Chronic anxiety refers to a long-term, persistent experience of excessive worry, fear, or nervousness. Unlike situational anxiety, which is a natural response to stressors and typically subsides when the stressor is removed, chronic anxiety tends to persist over an extended period, often for months or even years.
Anxiety can have significant effects on both your wellbeing and performance. These effects can manifest in various aspects of your life, impacting your physically, emotionally, and cognitively.
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Physical Health:
- Muscle Tension: Anxiety often leads to increased muscle tension, which can result in headaches, back pain, and general discomfort.
- Fatigue: Chronic anxiety can contribute to persistent fatigue, as the body is constantly in a heightened state of arousal.
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Sleep Disturbances: Anxiety is closely linked to sleep disorders, such as insomnia. Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep can exacerbate feelings of tiredness and stress.
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Emotional Wellbeing:
- Mood Swings: Anxiety can cause mood swings, leading to irritability, frustration, and emotional instability.
- Depression: Prolonged anxiety may contribute to the development or worsening of depressive symptoms.
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Isolation: Some individuals may withdraw from social activities due to fear or discomfort, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
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Cognitive Function:
- Difficulty Concentrating: Anxiety can make it challenging to focus and concentrate on tasks, affecting cognitive performance.
- Memory Issues: Chronic anxiety may impair both short-term and long-term memory, making it difficult to recall information.
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Decision-Making: Anxiety can lead to indecision and second-guessing, making it harder to make choices confidently.
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Work and Academic Performance:
- Procrastination: Anxiety can lead to procrastination, as individuals may feel overwhelmed by the tasks at hand.
- Reduced Productivity: Difficulty concentrating and procrastination can result in decreased productivity in both academic and professional settings.
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Impaired Performance: Anxiety may negatively impact performance on exams, presentations, and other tasks that require focus and attention.
Lifestyle changes can play a significant role in managing chronic anxiety. While they may not offer a complete solution, incorporating these adjustments into your daily routine can contribute to a more balanced and resilient mindset. Here are some lifestyle changes that may help with chronic anxiety:
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Regular Exercise
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Balanced Diet
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Adequate Sleep
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Limit Stimulants
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Social Support
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Mindfulness Practices
In addition to lifestyle changes, there are certain groups of natural herbs and substances, known as adaptogens, that have shown to have potential benefits for managing chronic anxiety. These natural substances are rich in antioxidants and have been used in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, for centuries. Adaptogens are thought to enhance the body's ability to resist and respond to stressors, including physical, emotional, chemical, or biological stress.
At Formexc, we use the world's finest adaptogens in BALANCE for every day health and wellbeing. The adaptogens we use in BALANCE includes, Ashwagandha (KSM-66®), Rhodiola Rosea, Organic Persian Saffron and L-thanine.
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