varied. From pressure at work to relationship problems to an overcrowded shop, anxiety can be induced quickly and without warning. But help is at hand. These are a few habits that are known to reduce anxiety and benefit our mental health.
Gardening
According to the Mental Health Journal, gardening can reduce your stress levels, improve your mood, and even reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. So if you are green-fingered, get out there and get growing. If you don’t have a garden, that is not a problem. Indoor plants can have the same effect. As does spending time in nature in general. Get out for a walk in a park or the woods if you can.
Reading
Most people know the pleasure of getting lost in a good book. It can transport you to another world and, for a few moments, help you forget any of those niggling worrying thoughts that exist in our day-to-day lives. According to a study from the University of Sussex, reading can reduce stress by 68% and is more effective than listening to relaxing music or even drinking a warm cup of tea or coffee. Reading takes away the physical symptoms of anxiety by lowering your heart rate and even relaxing those tightened muscles. So find a book that you’ve always wanted to enjoy and dive right in.
Baths
Why not combine your reading with a good soak? A Japanese study found that a luxurious hot bubbly bath can reduce tension anxiety. Combining your bath with essential oils like lavender can also help soothe your body. You could also try combining the bath with CBD Oil, which can be taken sublingually.
Exercise
You don’t need to be running a marathon a month or become a champion weightlifter to feel the benefit of exercise. Some simple yoga stretches can work wonders and set you up for the day feeling refreshed and ready to tackle any pressures that may come your way. Exercise is so well regarded that doctors even prescribe it as an effective way of managing chronic anxiety.
Journal
Keeping a diary might seem frivolous, but journaling is a well-researched method of reducing anxiety. There are many ways to do it. It could be as simple as quickly jotting down your worries first thing in the morning, or you could do a more detailed account of your day and your feelings last thing at night. Whatever you prefer, building this ritual into your daily routine has proven benefits. It can become gratifying too, and a great way of looking back on any progress you might have made with your well-being and recording those life milestones.
Habits are built through practice. Don’t expect to try any of these activities once and feel the weight of the world suddenly lifted off your shoulders. But doing any of these practices, little and often, can slowly help it become established as an essential part of your daily routine. Try not to see any of these methods as time wasted. Self-care is time invested in yourself, increasing your happiness, wellbeing, and productivity.
