Anxiety treatment generally involves a combination of psychotherapy and prescription medications. Both of these components are important. The medications help adjust your brain chemistry so that you're able to make that initial push and start healing. Psychotherapy gives you tools you can use to work through your current anxiety and also ward off anxiety in the future. But just because these are the two things your doctor recommends does not mean they're the only things you can do to treat your anxiety. Here are some life habits you can develop to help enhance your anxiety treatment.
Get More Exercise
Exercise is so important for your physical health, but people don't always realize how important it is for their mental health, too. It causes the release of endorphins, which are brain chemicals that help you feel more positive. Getting more exercise can therefore help ease your anxiety. Try going for a walk every morning or evening, or head to the gym a few days a week to do some lifting.
Stop Using Caffeine
If you use caffeine, putting an end to that habit can help ease your anxiety. While caffeine does not typically cause anxiety, it almost always makes it worse. Try switching to decaffeinated coffee. If you don't want to quit immediately, you can drink a mixture of half caffeinated coffee and half decaffeinated coffee for a week before cutting it down to just decaf.
Do Something Quiet and Relaxing Every Day
Find something quiet and relaxing that you like to do, such as reading a book, coloring, or making jewelry. It should be something that takes you away from technology and calms your mood. Commit yourself to spending some time doing this activity every day. Even if you can only dedicate just a few minutes to it, you'll be more relaxed at the end of the day and your anxiety levels should start to decline.
Get Massages
Massages are not just good for your muscles and physical body. They can also be incredibly relaxing for your mental state. Get a massage every other week, or even just once a month. Choose a massage therapist who uses essential oils for aromatherapy and who really focuses on your mood throughout the treatment.
Psychotherapy and medication are the cornerstones of anxiety treatment, but they do not need to be the only treatments you rely on. Consider implementing the habits above for more improvements along the way. For more information, contact a service like BrainCore Therapy of Louisville.
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