Effective Techniques to Alleviate Anxiety for Better Well-Being
Intro
Anxiety can hinder personal growth, escapist relationships, and day-to-day productivity. Increasing attention on mental wellness encourages exploring effective strategies to alleviate anxiety. There exists profound correlation between mental states and physiological responses, providing numerous approaches for improvement. Focusing specifically on mindfulness practices, meditations, and sleep quality can yield substantial results for those striving to attain mental tranquility.
Understanding Mindfulness
Mindfulness encompasses the practice of being fully present in the moment without judgement. It involves techniques that draw attention away from ruminative thoughts that often fuel anxiety. Key benefits of mindfulness include:
- Reduced symptoms of anxiety
- Improved emotional regulation
- Enhanced focus and attention
The importance of mindfulness in daily life cannot be emphasized enough. This mental state fosters self-awareness, allowing individuals to recognize stressors and examine their emotional responses. For those feeling overwhelmed, mindfulness serves as a practical scaffold, assisting in deciphering complex emotional layers.
Practices and techniques for cultivating mindfulness include:
- Breathing exercises: Focus on your breath for five to ten minutes daily to stabilize your mental state.
- Body scan meditations: Observe bodily sensations, promoting an understanding of present states.
- Awareness amidst routines: Engage completely in routine tasks like eating or walking, appreciating subtle sensations.
Guided Meditation Sessions
Guided meditation sessions are an effective way to introduce mindfulness practices. Different types of guided meditations available may include:
- Visualization techniques: Create a mental image that invites tranquility.
- Breath-focused meditation: Prioritizes breath as the anchor for mindfulness.
- Healing meditations: Visual techniques that focus on specific body parts for their healing.
Starting a guided meditation practice can be approachable for beginners. Consider utilizing health apps like Headspace or Calm, offering structured pillows of audio-centered guidance during sessions. Couple this commitment with tips for enhancing the meditation experience:
- Select a serene environment: A quiet space is crucial for achiving focus.
- Remain consistent: Practice regularity in schedules to create-rich habits.
- Adjust duration progressively: Begin with shorter sessions and gradually increase the duration as you grow comfortable.
Managing Stress and Anxiety
First comprehension of the @causes and effects of stress and anxiety permit enhanced coping strategies. Common causes of stress might include work obligations, relationship dynamics, or financial instability. Acknowledgement leads to mitigation.
Mindfulness techniques for reducing stress and anxiety include applying focused breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or absorbing nature via mindful walks. Leveraging these elements alleviates overwhelming emotions during high-stress periods.
Improving Sleep Quality
Sufficient sleep features prominently in pathways to overall well-being. Research highlights a notable connection between poor sleep and increased anxiety levels. Integrating guided meditations for better sleep might substitute luminal distractions and halve disruptive cycles.
While establishing a calming bedtime routine, consider implementing:
- Consistent sleep schedule: Rise and relax at the same time each day for long-term benefits.
- Wind-down activities: Incorporate reading or warm baths before sleep to reduce pre-sleep anxiety.
Enhancing Mindfulness at Work
Mindfulness generates numerous benefits in a workplace setting, such as decentuous communication, increased focus, and heightened resilience in facing professional chaos. Adopting mindful practices during work boosts overall productivity, yielding measurable effects on individual output.
Some strategies for managing work-related stress are:
- Short breaks for mindfulness: Allocate five minutes for focused breathing periodically during work hours.
- Gratitude reflections: Jot down three positive elements experienced daily.
Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety is a condition that affects a significant portion of the adult population worldwide. Recognizing its impact is essential for individuals seeking to enhance their mental well-being. Understanding anxiety lays the groundwork for identifying effective coping strategies. It allows individuals to acknowledge their feelings honestly. This section focuses on what anxiety is, how it affects daily life, and the symptoms that signify its presence. As a chronic condition or an episodic emotional state, anxiety possesses distinct features that can shape one’s everyday existence.
Defining Anxiety
Anxiety, in a clinical sense, is characterized by persistent feelings of worry, apprehension, and fear. It can manifest in various forms, such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorders, or social anxiety disorder. Each type varies slightly in its triggers and symptoms. These differences mean that understanding the specifics of one’s anxiety is crucial in managing and eventually reducing it. It may stem from external environmental factors, personal experiences, or a combination of both. A key point is that everyone experiences anxiety to some degree, and it is a normal emotional response.
