What are the most common causes of anxiety?
First and foremost, acknowledging that you have anxiety is important.
Another year has commenced and you might be feeling the stress and uneasiness that comes with anxiety.
Many people walk around their day-to-day lives not knowing that their feelings of panic, rapid heartbeats, fear, and sweating all point to anxiety.
It doesn't mean that there is something wrong with you, it merely means that you have now identified what the symptoms lead to and you can properly address it. Some don't acknowledge it out of fear of what it might mean, but doing that can potentially only cause more anxiety.
For some, anxiety can kick in at the most unlikely time and can be harmful. Therefore it is important to identify what triggers your anxiety.
In the world we live in, there could be several reasons behind a panic attack, so, we can understand how it can be daunting to think about what could be the cause, as that means having to think about all your possible trigger points.
Ironically, thinking that something is wrong with your health could be a contributing factor to your anxiety and can interfere with your daily function.
Another common cause of anxiety is the fear of what might happen to your loved ones. This tends to sit with the caregivers or breadwinners of a family.
"Not only might people worry about something happening to their children, close family members, or friends, but also how they'll cope if something bad actually does happen." (MSN)
Money is another cause. Funnily enough, both a lack of it and an abundance can equally cause a person to feel anxious. The lack is obvious, you link this to survival and without the promise of it, you feel afraid.
And when you have money, you think about all the things that might cause you to lose it. Equally a cause of anxiety.
Coffee is another anxiety aid. Referred to as a stimulant, some people who drink more than one cup of coffee can experience anxiety attacks if they are sensitive to caffeine.
"Other stimulants, such as cannabis to relax, can also trigger anxiety. Many people attempt to self-medicate when they become anxious, but this can actually backfire with stimulants." (MSN)
Sleep deprivation can also add to anxiety.
Other things that contribute to anxiety include perfectionism, not being in control of a situation, having an argument or disagreement in a relationship, social media, eating lots of processed foods, and being separated from a loved one.
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Here are some helpful ways to deal with anxiety.
- Try figuring out what triggers your anxiety. A good way of doing this is to start journalling what happened before the anxiety takes over. You could even make short videos or voice notes if that works better for you than writing.
- "Try to turn to your self-care activities before any chaos happens. Coping mechanisms like distraction and mindfulness practice can be helpful. Also, opening up to others about what you're experiencing can help you get through it." (MSN)
- Stay away from stimulants like caffeine that can trigger you.
- Stick to a healthier diet. Take time to prepare fresh meals with fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Keep the scrolling on social media down to a minimum or better yet, eliminate it from your day-to-day routine.
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