7 ways to FIGHT ANXIETY

Is your worrying becoming a health condition? Seven experts give their top tips on how to cope

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1.Spare some time to practise mindfulness

The TV doctor

‘Keeping your mind healthy is as important as keeping your body healthy – now more so than ever. It’s so important to ensure you’re in a positive headspace and you’re equipped to deal with these strange, unsettling times motionally. Both [my GP wife] Clare and I spend around 15 minutes a day practising mindfulness, and we’re both determined to maintain this new routine post-lockdown, as it’s so important.

There are plenty of apps such as Headspace or Calm, but I also have some great mindfulness videos on The Fast800 online programme too.’ Dr Michael Mosley

2. Try lavender oil

The herbalist

‘Long-term stress and anxiety can have a negative effect on the body so it’s important to lessen anxiety, whether that’s through physical means, learning to say no, or using herbal medicines for short-term relief at particularly stressful times.

There are several herbs that have calming properties and have been used traditionally for many years to relieve symptoms of stress and anxiety, such as passionflower, Avena sativa, lavender oil, and hops and valerian. These herbs don’t have the addictive or withdrawal problems that can sometimes be associated with long-term use of prescribed benzodiazepine drugs.’ Dr Chris Etheridge, chair of the British Herbal Medicine Association

BUT REMEMBER…