The Impact of Anxiety on Daily Life
Anxiety can be deeply pervasive. It does not merely hover in the background; rather, it interferes with daily function. Individuals may find it hard to focus at work. Simple tasks such as going out or socializing with friends can become monumental challenges. Long-term anxiety can lead to exhaustion and frustration, reducing one’s quality of life significantly. Studies suggest that chronic anxiety can precipitate additional health complications, such as cardiovascular diseases. Acknowledging how anxiety invades our lives can spur individuals towards seeking help and change.
Identifying Symptoms of Anxiety
Recognizing the symptoms of anxiety is the first step in addressing it. Common symptoms include:
- Constant worrying or feeling restless
- Physical signs such as heart palpitations or excessive sweating
- Avoidance behavior, where individuals begin to sidestep situations that trigger anxiety
Less frequently verbalized are symptoms like nausea or a sense of impending doom. One must note that these symptoms can fluctuate significantly in intensity. Maintaining an awareness of one’s internal state can facilitate a better understanding of anxiety and equip individuals to take proactive steps.
Acknowledging that anxiety is common yet manageable is key to improving mental health. Many people, regardless of their background or experience, can relate to moments of high anxiety.
Medical Perspectives on Anxiety
The exploration of Medical Perspectives on Anxiety provides a vital understanding of how anxiety can be effectively addressed through both therapeutic interventions and pharmacological options. This section aims to highlight approaches that stem from medical and psychological fields, emphasizing their significance in managing anxiety disorders. Understanding these approaches can lead to a more informed decision-making process for individuals suffering from various levels of anxiety, allowing them to navigate their mental health more effectively.
Therapeutic Approaches
Therapeutic approaches to anxiety encompass a range of psychological techniques designed to alter negative thought patterns and behavioral responses. These methods do not just focus on alleviating symptoms; rather, they aim to address the root causes of anxiety. Some common therapeutic practices include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focused on changing maladaptive thinking and behavior through structured methods.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): This encourages individuals to accept their feelings and commit to values-driven behavior.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Involves exploring one's unconscious thoughts and feelings to resolve inner conflicts.
These therapies provide long term coping strategies, focusing not only on symptom relief but also on building resilience against future anxiety.
Medications for Anxiety Management
Medications can play a crucial role in alleviating anxiety, especially when symptoms disrupt daily life significantly. It's essential to work closely with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate medications. Some of the main categories include:
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Commonly prescribed due to their effectiveness and relatively tolerable side effects. Examples include fluoxetine and sertraline.
- Benzodiazepines: Effective for immediate relief but generally recommended for short-term use due to potential for dependence. Diazepam is one such medication.
- Beta-blockers: Useful particularly for alleviating physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat and trembling saw among people facing performance anxiety. Propranolol is frequently used in such cases.
Understanding these medications alongside therapeutic support can empower individuals to regain control of their anxiety, leading to enhanced overall wellbeing.
Anxiety can be a condition that, if left unaddressed, can greatly impair the quality of life. That said, combining therapy and medication often yields the best outcomes.
Psychological Techniques to Alleviate Anxiety
Psychological techniques play a central role in managing anxiety. They offer strategies that help individuals gain better control over their thoughts and emotions. One significant aspect of these techniques is their evidence-based nature, ensuring these approaches have been researched and refined. Another important factor is the customization of techniques to fit individual needs. Tools like cognitive behavioral therapy aim to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors into more useful ones. This can significantly improve one’s coping mechanisms. This article delves into three essential psychological techniques that can alleviate anxiety symptoms: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Meditation, and Exposure Therapy.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a well-researched psychotherapeutic approach focusing on the interaction between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In essence, CBT teaches individuals how to identify distorted thinking patterns that contribute to anxiety. The focus is on breaking this cycle, thereby reducing anxiety levels.
Consider these key elements of CBT:
- Thought patterns: Recognizing irrational or negative thoughts can assist individuals in reframing those beliefs.
- Behavioral techniques: This aspect encourages taking small action steps towards addressing triggers.
- Problem-solving skills: Cultivating this skill allows individuals to develop effective coping strategies.
It can be highly effective for various anxiety disorders including panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The collaborative approach between therapist and individual fosters a sense of empowerment. Therefore, CBT can lead to lasting changes in how one responds to anxiety-provoking situations.
