LIFE is hard. So why invite anything into your day that could bring you stress? Unfortunately we don’t always know we’re doing this. In fact, some of the things people seek out to relieve their anxiety might make it worse. These are the things to avoid if you want to feel calm and relaxed. 1. Your cozy sofa You might think returning home to your soft couch at the end of the day will bring you comfort, but it’s actually the problem. According to a recent review published in the journal BMC Public Health, sedentary behaviors may increase your risk of developing anxiety. 2. Your closed windows University of Pittsburgh researchers found that when hospital patients were exposed to natural light, they experienced less pain and stress. So instead of covering up sunshine with window treatments or shades, why not nix them altogether? 3. Your housemates Since conflict and arguments are major stressors, so are the people or animals you live with. But that doesn’t mean these housemates don’t also bring you serious joy at times. Just make sure you make time for yourself to balance everything out. 4. Your levels of hydration A study in the Journal of Nutrition found that even mild dehydration can trigger disturbances in mood. And a 2009 study at Tufts University found a link between hydration and mood in student athletes, who reported feeling angry and tense when they didn’t drink enough water. 5. Your messy closet According to researchers at UCLA, there’s a link between high cortisol (a stress hormone) and women whose homes have a “high density of household objects.” We’re talking about clutter, like the clothes strewn all over your bedroom. 6. Your junk food Put down the chips. According to the Stress Management Society, what you put in your body has a direct correlation to your anxiety levels. Healthy foods with high vitamin and mineral levels will help relieve stress, while junk food induces it. 7. Your decorative mirrors According to a report by researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry in London, a study of 50 people revealed that looking in the mirror eventually stressed them out about their appearance. While applying mascara without a mirror isn’t necessary, you might want to avoid these surfaces for decor outside the bathroom. 8. Your pattern-happy decor Just like clutter can be overwhelming and lead to excessive cortisol, you might want to limit how many patterns you mix and match in your home too. Skip the polka dots and stripes and go with solids to create a calming environment that won’t rev up your anxiety. 9. Your nightcap A glass of wine might sound like a relaxing way to unwind, but it’s a stimulant that can lead to panic attacks. Not to mention, alcohol can have a disruptive effect on your body’s central nervous system, which in turn, can limit your brain’s ability to calm yourself down. 10. Your night light Having a little light while you sleep could make you feel less afraid of the dark, but researchers from Ohio State found when hamsters slept with even the dimmest of lights, they experienced negative mental health. “The results we found in hamsters are consistent with what we know about depression in humans,” Tracy Bedrosian, lead author of the study and doctoral student in neuroscience at Ohio State University, said in a press release. (SD-Agencies) |