7 Biggest Diet & Lifestyle Mistakes - Anxiety/Panic

Is your diet and lifestyle actually making your anxiety or panic attacks worse?

Food, drink, exercise, posture etc. are essential to get right if you want to lower your anxiety levels. A targeted diet and a few lifestyle changes can make a world of difference.

Read on to discover the 7 biggest mistakes anxiety sufferers make, and what you should be doing instead.

7 diet and lifestyle mistakes that increase anxiety:

1. Not getting enough sleep

Sleep is essential for recharging the body's batteries, and for repairing cells. Try to get 7-8 hours sleep every night.

2. Eating 3 large meals per day

Large meals are harder to digest, and your blood sugar levels will fluctuate. Try eating 5-6 smaller meals during the course of the day. Eat slowly, and chew each mouthful until liquid.

3. Consuming too much sugar & caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant that can artificially increase anxiety levels. Sugar from cookies and candy can result in major fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Try herbal teas and fresh fruit as alternatives.

4. Drinking alcohol as an anxiety fix

Alcohol may seem to relax you in the short-term, but the long-term effects of regular drinking have been proven to have the opposite effect.

5. Not drinking enough water

Proper hydration is essential for our bodies to function properly. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Adding a drop of lemon juice can make for an appealing taste.

6. Avoiding exercise

Regular exercise will improve your overall health, which is one less thing to worry about. More specifically, exercise will improve your circulation, lung function, and burn off excess energy that can cause anxiety.

7. Bad posture

The cramped, defensive posture we adopt when anxious actually makes things worse. It restricts circulation, and results in incorrect, shallow breathing. Sit with you back straight and shoulders back.