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation involves paying attention to the present moment while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's thoughts and feelings. This practice helps in reducing anxiety by encouraging individuals to disengage from overwhelming thoughts. Instead of striving to feel better, one learns to simply 'be.'
Some benefits of mindfulness meditation include:
- Stress reduction: Regular practice lowers cortisol levels, mitigating overall stress.
- Increased focus: Mindfulness trains the brain to sustain attention more effectively and reduces rumination.
- Emotional regulation: It helps individuals to manage their emotions better.
Learning mindfulness can be done through classes, apps, or guided videos. These allow for flexibility and adaptation to individual preferences and rhythms. Everyone may find resonance with different methods, so it's essential to explore options and see what fits best.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is an essential technique used primarily in treating phobias and other anxiety disorders. The method helps an individual face what they fear in a controlled environment. The goal is to gradually reduce the anxiety response associated with these fears.
Key steps involved include:
- Assessment: Understanding the specific fears or phobias.
- Creating a hierarchical exposure outline: Starting with less distressing stimuli and gradually moving to more anxiety-provoking situations.
- Confrontation: Facing fears in a safe, supportive setting.
Through a process called desensitization, individuals learn to respond with reduced anxiety over time. It is crucial to undergo exposure therapy under professional guidance to build resilience steadily. As with other psychological techniques, the aim is improvement and empowerment over anxiety instead of avoidance.
It is noteworthy that maintaining an open mind and commitment to the treatment plan can significantly enhance the effectiveness of these psychological techniques.
Lifestyle Modifications
Lifestyle triggers can play significant role in managing anixety. To alleviate symptoms and promote overall well-being, individuals should consider integrating several practical modifications into their daily routines. Focusing on three primary aspects—diet, physical activity, and sleep hygiene—can yield measurable improvements in mental health. As anxiety can often stem from imbalances in physical health, addressing lifestyle factors may create a synergistic effect in decreasing anxiety.
Dietary Choices and Nutritional Support
The food we eat has direct impact on how we feel. Certain dietary choices can either contribute to or alleviate anxiety symptoms. A balanced diet rich in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and magnesium may support brain function and disrupt anxiety.also helps maintain steady blood sugar levels, which can reduce irritability and nervousness.
Consider adopting the following dietary choices:
- Increase omega-3 intake: Foods such as salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds are great examples.
- Fruits and vegetables: Incorporate a wide variety to enhance vitamin and mineral intake.
- Whole grains: Enjoy brown rice, oats, or quinoa to sustain energy.
Hydration is another important factor. Inadequate water intake may lead to fatigue, which can heighten feelings of anxiety. Optimal hydration supports cognitive function and regulates moods, so it's vital to drink sufficient amounts of water daily.
Proper nutrition not only fuels the body, but it also influences emotional wellness.
Physical Activity and Exercise
Engaging in regular physical activity is a crucial component of anxiety management. Exercise increases the production of endorphins—hormones responsible for creating a sense of well-being. Various activities, from walking to more structured workouts, can serve as natural stress relievers.
Some benefits of regular exercise include:
- Improved mood: Routine activity can lead to a decrease in anxiety levels over time.
- Enhanced sleep: Physical exertion helps to promote better sleep quality, essential for overall mental health.
- Social connections: Group activities can foster a sense of belonging, which is vital for emotional stability.
Finding a form of exercise that you enjoy can enhance consistency. This can range from hiking to yoga, though what matters most is regular simployment.
Sleep Hygiene Practices
Quality sleep is essential for mental health. Poor sleeping habits can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, leaving individuals feeling drained. For optimal cognitive function and emotional support, it is crucial to practice good sleep hygiene.
Here are some effective strategies to improve sleep quality:
- Create a sleep routine: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
- Limit screen time: Avoid electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime, as blue light inhibits melatonin production.
- Establish a relaxing environment: Keep the bedroom dark, cool, and quiet to enhance sleep patterns.
By making intentional changes in lifestyle, specifically around diet, exercise, and sleep, individuals can address some root causes of anxiety. Future sections will continue to explore different methods to empower mental wellness.
