on Mar 16, 22

Bad Habits That Can Make Anxiety Worse

Are you tired of feeling stressed and anxious but don’t know how to shake the negative feelings and emotions you have? If that’s the case, then you might be making some of these bad habits that make anxiety worse.

Too Much Caffeine

Caffeine is one of the biggest culprits that trigger anxiety; it elevates one’s heartbeat rate, resulting in a panic attack.  

Most people with bad anxiety know not to take too much caffeine. However, some people just can’t resist having their daily cup of Joe.

If you truly can’t go on with your day without coffee, you may opt for decaf. It may not be as good as regular coffee, but at least it won’t give you the jitters.  

Eating Unhealthy, Processed Foods

Eating unhealthy food can undermine your overall health, physical and mental. Common examples of unhealthy food include fast food, instant food, refined carbs, sugary foods, processed meats, etc. These foods often contain chemical additives and ingredients which can deter one’s mood and promote anxiety.

Additives such as sweeteners and dyes are neurotoxins that disrupt the nervous system; thus, resulting in worsening one’s anxiety levels.

Skipping Meals 

Almost everyone who has a busy lifestyle and has bad habits is guilty of skipping meals. People may quickly jump between one task to another and often forget about meal times. Not eating meals on time is a habit to avoid, especially for people suffering from anxiety.

Skipping a meal will make your blood sugar drop, which makes you feel more anxious and irritable.

Browsing Social Media for Hours

In today’s highly-advanced technology, people often spend a lot of time on their mobile devices browsing the web, specifically social media. This habit has already become part of many people’s day-to-day life nowadays.

However, by browsing social media too much, people end up comparing their lives to others, which negatively impacts their mental health.

Too Much Alcohol 

While many people suffering from anxiety drink alcohol to cope with their condition, it will only worsen it in the long run. Although alcohol may numb one’s negative feelings for some time, it can also increase one’s anxiety levels just a few moments after consuming it. In addition, once the effects of alcohol start to wear off, the person is a lot more likely to feel more down, tired, and anxious.

Not Drinking Enough Fluids

Being hydrated brings numerous benefits to the body, making the skin clearer and the entire body cleaner. However, one unpopular benefit of drinking enough fluids is its ability to keep anxiety levels at bay.  

If you are dehydrated, you are likely to feel dizzy, featherbrained, and your heartbeat is increased. These feelings will likely lead to a full-blown anxiety attack.

Lack of Exercise

Those who suffer from anxiety attacks are often advised to exercise and become more agile. Even if you are not into working out, doing mild exercises such as taking walks can help a lot with keeping your anxiety at bay.

If your job requires you to sit for long hours, make it a habit to find some time to stretch and have your body moving for a few minutes within the day.

Avoiding the bad habits listed above will save you from dealing with awful anxiety and panic attacks.

Moreover, if you are looking for something to aid your journey to an anxiety-free life, you may check out ReCalm. ReCalm is a four-hour calming solution that can help improve your mood and overall well-being while reducing stress and anxiety levels at the same time.

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