The Root Causes of Anxiety in Adults Today
Anxiety has never been more prevalent than it is in today’s fast-paced society. In fact, with at least 40 million adults suffering from the disorder, anxiety is by far the most common mental illness in the United States.
One of the reasons anxiety is such a problem is that too many people focus on the symptoms rather than the causes of anxiety. If you know how to avoid the causes, you’re far more likely to be able to treat the disorder effectively when the symptoms arise. Read on to learn about the top causes of anxiety.
High Stress
There’s no question about it. No matter what you do for a living, what your home life is like, or what your family situation is, you probably deal with at least one highly stressful situation in an average day.
Allowing these situations to roll off your back isn’t easy but it’s an important skill to master. This is because stress wreaks havoc on both your physical and mental stress and can lead to everything from heart disease to depression, not to mention massive anxiety.
Employing some relaxation techniques can be a fantastic tool in these situations. Meditation, deep breathing, writing in a gratitude journal, and exercise are all effective against anxiety in adults.
Poor Nutrition
If you eat a standard western diet, odds are you aren’t getting the nutrition you really need. And if you’re living with certain nutrient deficiencies, your chances of developing anxiety symptoms skyrocket.
To combat these deficiencies, ensure that the bulk of your diet is made up of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Healthy fats and carbohydrates are also part of a healthy diet.
Those with anxiety can benefit from increasing their intake of B vitamins, essential fatty acids, magnesium, and other minerals and amino acids. Some examples of helpful foods for those with an anxiety disorder include salmon, dark chocolate, greek yogurt, chamomile or green tea, and blueberries.
Food Sensitivities
Believe it or not, one of the best remedies to help anxiety is to be aware of any food sensitivities you might have. We’ve already discussed the importance of fueling your body with nutrient-dense foods. It’s equally as important to know which foods will do more harm than good.
Now, the two main ingredients to look out for are sugar and caffeine. Unlike sugar, caffeine isn’t inherently bad for you. However, it’s a common culprit behind symptoms of anxiety.
With that in mind, it’s good to note that just because something is considered healthy doesn’t mean that it couldn’t be causing your anxiety. Dairy, soy, corn, and eggs, for example, are some of the top causes of anxiety disorder but are all generally part of a healthy diet.
Avoid These Causes of Anxiety to Improve Your Health
Anxious feelings from time to time are an unavoidable part of life. But suffering from severe anxiety on a daily basis doesn’t have to be the norm!
If you recognize any of these causes of anxiety in your own lifestyle, take the steps necessary to fix them. Something as simple as making more time for yourself in your day-to-day life can do wonders for both your mental and physical health.
Interested in learning more about improving your mental health? Take a look at our blog!
Samantha Gaines wrote this article on behalf of FreeUp. FreeUp is the fastest-growing freelance marketplace in the US. FreeUp only accepts the top 1% of freelance applicants. Click here to get access to the top freelancers in the world.
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