Holistic and Alternative Therapies
Holistic and alternative therapies have gained notable traction among individuals seeking effective ways to manage anxiety. These approaches emphasize treating the whole person, rather than just the symptoms. Both physical and mental well-being are considered. This view can help lead to more sustainable relief from anxiety. Many therapies offer benefits that are scientifically supported or anecdotal.
Practices such as yoga, aromatherapy, and acupuncture address the root causes of anxiety. They stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. This can enhance relaxation and improve mental clarity. Although they may not replace traditional treatments, they augment them meaningfully, offering a more comprehensive pathway to manage anxiety.
Yoga and its Benefits
Yoga combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. This integration provides several benefits for anxiety management.
- Reduces stress: Many studies show that regular yoga reduces stress responses and promotes calmness. This occurs by lowering cortisol levels in the body.
- Enhances mindfulness: Practicing yoga encourages participants to focus on the present moment. This shift in perspective can reshape anxiety-related thought patterns, making them less overwhelming.
- Improves physical health: Better physical condition contributes to mental health by fostering resilience against stressors. Additionally, yoga increases flexibility and strength, improving the body’s overall functioning.
Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
Aromatherapy employs essential oils derived from plant extracts. These oils can evoke emotional responses and support physical well-being. Many individuals find various essential oils useful for alleviating anxiety. Some common examples include:
- Lavender: Widely recognized for its calming properties, lavender can fallback anxiety and improve sleep.
- Chamomile: Known for its soothing qualities, chamomile essential oil can help in reducing irritability and promoting relaxation.
- Bergamot: This citrus oil may enhance mood while neutralizing feelings of negativity and stress.
The significant aspect of aromatherapy is its versatility. It can be used through diffusers, room sprays, or topical applications. Users should be cautious and consult with professionals to ensure safety and avoid allergic reactions.
Acupuncture as an Anxiety Relief Method
Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves inserting very fine needles into specific points on the body.
This practice aims to balance the flow of energy, known as Qi. Many patients report experiencing reduced anxiety levels following several sessions. Key benefits include:
- Establishing Energy Flow: By targeting meridian points, acupuncture may help alleviate energy blockages associated with stress and anxiety.
- Stimulating Neurotransmitters: Research indicates acupuncture affects the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which promote emotional balance.
- Holistic Approach: Acupuncture contributes to general well-being. This helps in addressing the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as headaches or muscle tension.
Remember: Always consult with qualified professionals before beginning any new therapeutic approach. Utilizing different resources enhances the overall treatment experience, whether through physical practices or techniques aiding mental health. Visit Wikipedia for more information.
Social Support and Environmental Factors
Social support and environmental factors play a pivotal role in the process of alleviating anxiety. Regulation of anxiety is often built upon interpersonal relationships and the surrounding environment. These two components not only help to buffer stress but also enhance a person’s ability to cope with anxiety-inducing situations. Without such support systems, individuals may find themselves isolated, struggling to manage their feelings alone.
The Role of Family and Friends
Family and friends are unequivocally essential in the battle against anxiety. These individuals provide emotional support that cannot be overstated. The comfort of having someone to discuss worries with can lessen burdens considerable. Close relationships offer reassurance and validation, reminding an individual that they are not alone in facing these challenges. It is crucial, however, that the support offered is collaborative and empathetic.
Communication is key in utilizing family and friends effectively. Open dialogues allow for expressing feelings and anxieties while also creating channels for guidance and advice. For many, they form a safety net that aids in progress toward healthier coping strategies. Such interactions can help hashed out thoughts and reduce misunderstandings that might amplify anxious feelings.
Furthermore, consistent engagement with loved ones maintains a social network that contributes positively to mental wellness. Spending time with these individuals can counter feelings of isolation. It produces a wholesomeness that fended off negativity, thereby fostering resilience against anxiety.
Community Resources and Group Therapy
The benefits of community resources and group therapy extend beyond mere exposure to others. They present an avenue of understanding, shared experiences, and valuable knowledge. Group therapy in particular provides a structure for individuals to express their feelings in a safe and supportive environment. Sharing their experiences with people who share similar challenges fosters camaraderie and solidarity. This minimizes stigma often associated with anxiety and promotes a collective sense of recovery.
Community mental health resources, including workshops and support groups, also serve as safe spaces. They allow individuals to find others who may be experiencing similar issues. Libraries, community centers, and online platforms such as reddit.com promote discussions where resources and support networks can flow harmoniously.
