Being anxious is normal. We live stressed lives. We have to be successful in many facets: find the love of our lives, have well-raised kids, have many good friends, be kind, have a career, have the perfect job, be an entrepreneur, be a star of social media, watch all the good TV shows and movies, be fit, eat well and vote for the right candidate.
It is exhausting and it is impossible. We want to do several things at the same time and we feel too much pressure. Then, my first point in this article is: it is normal to feel anxious. Don't feel bad because sometimes you think you cannot take care of everything. Also, you can quit. You can say that you are not able to finish or accomplish a goal; it does not make you a loser.
The truth is I have felt anxious more times than I want to admit. A couple of years ago, my solution for anxiety was to eat. It was not healthy eating. I was getting junk food which was terrible for my body and it did not make me feel better.
I want to share with you some of the strategies I use when I am anxious.
1. A cup of tea.
congerdesign
I love tea. I highly recommend taking a cup of tea when you feel anxious. I think it is better to get an herbal tea; for example, chamomile, linden, mint and decaf. I believe caffeine is not our best friend when we need to get calm.
2. Chocolate.
Bartek Kluska
Also, I am a chocolate lover. A piece of chocolate always makes us feel better because chocolate has endorphins. Endorphin is the hormone which helps us to feel better; it is the same hormone involved when we are in love. Then, eating chocolate can help a lot. It is essential to know that you do not need to eat the whole bar; a piece can help you enough. I will suggest eating dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate. The best option for me is to drink a cup of hot chocolate.
3. L- Theanine.
Mizianitka
Usually, I take L-Theanine when I fly. Also, this supplement has helped me when I need to stay calm. It is not the only supplement which helps with the mood. You can also try valerian, melatonin, St. John's Wort and Passionflower. The advantages of supplements are that they are over the counter and they do not create addiction.
4. Music.
Eric Nopanen
Music is one of the most beautiful human creations. Listening to music when we are anxious is an excellent option. I am not going to say any specific kind of music because rock and roll or reggaeton can help you as well as classical music. On YouTube, there are many playlists for relaxing. You can try them. In my case, I am not a musical girl. Then, I prefer to watch a TV show or movie. I love to feel better. Harry Potter, Sandra Bullock's films and "Friends" help me a lot.
5. Exercise.
Viktor Hanacek
Exercising is another way to generate more endorphins. You can go to the gym, have some yoga or Zumba classes. I am not a fan of going to the gym but taking a walk always help me to clear my mind. If you do not have time to exercise, I can suggest changing the room where you are. For example, if you are studying for an exam, you can go to the library, to a park, to a coffee house. Changing the space is going to help you to get calm.
6. Hobbies.
russn_fckr
Having a hobby is a recommendation when you have significant episodes of anxiety. In other words, if you are anxious because you have a couple of exams these days, a cup of tea or a piece of chocolate can help you. However, if it is your job which makes you anxious, you need something more significant than eating. Then, a hobby can help you. In my case, writing and reading make me happy. I use them to feel better. If you need to find an activity to help you with your mood, painting, playing, cooking or exercising are the most popular.
Today, feeling anxious is normal. The most important thing is to find the causes of your anxiety and try to find activities which make you happy. I know it is hard, but we have all our lives to find them.
