What Causes Anxiety?

No matter your age, you could suffer from anxiety. Whether it is just a feeling that strikes ever so often or if it’s something your struggle with daily, getting down to the causes can be helpful to overcoming symptoms. Finding what causes anxiety and recognizing when symptoms arise, you can take steps to reduce the possibility of getting nervous or anxious throughout your day.

What Causes Anxiety?

There is still not a clear reason as to what causes anxiety. Different people have different responses when they get nervous, making it difficult to define one single cause. While anxiety is a normal emotion, those who suffer from an anxiety disorder could experience symptoms that affect their everyday lives.

Though there is no known cause for all types of anxiety, there are disorders that are commonly associated with anxiety. Theses are:

Depression
Drug and alcohol use
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Diagnosed general anxiety disorder

Anxiety Risk Factors

Not everyone suffers from anxiety disorders but, everyone has the ability to feel anxious once in a while. Those who are at risk for development of developing anxiety disorders include:

Those with large amounts of stress
People with a family history of anxiety-related disorders
Type-A personalities
Those who’ve experienced trauma
Women (two times more likely)

Dealing with Anxiety

Knowing what causes anxiety, you could get closer to dealing with it. Finding the root cause or noticing triggers that produce anxious feelings, you could learn how to listen to your body and react accordingly. If you have a lot of stress in your day-to-day life, try and take steps to reduce it when you can. Then, try a few of these exercises that reduce anxious feelings.

Count your Breath

Breathing has a way of soothing the nerves and calming us down. Try breathing in deeply and counting your inhale. Then, hold a few seconds and exhale, counting your exhale as well. The goal is to take your mind off of whatever is bringing stress and get oxygen-rich blood pumping back into your brain.

Yoga

Yoga is a rhythmic practice that combines breath with deep stretches. Not only will you gain flexibility but you’ll also have a happier and healthier mental state. Try and practice at least three times a week, giving your mind and body a break.

Sweat

No matter if you feel like dancing, running, or biking, it’s good to break a sweat. Make it a goal to sweat a bit every single day, getting rid of toxins that build up in your body. The more you sweat the better you’ll feel, stopping anxiety in its tracks.

Be Aware

Though it’s not certain what the exact cause of anxiety is, there are ways you can overcome it. Start living a healthier life and be more aware of your surroundings. Avoiding triggers, staying away from stress, and practicing awareness are sure ways to combat anxiety, stopping your symptoms before they become severe and keeping you in a positive mental space.