Sweaty palms, heart palpitations, and panic attacks; for a person suffering from anxiety, it can all seem so vivid.

We know anxiety can be a normal reaction to feeling stressed, it can even be beneficial, as it acts as a warning sign. It only becomes a major problem when it is disruptive to everyday life. 

You may ask yourself why do I feel anxious and sometimes not even comprehend why. Let’s look at some reasons behind it.

Of course, some of the biggest factors or causes for anxiety can be life-changing events, such as the loss of a loved one or a life change like moving countries. But what about the more subtle things, like the changes in our everyday living.

I am not just talking about leading more stressful lives and working longer hours. It is the things that get overlooked, like our lifestyle patterns and what we are exposed to each day.  

 

Subtle Causes of Anxiety

 

Some of the subtle causes of anxiety you may not know.

Artificial lighting is proven to have a different effect on humans than natural lighting. Whether you work indoors with no natural lighting or spend too much time inside, light can play a big difference in your mood.

Eating right and exercise can play a vital part in balancing our mood and feelings. Serotonin is the happy hormone released when we exercise, and it aids in our overall well-being. Eating a healthy and balanced diet and staying well hydrated can also assist with our bodies functioning, the way it repairs itself, and our immune system.

Our sleep habits and patterns have changed. Playing on your phone or digital device for hours before sleep is a no-no that most of us do, including me.

 

What is Melatonin?

 

Did you know that the blue light from our phones and computers late at night can have twice the adverse effects on your body’s production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, than normal artificial light? 

Melatonin is a hormone released by the pineal gland that regulates sleep and works in response to darkness. 

Being exposed to light at night can block melatonin production. Try reducing the amount of time on your device at night or even better, make it a habit to read just before bed instead.

 

Why are Millennials having a hard time with feeling Anxious?

 

While anxiety is natural, anxiety disorders are more extreme, and it seems to be hitting younger people more regularly. Millennials are intertwined in social media, more online activities such as games, poor sleep patterns, and comparing themselves to others while having a fear of missing out.

The fact that social media and the internet is addictive increases the amount of dopamine stimulation in our brain. Once our brain develops a tolerance level, it requires more and more dopamine. Detoxing from anything that provides you with the rush helps to reset the dopamine levels. This is why the term ‘dopamine detox’ has become popular in recent times.

 

Some of the Symptoms of Anxiety or stress-related behaviors can include;

• constant worrying
• Overthinking
• fearful
• irritability
• sweating
• muscle tension
• difficulty sleeping 
• Poor concentrating
• Shaking or tingling 
• Your throat can feel like it is closing
• Rapid heart rate
• Feeling restlessness or edgy

 

 

How do I get relief from Anxiety?

 

Here are some simple things to try if you are feeling anxious.

Try to address the reason why you feel anxious.

Talk to yourself and assess the reality of the situation. Is there anything you can control; how much of it is an overreactive feeling?

Take time for you, create healthy positive lifestyle habits. Try a meditation practice or a way to switch off from your surroundings to be with you.

Know your triggers and create a plan to work through them.

There are so many types of behaviors like panic disorders, phobias, OCD, PTSD that can all be linked to feelings of anxiousness. Living with anxiety can be challenging. However, regular routines, a healthy lifestyle, and assistance from professionals helping you to get to the cause of the issue can help relieve its severity.

There are many Apps & support networks available for people with anxiety. This quick go-to pocket guide can help!

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