Just the word anxiety can send anxious thoughts through a person’s body. The dread of going into a crowd, dealing with family over the holidays, or worrying about grades can all cause bouts of anxiety. For some, these experiences are fleeting. For others, anxiety is a daily occurrence. Wherever you are on the spectrum, you’re not alone.
It’s reported that 18.1% of adults are diagnosed with anxiety, with 36.9% opting not to seek treatment. That’s a lot of nervous tension out in our world. So, what is causing everyone to feel this pressure and how do we know it’s getting the best of us? Here are 10 common reasons you may be experiencing anxiety.
Top 10 Reasons for Anxiety
Anxiety comes in many shapes and forms. In the same respect, people of all shapes and forms experience anxiety. Many scenarios may cause a person to feel an immediate rush of anxious behaviors. If these scenarios persist, so may the anxious symptoms you portray. Let’s take a look at the top 10 reasons for anxiety and what symptoms to look for so you can find relief.
1. Society
We are so connected with our ex-classmates, co-workers, best friend’s cousin … it’s a lot. From childhood to adulthood, it’s hard to keep up appearances. With the growth of social media, the need to keep these appearances up has never been higher.
Sadly, social media is drawing us in. Research indicates that just 10 minutes online increases our oxytocin promotion by a whopping 13%. In search of that rush, we put pressure on ourselves to put out content that receives more social engagements. Therefore, our minds will reward us with more neurotransmitters.
Consequently, we sometimes have to create a false narrative to get those likes. We can be having the worst day in the world but need to think of a witty caption for that coffee cup Insta post. This type of obsessive thinking is a symptom of anxiety.
2. Crowds
You know what’s so alluring about social media? Through social media, you are interacting with a bunch of people. However, you don’t really have to interact with them. In fact, there’s probably a good chance you’d avoid your Facebook friends if you saw them in public.
One of the common causes of anxiety is crowded spaces. Especially in today’s highly volatile world, we all need a little personal space. Not knowing what’s going to happen next (or where), may make you no longer feel safe in crowds. You’re not alone.
The condition is known as agoraphobia. You may feel bouts of anxiety in situations such as:
- Public transportation
- Elevator rides
- Standing in a crowd
- Airport traveling
- Being out of your home
- Going to a party
A chief aspect of agoraphobia is the fear of experiencing a panic attack or anxiety attack in public. Therefore, you may experience symptoms such as dizziness, sweating, or chest pain during crowd-induced anxious episodes.
If you know entering a crowd may trigger an anxiety attack, be proactive. Take an all-natural supplement that will help you find balance like Tranquiline. Tranquiline is formulated with GABA, which is a neurotransmitter our brain creates to calm the system. By using Tranquilene, you will feel less on edge in crowded areas much in thanks to the vitamin D3 and tryptophan in the formula. These are included to help increase your brain’s production of serotonin.
3. Past Situations
Our experiences make us who we are. Unfortunately, anxiety may be genetic. This reason for anxiety falls into the nature vs. nurture argument. Research shows there are three areas of the brain that are associated with anxiety. Each sector of the mind has inheritable qualities. Therefore anxiety may be inherited.
Parents with no history of anxiety can easily have a child develop anxious behavior. People can develop anxiety over time due to bullying in school, genetic mutations, a bad relationship, or a myriad of other reasons. Our past makes us who we are, but we don’t need to be defeated by it. Please seek professional help if life events have triggered your anxious behaviors.
4. Stepping Outside of the Zone
Anytime we step outside of our comfort zone we grow. Sometimes, however, we do it kicking and screaming. Whether it’s ziplining, transitioning to a new job, or getting out of a bad marriage, stepping outside of your comfort zone is daunting. The unknown can be scary waters to tread.
If you have a fear of water and know the family cruise is coming up, you may experience crippling anxiety for weeks. These sorts of scenarios can lead to many nights tossing and turning and many days of interrupted thought patterns.
5. Fear of Failure
For some unknown reason, humans have this belief system that we need to be perfect. Although we have these profound dreams and desires, we can’t fail along the way of getting there. That’s a monumental burden to place on ourselves. Yet, the fear of failure is one of the top reasons we experience anxiety.
The fear of failure boils down to one symptom of anxiety, lack of self-esteem. When we don’t believe in ourselves, we will never obtain the goals we wish to achieve. Going into a situation with a defeated mindset will only give you a defeated result. In the end, the unfavorable outcome only confirms your suspicions–you’re not good enough. This train of thought will lead to a life of complacency.
Research shows that repetitive negative thought patterns are toxic to your success in work and relationships. Apprehension because you are worried about bad things happening, such as embarrassing yourself, is a telltale sign of anxiety.
