Anxiety negatively impacts a victim’s mental and physical health. Someone with anxiety can feel restless and nervous. The condition’s long-term effects include insomnia and depression. You may also experience suicidal thoughts and difficulties with socialization/ work/ school. Discussed below are five ways to reduce anxiety.

1.    Leverage CBD

Studies suggest that CBD can effectively relieve anxiety. The appropriate dosage for a victim to reduce stress varies depending on the CBD product they’re using, how they’re administering it, and individual health factors. The administration method you choose determines how fast cannabinoids start taking effect. Orally administered CBD, including edibles and oils, takes longer to show effects than vaping/smoking CBD oil.

The right CBD dosage for anxiety differs from one individual to another. So, start small and increase your dosage based on how your body reacts. Since CBD consumption may have side effects like drowsiness and weight changes, consulting a medical professional is necessary. Since not all CBD products are top quality, consider consuming a reputable product, such as Secret Nature CBD, for effective anxiety relief.

2.    Embrace physical activity

When undergoing anxiety, exercising could be the last thing on your mind. Working out regularly can help ease anxiety by:

• Taking the mind off whatever is worrying you, which gets you away from the negative thoughts cycle that feeds anxiety
• Releasing endorphins responsible for enhancing happiness and well-being

Starting and adhering to a workout routine isn’t easy. However, these steps can help:

• Identifying the activities you love
• Consulting your doctor or mental health specialist for support
• Setting reasonable goals
• Assess your barriers to solutions
• Preparing for setbacks

3.    Consider anxiety journaling

Anxiety journaling aims at getting negative thoughts out of your mind and into a record. It lays bare your fears by writing them on paper, which is an initial step to accepting your anxiety issues and finding ways to move past them. Journaling enables you to monitor your symptoms. It records your experiences to assist you in learning how to work on your mental health for anxiety relief.

Writing your thoughts down helps you fight your vulnerabilities, reducing anxiety. If you’re new to journaling, start by keeping it simple and making it a habit. There are no rules for journaling. You don’t need to follow a specific format or template. Finding journaling prompts can help you cope with anxiety effectively.

4.    Leverage cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) effectively treats anxiety disorders. Its primary focus is looking for practical solutions to an individual’s anxiety symptoms and triggers. It equips you with the skills necessary for interrupting and altering problematic or  negative behavior and thoughts that feed your mental health issues. Cognitive behavioral therapy is an evidence-based practice that can effectively treat multiple anxiety disorders, including:

• Social anxiety disorder
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Specific phobias
• Noise sensitivity anxiety
• Panic disorder

CBT can also aid with other disorders sharing the anxiety symptom like PTSD.

5.    Join an anxiety support group

Anxiety support groups usually assist victims to develop skills to minimize anxiety effects. Most of these groups provide online and in-person meetings. Joining a support group enables you to feel less lonely/ judged/ isolated while allowing you to openly and honestly express your emotions, which helps reduce anxiety.

Endnote

Anxiety’s effects on your mental and physical health can be severe. Consider using these tips to reduce anxiety.

Join OC Parks, Newport Bay Conservancy and volunteers around the world for Coastal Cleanup Day at Upper Newport Bay on Saturday, Sept. 23. Lend a helping hand and make a positive impact on our coastlines as we work together to remove trash and recyclables from the marsh, waterway and beaches.

Every September, families, friends, co-workers, schools and scouts from across Orange County come together to volunteer their time cleaning up Upper Newport Bay. This year’s goal is to remove more than 10,000 pounds of trash, as waste items can harm wildlife, pollute waterways and impact public health.

“I look forward to participating in Coastal Cleanup Day at the Upper Newport Bay every year,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Orange County Board of Supervisors. “Last year, we cleaned up thousands of tiny Styrofoam particles that washed into the Bay. We must protect our beautiful Newport Bay for current and future generations to enjoy. I invite volunteers of all ages to participate in this great opportunity to clean our coast and get involved in your community.”

At least 800 volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to clean up trash from the uplands and marsh areas of the Bay and remove invasive plant species. Volunteers will meet at various mini-cleanup sites around the 11-mile stretch of the Bay. Exact meeting locations will be announced prior to Sept. 23.

Participants are encouraged to wear old clothes, closed-toe shoes (tall/rubber boots are best) and bring a refillable water bottle, reusable mask, gloves and a trash bag or bucket. A commemorative t-shirt will be given to everyone volunteering. 

September 23 – Coastal Cleanup Day

Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Cost and Parking: Free

Location: Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coastal-cleanup-day  

Additional Event Partners: Newport Bay Conservancy, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, City of Newport Beach, Orange County Coastkeeper and Newport Aquatic Center.

Credit: OC Parks.