How to Manage Stress Without Stressing Out

“Anxiety is something that is a part of me but it’s not who I am. “ Emma Stone

There I was minding my own business thinking of the future when suddenly my heart began to race. My palms were becoming increasingly sweaty and the gentle butterflies in my stomach have turned into angry bees. It was the return of my anxiety.

While it has been the subject of many studies and researches, scientists agree that anxiety is still not fully understood even today. However, as a result of their research, they have been able to help people effectively manage and largely avoid anxiety.

Stress is the greatest predisposing factor to anxiety attacks. If one is to avoid any anxiety-related illness, that person should reduce the amount of stressors experienced per day. 

While not completely avoidable, one can at least create an environment where stress plays a lesser role on the body. Make sure you put the stressors that can be avoided away from your immediate vicinity. You could try lounging in an area that is peaceful and quiet. 

You will be surprised at what a good five minutes of relaxation can do for a stressed-out body. You could also come up with good coping mechanisms for stress related issues. You could listen to soothing music, meditate, and do other relaxing activities.

 Studies have shown that various substances can predispose one to bouts of anxiety. These substances play around with the normal balance of chemicals in the brain, effectively increasing the chance one acquires anxiety illness.

While some people drink or take drugs to soothe their nerves it actually has a counter-effect that will discourage those that do so. Drugs for example can increase the release of a chemical called dopamine in the brain. 

Dopamine is a chemical that is associated with pleasure in the body. While activities such as sex and eating good food increase dopamine release anywhere from two to three times, drugs haywire the brain and cause an increase in dopamine anywhere from four to ten times. 

While this may seem like a good thing for some people, this sudden and unwarranted increase in dopamine can actually cause havoc to the chemical balance of the brain. And while it makes those that take them giddy for some time, when a person’s high wears off, the sudden loss of dopamine will induce a great amount of depression, stress, and anxiety.

3. Sleep Right – This one can be so difficult for parents! Mainly, less face it, for the mothers. My 3 year old still hasn’t gotten the memo that mommy is nicer with more sleep.

People need the right amount of sleep to retain a calm, restive demeanor. If you have noticed, you are usually a lot crankier and anxious the day after you pull an all-nighter. This is because sleep is a necessity for good health – physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Not only is the amount of sleep important, but the regular schedule for it as well. If possible keep your sleep patterns regular, as an irregular pattern can cause an undue amount of stress and anxiety.

 The body needs certain nutrients to keep itself healthy. Not only does it need these nutrients for energy and building processes, it also needs certain nutrients to keep the chemical balance in the body at normal rates. 

This makes the intake of healthy food important. The intake of the right kind of food is integral to the health and well-being of any person. Anxiety is, as studies have shown, directly related to diet.

Avoid taking food substances that can alter your body chemistry in the wrong way. Coffee and alcohol are some of the foods that can play with one’s chemical balance and cause anxiety as well.

When Anxiety does attack, remember to go easy on yourself. Whatever you do today, let it be enough.