Practical Anxiety Attack Prevention and Management
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Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness among American adults, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, affecting about 40 million people each year. However, many more people have battled anxiety attacks since the start of the pandemic. From August 2020 to February 2021, the percentage of adults battling anxiety symptoms increased from 36.4% to 41.4%. If you've recently been working through anxiety attacks, you're far from alone.
Thankfully, RealitySeeker explains there are numerous practical ways to prevent and manage anxiety.
Switch Careers
If your current job is stressful and causing anxiety attacks, consider going back to school so you can switch careers to something you enjoy. Online programs offer you the ability to work at your speed in your free time. You can keep your current job until you're qualified for something better. For example, you may want to pursue counseling as a career to help others with their anxiety attacks. You could also get a degree in education or business. Find something you think is meaningful and enjoyable.
Reduce Caffeine Consumption
In small to moderate doses, caffeine can be beneficial to some. For example, some studies cited in European Endocrinology have shown caffeine to reduce the risk of developing type two diabetes. However, consuming large amounts of caffeine has been associated with an increased instance of panic disorder in otherwise healthy people.
If you're regularly feeling anxious, you may find reducing your caffeine consumption to be beneficial. This doesn't mean you have to give up your daily pick-me-up. Instead, start by reducing your consumption by one or two caffeine drinks each day. Caffeine is found in coffee, energy drinks, tea, and soda. If you take caffeine pills or regularly consume energy drinks, you may want to cut these out first since they contain high amounts of caffeine.
Be More Active
Studies show people who exercise regularly have higher confidence and a greater overall sense of well-being. They're also less likely to suffer from the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, many people find it challenging to stick to a regular exercise routine because they find it dull or too time-consuming. Keeping your routine varied may help.
For example, you could do traditional strength training on Tuesdays and Thursdays and go for a long hike on Saturdays. You can vary this by enrolling in an adult's martial arts or dance class on Wednesdays. Then, you may play a team sport, like football or soccer, with your family and neighbors on Fridays. This is only an example, but you can see it keeps you busy almost every day while providing plenty of variation to keep you interested.
Help Is Out There
While some people can manage their anxiety disorder alone, others can't. There's nothing wrong with this. Therapy can be the perfect head start on the road to preventing and managing anxiety. Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health issues that American adults face. Thankfully, there are several practical ways you can prevent and manage anxiety so that it no longer interrupts your daily life.
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