Focus On Easing Anxiety

Could your worries be making you ill? Help your mental and physical health with these top tips

- Ali Horsfall

Feeling stressed and nervous is normal from time to time – this emotional reaction helps us handle challenges or threatening situations. But if the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response starts up too often or for too long, the daily flow of stress hormones puts our health at serious risk. ‘Chronic stress can trigger and intensify tension headaches, damage sleep, weaken the immune system, can wear you down and lead to depression and anxiety,’ says pharmacist Sultan Dajan.

Pandemic panic

It’s no surprise that the nation’s anxiety levels have soared since the arrival of COVID-19. According to a study by the Office for National Statistics, almost 50% of Brits reported ‘high’ anxiety as we entered lockdown earlier in the year, and since then, there’s been a 10 to 15% increase in anti-anxiety prescriptions across the UK.* ‘Times of uncertainty creates worry, anxiety and a sense that you’re out of control,’ says Dr. Pegah Shojaii from SmartTMS. But there are steps you can take to steady your mind.

6 WAYS TO REDUCE ANXIETY

1 Get mindful

It’s not just a buzzword – one in three Brits now prioritize mindfulness to combat anxiousness and the effects of stress.** Want to give it a go? Try the Headspace ‘Stress’ meditation pack and learn how to re-frame your negative emotions (£9.99 per month). ‘Controlled breathing exercises and yoga will also help with letting go of worry and fear,’ says yoga instructor, Hannah Barrett.

2 Reclaim your rest