We all experience stress now and then, but if you feel this way most of the time, it could be because you have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety is a mental health issue that affects millions of people all over the world. Sadly, the commonness of the disorder doesn’t make it any easier. As a self-sustaining issue, the symptoms of anxiety often cause you to make choices that intensify the worry you feel. With that in mind, here are six huge mistakes that can make anxiety worse.
1. Validating What You Fear
A common symptom of anxiety is irrational fears. The trouble is, despite knowing their fears are irrational, many people with anxiety still try to validate them. Rather than accept the physical symptoms of their disorder, they will look them up online, convincing themselves that they are seriously sick. This behavior only causes more worry, so it’s important that you try to avoid it.
2. Missing Out On Sleep
Sleeping with anxiety can definitely be difficult. Stress will often keep you awake or make sleep restless, resulting in sleep deprivation. Although there are tactics for getting to sleep, like writing in a journal, you won’t always get a good night’s rest. What’s worse is that many people with anxiety stay awake all night on purpose. It’s essential that you try to get plenty of rest every night.
3. Assuming Experts Can’t Help
Self-treatment isn’t effective with all cases of anxiety. Unfortunately, many people would rather struggle alone than ask for help. Despite how bad your anxiety is, there’s no reason to assume an expert couldn’t help. There are many options they could offer you, including an anxiety treatment center. It isn’t weak to get a professional opinion, so seek help when you need it.
4. Spending Time Around Negativity
Human beings are social creatures, which is why we need social interaction to live happy lives. This social nature means that we’re very good at picking up emotions, particularly bad ones. When you spend too much time around negative people, their bad moods will begin to affect your mental health. Happier people will have a much more positive influence on your life.
5. Eating A Poor Diet
Everyone knows that the food we eat affects us physically. However, what most people don’t realize is that it can contribute to changes in mood too. Eating too much sugar, for example, will eventually cause you to crash, leaving you feeling low and irritable. A balanced diet will help you to maintain a balanced mood, especially if you incorporate anti-anxiety foods into your meals.
6. Trying Unhealthy Coping Tactics
Smoking, drinking, and other unhealthy habits offer us a release from worry. However, this benefit isn’t nearly as great as it might appear. Not only will these habits harm your health, but that release is only temporary. This might cause you to drink or smoke more, resulting in an addiction. From that point on, you won’t be able to deal with anxiety without your mental crutch.
Living with anxiety can be difficult, but you’ll find it easier to do if you avoid making the mistakes listed above.
*contributed post*
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