Due to the pandemic and the stress that the past year has caused, many more Americans are currently dealing with anxiety disorders and general anxious feelings than in the past.

If you have found yourself feeling much more anxious than normal, you’re certainly not alone. Our AFC Urgent Care Centennial team provides some helpful info on anxiety below, so keep reading!

What Does It Mean to Have Anxiety?

It’s safe to say that almost all of us have experienced anxiety before. After all, anxiety is your body’s natural response to stress, which includes feelings of fear or apprehension about what’s to come.

As far as what triggers anxiety, researchers are not sure of the exact causes. But it’s likely a combination of factors that play a role. These include genetic and environmental factors, as well as brain chemistry. We’ve listed some general symptoms of anxiety below.

Common Symptoms of Anxiety

• Tense muscles
• Trembling
• Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands or legs
• Sweating or flushing
• A churning feeling in the stomach
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• A backache
• Arrhythmia and heart palpitations

Are There Things I Can Do to Reduce My Anxiety?

Definitely! While in some cases anxiety disorders can be managed without meds by implementing some of the tips we’ve listed below, many people need medication, which changes the way the brain works to alleviate the chemical causes of anxiety.

If the below-mentioned and other natural anxiety remedies don’t work for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional to seek therapy to get the care and treatment you need.

Tips to Fight Anxiety

• Exercise. Simply moving around and putting some physical stress on your body, though it might sound counterproductive, can help relieve mental stress.
• Reduce your caffeine intake. All those extra cups of coffee can come back to bite you as high doses of caffeine are known to increase anxiety. Drink water instead!
• Journal your feelings. Jotting down your thoughts will help you leave your anxious feelings behind.
• Leave behind the processed foods. Although “comfort foods“ and other processed foods are tasty, they aren’t good for your physical or mental health. Eat healthy foods instead!
• Listen to music. Enjoyable music can induce the relaxation response by helping lower blood pressure and heart rate, as well as stress hormones.

If you have any other anxiety or health-related questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our AFC Urgent Care Centennial team today!