6. Poor Diet
Our diet influences so much of our everyday’s lives. Every food we consume communicates with the cells inside of our bodies. Unfortunately, our food is being tampered with, throwing the communications a bit off kilter. Between GMOs, hormones, pesticides, and artificial ingredients, our diets are destroying our gut health.
Research shows that gut health is tied to mental health. At the end of the brainstem is a series of nerves known as the vagus nerve. They test our stomach acid. When gut bacteria gets too acidic, the vagus nerve sends a signal to the brain. As a result, we feel bouts of anxiety. This unique communication system is known as the gut-brain axis.
7. Stress
Unfortunately, humans accept stress as part of the deal. Our bodies, on the other hand, don’t agree. They hate stress and want it to stop.
When we experience anxiety, our adrenal glands secrete a hormone called cortisol. In small doses, cortisol is great, even necessary. However, as stress gets chronic, so does cortisol production.
As we produce excess cortisol, our emotional response to stress heightens. Therefore, perceived stress increases. This situation becomes an ongoing cycle that depletes us of hormones and leads to adrenal fatigue.
Stress seems inevitable. We have relationships to maintain, jobs to excel in, and children to raise. That’s a full plate. Therefore, you might need help balancing the cortisol levels. All-natural supplements like Ayurvedic Ashwagandha may help.
Research on this ancient root indicates, “Ashwagandha root extract safely and effectively improves an individual’s resistance towards stress and thereby improves self-assessed quality of life.”
8. No Way to Release It
When we build up anxiety, sometimes we need to let it loose. However, we don’t know where to release it. Seeing as one-third of the population is overweight, a majority of people are missing out on the best way to release anxiety. We’re talking about getting their sweat on. Seeing as excessive sweating is a symptom of anxiety, you’re already halfway there!
Exercise is a great way to release pent-up anxiety. You channel your focus on getting through the grueling workout. This task keeps your mind off other pressing issues that are causing you anxiety. Plus, exercise helps boost neurotransmitters that make you feel good.
If you already exercise, then you need to find other ways to channel your energy. Consider volunteering at an animal shelter, take a painting class, or go hiking in the woods. Find different ways to handle your anxiety rather than sitting around and dwelling in it.
9. Mental Illness
While anxiety in varying degrees is common, it’s not always the only issue to contend with. Anxiety is also a symptom of other mental illnesses.
If you are experiencing anxiety often, you should seek help from a mental health professional. You may have some underlying issues that you need to address, and taking tips from this article won’t suffice.
Therefore, if you have any concerns that your anxiety is just one layer of a much bigger problem, please ask for help. Even if you just need the reassurance, it’s better to play it safe when it comes to mental wellness.
10. Lack of Sleep
There are two common symptoms of anxiety that go hand-in-hand–restlessness and insomnia. Think of a sleepless night. Is there a lot of whining? Tossing and turning? Watching the clock and dreading being productive the next day is an extreme cause for anxiety.
With chronic anxiety, elevated cortisol levels deplete our melatonin production. Melatonin regulates when we wake and when we snooze. If no melatonin gets created, then a lot of sleep is going to be counted.
Help regulate your melatonin production. Supplement with a blend of melatonin and other sleep-inducing botanicals with Sleep Fast. Sleep Fast is a non-addictive way to get a good night’s rest. It’s a simple spray that easily portable for the anxious and jet-lagged traveler.
For those who are experiencing severe cases of anxiety and sleep problems, you may want to try out Sleep Fast Plus. Sleep Fast Plus has many of the benefits of Sleep Fast. However, they are accelerated in thanks to full spectrum hemp oil. Our blend is rich cannabinoids that research suggest may sedate overexcited receptors keeping us up at night.
These same receptors may behind the anxious behavior you exhibit during the daytime hours. If you need full spectrum hemp oil relief without falling asleep on the job, try Serenity Hemp Oil. These tinctures are taken by the mouth. Due to the capillaries under the tongue, you absorb the benefits of hemp oil much quicker. Serenity is easy to pop in a purse, carry-on bag, or jacket pocket.
Don’t Be a Victim to Anxiety
Our overactive minds sometimes need a rest. Therefore, we need to find ways to give the brain some solace. Worry less about society. That means, don’t check in on social media so often, and bug out in public even less. Try to let go of past situations and step outside of your comfort zone.
Remove the toxins from your life. Avoid stress and a poor diet. Find a way to release your anxiety and get a good night’s rest. Most importantly, talk to a professional. Mental health is not something we should take lightly.
Are you one of the 18.1% with stress? Tell us how you deal with stress with the comments below!
