What habits are making anxiety worse?

 

According to Dr. Rameez Shaikh, of Mind & Mood Clinic, a private Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Clinic in Nagpur “Chronic anxiety can be caused by factors which are out of control – such as trauma, chronic illness, death of a loved one, losing a job, and anxiety running in the family ”

Dr. Shaikh further states that ” But we can also have bad habits which are precipitating the anxiety attack and this is the part we can control . Once we are aware, we can commit to changing them and can begin to decrease and manage anxiety.”

12 Habits that are making anxiety dreadful

1. SKIPPING MEALS
   Skipping meals causes low glucose levels in the blood that can lead to symptoms such as irritability, nervousness, dizziness, light-headedness, and weakness.
2. REACHING FOR SUGAR
   Sugar has the ability to temporarily suppress anxiety and tension but studies show that it increases the risk of anxiety and depression as well as other health problems and diseases in long term.
3. POOR EATING HABITS.
   Poor eating habits include under- or overeating and can affect your intake of essential nutrients necessary for mental health and the functioning of the nervous system.
4. NOT EXERCISING
   Your body is designed to move and regular exercise helps to control your anxiety in long run.
5. WATCHING THE NEWS
   In the Era of ” breaking news ” and watching the news can exacerbate that problem, leaving you feeling moody and anxious afterward.
6. IGNORING YOUR ANXIETY
   our anxiety is a signal that is trying to indicate that you need to change something. Ignoring your anxiety will make it worse.
7. DRINKING CAFFEINE
   Caffeine is an “anxiety amplifier” that often affects anxiety hours later, making it difficult to realize the connection between the two.
8. PROCESSED FOODS
   Processed foods contain additives, and according to research, these ingredients can promote anxiety, while reducing mood,  and social behavior, and increased hyperactivity.
9. Dehydration
   Not getting enough fluid causes stress to your body, and when your body is stressed, you can experience common anxiety symptoms.
10. CONSUMING ALCOHOL
    While alcohol temporarily provides anxiety relief, making you feel happier and less anxious. But in the long run, alcohol causes sleep disturbances and an increased level of anxiety.
11. DECREASED SLEEP
    Getting less than 6 TO 8 hrs. of sleep can increase repetitive negative thoughts, and make it harder to let go of negative stuff – symptoms that are characteristic of anxiety.
12. COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS
    Comparing yourself to others can cause low mood, imitability, low self-esteem, and negative thoughts, that lead to anxiety.

Seeking help and treatment for Anxiety Disorder

 

Dr. Rameez Shaikh points out that anxiety isn’t always triggered by bad habits. Sometimes we do everything right and, out of nowhere, anxiety hits and triggers attacks. Anxiety disorder requires professional help from a psychiatrist to understand the root cause and treatment with counseling and medication if symptoms are severe.

If you’re living with chronic anxiety-like, you know it often comes and goes seemingly at random. But you can help yourself by being mindful of slipping into bad habits and making an effort to strive toward moderation — even if it doesn’t always work out.

Dr. Rameez Shaikh is a Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist in Sadar, Nagpur. He’s passionate about destigmatizing mental health and educating others about the realities of living with chronic anxiety and depression. In his spare time, he’s an aspiring singer and poem writer. He currently works at Mind & Mood Clinic in Nagpur. Follow him on Instagram.