Tips on how to cope with anxiety and worry

Psychologists have come up with a few time-tested ways to better cope with worry and anxiety.

• Understand how other people influence your mood
• Remain focused on the present, instead of dwelling on the past
• Allow the future to unfold naturally
• Avoid worrying about unsolvable problems

Here are some other methods to include in your daily routine that may be helpful:

Sleep Matters

You’ve probably heard the axiom, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Well, you can expect to sleep in death a lot sooner if you do not get quality sleep while your heart still beats. Numerous studies link quality sleep to enhanced mental and physical performance. Sleep matters when it comes to coping with worry and anxiety. The well-rested ones worry less and have a more “glass is half full” mentality.

Diet and Nutrition

Your diet and nutritional intake can play an important role in how the brain functions. Eating more fresh fruits, vegetables, and nutrient-dense whole foods can help your body function on a more optimal level. Here are nine foods that can help or hurt your anxiety!

Exercise

The best way to rid yourself of a bad day that increases anxiety is to burn anxiety away at the gym. Your mind feeds off signals released in the body, and pent up anxiety leaves you as fast as the calories you burn pumping iron or riding a stationary bicycle. After a 60-minute workout, your brain clears out most of the factors that make you worry.