The end of summer inevitably feels rushed and a bit overwhelming as students head back to school and activities begin again. Since the pandemic began, most of us feel some level of anxiety. Don’t let back-to-school stressors increase anxiety for you or your loved ones. Taking time to consciously enjoy life is one of the best ways to counteract stress. Here are 7 ways to feel less anxious and live your best life.
1. Hydrate
It might seem like people recommend hydration for everything that ails
us, but dehydration really does cause a lot of problems. Dehydration lowers our
blood pressure because our blood volume is low, which causes our hearts to beat
faster. That can mimic the symptoms of anxiety, which can, in turn, cause real
anxiety. Drinking enough water is a simple first step to feeling better.
2. Make Sure You Eat
When we are busy, we often skip or delay meals to focus on
the tasks in front of us. Hunger and low blood sugar, though, can make you irritable
and anxious. Maintaining a steady blood sugar just takes a little focus and can
make a world of difference in your day.
3. Take a Walk
Study after study has shown that taking a walk boosts serotonin
production and reduces anxiety. It also helps you sleep better, which further
reduces stress. Taking a walk is an activity the whole family can enjoy
together, or it can provide you with some much-needed solitude.
4. Spend some time alone.
Though some people need their downtime more than others,
everyone can benefit from taking the opportunity to decompress. This alone time
will look different for every person but adding a phone break to this time
could be very beneficial. If you’re worried about missing an important call,
put a responsible person in charge of your phone for an hour while you take
time to destress.
5. Write
Whether you write in a journal, write a letter to a friend, or just put pen to
paper and then toss your writing in the trash, you will experience the mental
health benefits of writing about your stressors. Several studies have shown
that writing about our anxieties, such as before a test or a surgery, increases
our likelihood of a successful outcome. Writing also gives us a safe space to
work out our ideas before we enter stressful conversations or events.
6. Talk to a Professional
While our friends and family usually want to lend an
ear to our problems, they don’t always have the training to help us when we are
anxious or facing stressful life experiences. Therapists are available in-person
and online these days to provide you assistance when your schedule allows.
7. Eat Foods High in Antioxidants
Eat foods high in antioxidants, such as nuts, beans, green vegetables, and
berries. Antioxidants protect our cells from the effects of stress and may even
ease feelings of depression and anxiety. Eating berries is a delicious way to
intake antioxidants. Aronia berries, compared to other fruits, have the highest
levels of antioxidants, and Superberries Aronia berry products are versatile
enough to include in any meal.
Though
some of our stressors are out of our control, there are a lot of ways we can
minimize the effects of our stress on our bodies. Centering your life around
some of these destressing activities can make big changes in the way you feel
and allow you to enjoy life more. Try Superberries Aronia berry Gummy Chews for
a delicious snack you can take anywhere that will help you on your journey to
living your best life.
