5 Anxiety Triggers You Can Identify & Control!
There are some surprising things that cause anxiety. Of course, there are more than a handful of triggers for anxiety.
It all depends on the person and what personally affects them. You may have a different trigger for your anxiety.
There are many common triggers like public speaking, a job interview, or starting the first day of school.
But, what about the lesser-known causes? The ones that we aren’t even aware trigger our bodies to feel anxious? And are you aware of them?
Just remember, anxiety can pop up in the most random moments in your life. Even if what you’re experiencing isn’t on this list, it doesn’t mean it’s not a symptom of anxiety.
Here Are 5 Surprising Things That Cause Anxiety:
1. PMS
Just another fun item to add to the list of symptoms of PMS. The hormones you experience during that time of the month can have an affect on your anxiety.
The stress hormone, Cortisol, increases before your period even starts. Causing you to become a worried mess and make you feel like you’re going crazy.
If you find that you can normally handle your anxiety most of the time, but find it unbearable at times, check your calendar. If you notice your date approaching, there are a few things you can do to reduce these anxiety symptoms:
Change your diet. Drink a lot of water and focus on eating stress reducing foods.
This will level out your cortisol levels, reducing feelings of panic.
Go on more walks. Walking really helps reduce anxiety during any time you feel it coming on.
Take a quick 20 minute walk, even a few times a day.
This will help you focus on the present and feel less overwhelmed.
2. YOUR PARENTS
How your parents treat you can have a direct impact on your anxiety. Whether or not they are intentionally doing it.
If you have parents who cater too much to your needs and worry about everything you do, this can rub off on you. Causing you to worry or stress out.
If you don’t have a good relationship with your parents, this can also cause anxiety. Seeking approval, or feeling distant from your parents can make it difficult to know how to be a functioning adult.
If we aren’t taught the right skills we need as kids, learning those things as we’re older becomes difficult. If you realized that your parents have a big effect on the way you live your life, you can work on changing it. At the end of the day, you are your own person.
3. ANXIETY CAUSES ANXIETY
If you’re aware you have anxiety, you could make it worse by bringing on more anxiety. Thinking about a time when you felt anxious can cause you to start feeling anxious again.
It’s a crappy cycle to be in. Anxiety can build onto itself if you allow it.
The best way to break the cycle is by working on worrying less, facing your fears, and practicing self-care to reduce the anxiety you’re feeling.
Worrying is just like fear, because it’s False Evidence Appearing Real. The more you believe in it, the more power you give it.
That’s why you have to work on getting over your fears and seeing that not everything is as bad as it seems.
4. AFTER EATING FOOD
We all know the feeling. Eating way too much then we were supposed to. But, did you know that it can also affect anxiety?
You may experience symptoms such as chest pains, heart palpitations, lightheadedness, and indigestion.
Experiencing any of these symptoms can make you feel worried, causing your anxiety to spike. The solution to this is to eat a well balanced deal, and eat slowly.
Focus on foods that lower stress levels and that keep you feeling full. So you don’t feel the need to have to eat two servings.
5. TV
Watching a lot of crime television and news causes anxiety. Even if you can watch it without a problem, you could experience anxiety effects later on.
Let’s say you hear on the news someone was murdered downtown in an alleyway. The next time you go downtown and see an alleyway, the image instantly floods into your brain. Causing a little fear and anxiety.
The best option if you get scared after watching TV is to avoid those channels. Most of the time, the news focuses on the bad because it’s more exciting.
They want to get the best story, but it doesn’t mean the whole world is a crazy scary place. And you have to balance that news out with the good, or it can lead to a lot of worry and anxiety.
I know that sometimes anxiety can make things feel way worse than they are, and like things won’t ever get any better. But, they will.
It starts with first pinpointing what is causing your anxiety, then working on helpful techniques every day to make it smaller.
Being able to control your anxiety will help you balance your life and become your best self in a more decisive way!
