Four Tips to Reduce Anxiety!

Hey there, everyone! It's me, Brendan, and if you've ever met me or really just existed in my general vicinity for any length of time, you know that I am an anxious person by nature. I worry a lot, sometimes about things that are far outside of my control (we'll get to that). Of course, I know I'm not the only one. We're in an anxious era, it seems, and that was what I wanted to talk about today.

I think that we are firmly past the era of shaming people for publicly discussing their mental health. If not, we definitely should be, because as we've discussed before here at Nakee, it's critical to be aware of your brain's needs and potential issues. With that said, today I wanted to go over six things that have helped me deal with my own anxiety and that may help you with yours.

If you feel that your anxiety or any other issue is affecting you to the degree that you need to seek professional assistance, don't hesitate to do so! 

Accepting What You Can't Control

Filing this one under "Things That Are Easier Said Than Done." Trust me, I know that as well as anyone. That doesn't make it any less of a good principle to pursue, though. Especially in today's very individualistic society, it's easy to feel at the same time as though you have immense control and none at all. Finding those boundaries in your life, observing and understanding how those limits affect you and how you can overcome related adversities is, in so many words, a key component to psychological harmony. 

One of the best ways to counter feelings of anxiety over what you can't control is to remember what you can, and the things you've accomplished within the sphere of your own influence. As Nakee's stickers often say, you're doing better than you think! Success should not always be measured by grades or promotions, by the way, but also overcoming challenges without labeled end points. Getting groceries after a long shift is an accomplishment, and I will not hear otherwise.

Make a List, Check It Twice

This one is sorely underrated, I think. In the digital age it can feel almost archaic to write out a list of tasks on paper with a pen (or pencil, if you prefer!), but it helps. There's psychological benefits to doing so; without definition, whatever it is you need to do can feel a lot bigger than it actually is, like a shadow creeping you out at night. But when you turn on the light and focus, you realize it was just those coats you needed to hang up in the closet, draped over your computer chair! Tasks feel smaller once their parameters are understood.

More than once I've been writing down a list of things to do for work and found the kernel of an idea that led to a brilliant TikTok or the topic for the next blog. Sometimes just sitting down and concentrating on the very first stage of what needs to be done is all it takes to get you moving on the journey toward accomplishment. Of course, the list can also help you avoid forgetting something important, which is its own source of anxiety!

Keep Healthy Habits

Of course we'd say this here at Nakee, but even aside from our biases on the subject it's good advice! Avoiding caffeine is the easiest way to keep anxiety tamed on this front; as with many things, it's safe to consume in moderation but can affect your health if used excessively. This goes double for stuff like energy drinks and supplements, which are tied to cardiac issues that can affect anxiety and other aspects of mental health. 

Another critical aspect is keeping and maintaining a decent sleep schedule. This can be just as hard as the dietary stuff, if not more so, considering how much our phones can keep us up and the effects of blue light on our sleeping patterns. Sleep allows our brains to relax and refresh, and affects a variety of cognitive skills that allow us to complete our work and keep our emotions regulated. Without consistent sleep, it can feel as though you're mentally (and physically) falling apart.

Connect With Others

To put it simply, social interactions provide emotional support. When we share our thoughts and feelings with trusted friends, we often gain perspective and reassurance, which can significantly reduce feelings of anxiety. Friends can offer practical advice, share similar experiences, and help us feel understood and less alone. This sense of belonging and validation can be incredibly comforting and can alleviate the stress and isolation that often accompany anxiety.

Moreover, engaging in social activities and building friendships can serve as a distraction from anxious thoughts. Spending time with others, whether it's through hobbies, sports, or simple conversations, can shift our focus away from internal worries and towards positive, external experiences. These interactions also encourage laughter and joy, which naturally counteract stress. By fostering meaningful connections, we create a support network that can help us navigate life's challenges more effectively, ultimately leading to improved mental health and resilience against anxiety.

There's a lot more than can be done, of course. I'm brushing up against the max word count here, but if I had to suggest a fifth strategy, buying Nakee Butter sounds like a good idea! It has a variety of active ingredients to bolster your energy and mental sharpness, after all, and it means you don't have to worry about what you're having for your afternoon snack.

Though this post is scratching the surface, these are some of the core strategies that can be used to reduce the severity of one's anxiety. I hope that you find them (and the associated links) useful, and I thank you as always for reading my rambling! This is Brendan, signing off.