Outsmart the new anxieties

Experts reveal the modern-day stressors that are becoming more common-and the solutions that will tame tensions and increase joy

- 

Whether you're fielding a deluge of emails or worrying about finances, you feel like your anxieties are multiplying by the day. You're not alone: According to a new poll by anxiety tracking app AQ, the pressures of contemporary life are affecting us more than ever.

"Tensions like 'bankxiety,' stress over the cost of living, and 'pingxiety' from endless messages on our devices, are making us feel overwhelmed," says neuropsychologist Shaun Nanavati, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer of AQ.

We're experiencing an uptick in worry because our nervous system isn't equipped to address so many modern stressors, says psychiatrist Ellen Vora, M.D., author of The Anatomy of Anxiety. "We evolved in communities of 100 to 200 people, and our brain is calibrated to absorb smaller doses of information," she says. "But between our devices and the constant bad news cycle, we're hyper aware of everything wrong in the world, and it damages mental health.”

The good news is you can quell anxiety and enjoy more peace of mind. "The takeaway of our findings is that it's not you, it's your environment," says Nanavati. "Anxiety isn't static-there's an ebb and flow to it throughout the day-and once you're aware of your triggers, you can do something about them." Just read for four of the most common modernday worries and easy ways to alleviate them so you can enjoy the truly relaxing summer you deserve.

PLAGUED BY 'BANKXIETY'?
Tell a new story