Without realising it at times we can entertain certain things that feed and fuel our anxiety. Which in turn can make everything else feel more overwhelming and stressful. Some people tend to have more of an anxious nature, and therefore need to make sure that they have systems in place that help to sift and manage their anxiety as best as possible. For example, they may need to invest in activities and down time that helps to alleviate pressure and stress. However, if we are not mindful of doing and implementing this, we may fall prey to entertaining things that enhance and feed into our anxiety.
Habits that encourage anxiety
Keeping anxiety at bay means being aware of the details that will help aid in minimizing anxiousness. If we aren’t intentional about working on the following habits, we may end being a slave to our anxiety. Go through the following list below, and see if you identify with any of the following – become aware of your habits, so that you may feel empowered to overcome them in the days to come.
Overworking
When we work without a momentary pause, we never let our brains rest. Which in turn affects our mood, as it may make us feel tired, moody, if not completely drained and miserable. Make or schedule time in to your day where you allow yourself to catch your breath. You are allowed to rest, you are a human being, not a robot after all!
Not sticking to a schedule
Often leaving things for last-minute can leave one feeling on edge, and rushed. Which in turn encourages more stress and anxiety. When we are more organized and planned, we feel more relaxed and in control of our time and day.
Not getting enough sleep
Now there is a catch with this one, because clocking in less sleep due to working late, can leave one feeling anxious and stressed. Which in turn makes one unable to sleep due to stress, which can turn into a negative cycle. Learn to encourage healthy sleeping habits at night.
Watching very stressful, action packed movies or series
I love watching action packed drama movies or series, however, if I watch it before bed I tend to feel like my adrenalin is pumping. Like I too need to prepare for battle, when in fact I need to prepare for sleep. Try to avoid watching things that elevate your stress levels before bed.
Isolating yourself
I know for me, when I am struggling with anxiety, I try to remove myself and hide away from the world. When in fact, I need to be around people who love and support me. There is a time to withdraw to recharge, but there are times when we need to lean on others and let them help us where they can.
Over thinking or thinking the worst of every situation
Often we can get caught up in a negative habit of over thinking or over analyzing something to the death. We assume the worst, therefore, we focus on the worst or the inevitable. Man, oh man is that head space an exhausting head space to live in! Breaking this habit needs to be an intentional act that is practiced daily, if not hourly, until you feel calm to reason and have the confidence to trust in the unknown.
Checking social media too often
Checking social media has become our norm – we do it first thing when we wake up, during our day, before bed, sometimes during the night! It’s addictive, and to be honest with you, it’s not healthy when it becomes all-consuming. Every now and then try to have a social media detox, or limit your time on it, and doing something soulful like: reading a good book, listening to music, or journaling, or go for cup of coffee with a friend.
Drinking too many energy drinks or having a high daily caffine intake
As a mom I justify surviving the day in my ‘zombie-sleep-deprived’ state, by consuming coffee, sometimes by the bucket! But the caffeine causes my adrenalin to pump, then I crash towards the end of the day. I am learning to limit my caffeine in take, and rather find other more natural and healthier ways to stay refreshed and recharged!
Be in control of your anxiety, do not let it control you. Take action by identifying trigger causes that make your anxiety flare up, and do small things to help counteract it. If I can do it, so can you, after all we are in this together!