Anxiety, understood as a healthy reaction towards a threatening or dangerous situation, is a normal sensation that anyone can feel at a given moment. In addition, it helps the body to be prepared for a situation that requires special attention, such as making an important decision. However, anxiety can become a disorder if such a reaction occurs on a regular basis for situations which are not usually threatening or dangerous.
It should be remembered that anxiety is a normal emotion, so the goal is not to eliminate it but to learn to tolerate and manage it. Having a health professional assess which treatment is appropriate for each person is the first step. However, after treatment, some people with an anxiety disorder may continue to have symptoms. For such cases, there is a series of tips to help you live with anxiety.
- Maintain a regular routine. It is essential to be able to continue with daily life, despite the difficulties the disorder brings. This means those affected must make an effort to maintain their activities without trying to avoid situations that lead to anxiety.
- Practise sport. Regular physical activity is advisable for people with an anxiety disorder. In fact, some scientific studies conclude that physical exercise can help reduce and relieve anxiety symptoms.
- Have good eating and sleeping habits. Maintaining proper eating and sleeping habits is essential to maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle.
- Do not take too many stimulants. Using stimulants, such as coffee, in high quantities and for long periods can increase anxiety levels.
- Avoid toxic substances. Certain substances, like alcohol or cannabis, do not make anxiety disorder symptoms disappear in the medium or long term. They can, in fact, increase the risk of problems related to substance abuse.
- Stay socially active. Maintaining a good social life can become a good tool to combat the depressive symptoms that some people with anxiety disorders feel.
- Share your problems with those close to you. Some people find it helpful to share their problems with people around them or in support groups.
- Comply with the treatment indicated. Following the treatment guidelines indicated by a specialist is essential to combat anxiety disorder symptoms.
