What Causes Anxiety and What You Can Do About It

Anxiety is an excessive fear or worry about specific situations or everyday life. People experiencing anxiety typically notice rapid breathing, fatigue, a fast heart rate, and sweating.   While anxiety can be expected in many situations, such as performing on stage or going for a job interview, it can also impact people’s daily activities, like visiting your local store. If you’re experiencing anxiety, here’s what can cause it and what you can do about it. 

What Causes Anxiety?

Many people seek counseling and products like Delta 8 THC carts to help their anxiety levels after experiencing it for various reasons. Sometimes, you can be more at risk of an anxiety disorder if you suffered from abuse or trauma as a child, have a health condition or illness, or are under undue stress. 

It’s also not uncommon to develop an anxiety disorder if you misuse drugs and alcohol or have other mental health disorders or underlying health issues. Some people with heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, and even thyroid problems might also experience anxiety. 

Try CBD Products

While it’s only natural to be dubious about using CBD products to treat anxiety, current research suggests it might hold value for some people. Some studies have shown that people with social anxiety disorder experienced reduced discomfort and anxiety during public speaking. A review of studies also found it might help with generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, PTSD, and OCD. 

Exercise

As challenging as it can be to be active when you’re experiencing anxiety, you might see the value in it for reducing stress and focusing your attention elsewhere. Increasing your heart rate through exercise might provide more room for anti-anxiety neurochemicals, such as endocannabinoids, serotonin, and gamma-aminobutyric acid. The American Psychological Association (APA) also states that regular exercise increases willpower and concentration, which might also reduce anxiety symptoms. 

Improve Your Sleep Hygiene

If you don’t currently get enough sleep, consider focusing on your sleep hygiene to potentially reduce your anxiety levels. Avoid technology and caffeine at night, keep your room dark and comfortable, and write down what’s on your mind before going to sleep. 

Many people also enjoy better sleep quality by going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning. Mental health and sleep are linked, so your anxiety levels might improve if you get enough quality sleep each night. 

Practice Mindfulness

Meditation and mindfulness involve noticing all thoughts without judgment and having full awareness of the present moment. Those who make time for mindfulness often feel calm and content, making it an ideal way to control anxiety. 

Mindfulness meditation, loving-kindness meditation, and focused meditation are a few options worth exploring. However, mindfulness meditation is among the most popular. It involves closing your eyes, breathing deeply, paying attention to thoughts as they pass, and observing them rather than judging them or yourself. Research suggests 30 minutes of meditation per day might lower anxiety levels. 

Anxiety is part of human nature, but that doesn’t mean you have to let it control your life. Once you’re aware of what it is and how you can combat it, you might start enjoying the situations in life that would typically make you experience uncomfortable anxiety-related symptoms.