Anxiety can affect anyone’s life. Although the sun is shining, birds are chirping, and kids are out of school, summertime is no exception. Some days, it may feel better to keep yourself grounded at home or another safe space rather than attempting to socialize or explore — believe it or not, that isn’t the best strategy. Here are a couple of simple ways to keep your anxiety at bay when summertime fun is to be had!
Spend More Time in Nature
You hear it all the time from virtually everyone, but that doesn’t make it any less valid: Anxiety medication for adults will definitely help. However, nature is full of life; surrounding yourself with fresh air, singing birds, and thriving plants will also have a foundational impact on your mood. At the very least, stroll through your neighborhood; feel the sun on your cheeks and the breeze through your hair.
Find Workouts You Like
Anxiety can turn into disinterest or laziness, which feeds your fear more. Break that cycle by getting active in some form or fashion. Typically, when people hear that, they want to run for the hills, but “getting active” doesn’t necessarily mean working out in a gym full of sweaty people making loud noises. Here’s a small sample of enjoyable workouts that don’t include the gym:
- Rock climbing
- Mountain biking
- Yoga
- Hiking
- Dancing
Medicate if Necessary
Medication may be the next best step if you’ve struggled with anxiety for a while and feel like you’ve exhausted all your options. Talking to doctors can be stressful, especially regarding your mental health. Luckily, there are options for non prescription anxiety medication, so you can avoid the doctor visit altogether if need be.
A trip to the doctor is a nerve-wracking experience for many people, with or without anxiety. If you’ve been through this before, you’ll know that there are habit-forming and non habit forming anxiety meds. For many, habit-forming medication may be a step in the wrong direction. Be sure to avoid any added stress by establishing your concerns immediately, and conduct some research to ensure that the meds you choose are, without a doubt, suitable for you.
Watch Your Diet
Just as your environment and surroundings will affect your attitude, what you put into your body will also influence you. Although it’s summer, and a cold beer and a cig could be calling your name, alcohol and nicotine tend to cause mood issues or magnify the effects. Though summer is also iced-coffee season, you should watch your caffeine intake; it mimics the effect of anxiety and, in turn, will emphasize those feelings. Rather than packing yourself full of anxiety-enhancing goodies, try complex carbohydrates, such as quinoa, whole-grain bread and cereals, and oatmeal. Don’t forget to hydrate!
Don’t let your mental health get in the way of enjoying your summer. Research the many options that can help you overcome your anxiety and make sure you can get out, relish in the sunshine, and do the things you love without worry.