Engaging in sessions of group therapy improves coping strategies through learning directly from peers' diverse experiences. Openly discussing challenges creates avenues for feedback that one might not get in their immediate circles.
By participating in these therapies, anxious individuals bolster their resilience while cultivating friendships or connections with others who interpret anxiety similarly. Utilizing these external resources leads not only to alleviation of anxiety but may also enhance overall mental health.
Practical Tools and Resources
Practical tools and resources play an essential role in managing anxiety. They offer individuals tangible support that complements psychological strategies and medical treatments. With increasing digitalization, many anxiety-relief techniques have transitioned into accessible apps and online platforms, allowing for personalized help. This section evaluates why these resources are significant in anxiety management and presents specific types of tools that can effectively guide users along their journey to better mental health.
Mobile Applications for Anxiety Management
Mobile applications are an effective and increasingly popular method to help manage anxiety. They can fit into the user's lifestyle efficiently, offering various tools to assess and improve mental well-being. Applications operate during moments of need, providing support tailored to individual preferences. Several applications focus on various techniques like meditation, grounding exercises, and cognitive exercises.
Examples:
- Headspace - offers guided meditation.
- Calm - focuses on mindfulness and relaxation.
- Moodfit - helps to track mood patterns and suggests helpful exercises.
Using mobile applications can empower users to learn coping mechanisms in real-time. These tools help enhance self-awareness by allowing individuals to reflect on their feelings and evaluate triggers. Moreover, many apps feature community aspects or forums promoting shared experiences. Such interaction fosters a sense of connection, which can mildly alleviate feelings of isolation.
Research suggests that engaging with these applications regularly can lead to noticeable improvements in mood and anxiety levels.
In choosing an app, users should look for features that resonate with their needs, focusing on user-friendliness, content quality, and user reviews. It is essential to be mindful of privacy and data security as well, especially since these apps involve personal experiences and emotions.
Online Platforms and Support Groups
Online platforms and support groups provide an increasingly valuable complement to traditional treatment options. They allow individuals to connect with others facing similar challenges. In many cases, people can share their feelings in a non-judgmental atmosphere, which encourages open discussions about anxiety experiences.
There are numerous platforms that host forums and online groups. Examples include:
- Facebook groups dedicated to mental health topics
- Reddit's r/anxiety community, which discusses anxiety management techniques and shares personal anecdotes.
Additionally, established organizations offer webinars, resources, and discussion forums that delve deeper into coping strategies and collective experiences. This communal aspect often helps create a safe space for journeying together toward recovery.
In summary, these tools and resources are instrumental in not only managing anxiety but also fostering a sense of belonging and community. Utilizing mobile apps and engaging with online platforms can lower barriers to seeking help and encouragement. Leveraging technology this way can ease individual struggles and augment knowledge to enhance overall mental well-being.
Personal Reflection and Growth
Personal reflection and growth are critical components in managing anxiety effectively. When individuals take the time to analyze their thoughts and behaviors, they can uncover underlying patterns that contribute to their anxiety. This process allows for a deeper understanding of oneself, which can lead to improved emotional well-being. Anxiety often disguises itself under layers of external stressors, but self-reflection helps reveal the intricacies of these experiences.
One significant benefit of this reflective practice is the potential to identify triggers. By documenting feelings and incidents that provoke anxiety, individuals can begin to establish connections and recognize harmful cycles. This information is vital not only for awareness but also for developing coping strategies that are tailored to one's specific conditions.
Another essential aspect is the empowerment that comes from personal growth. As individuals set goals and work towards them, they may experience an increase in self-efficacy and confidence. Growth is not just about achieving targets but also learning to manage setbacks. Navigating through challenges ultimately builds resilience, equipping individuals to better handle anxiety in the future.
Key Elements of Personal Reflection and Growth
- Awareness: Recognizing triggers and emotional responses.
- Empowerment: Building confidence through goal-setting and growth.
- Resilience: Developing skills to cope with setbacks.
"Self-reflection is the school of wisdom." - Baltasar Gracián
Journaling as a Tool for Clarity
Journaling serves as a practical tool for clarity in managing anxiety. The act of putting pen to paper can facilitate a clearer understanding of swirling thoughts and emotions. By writing down feelings and experiences related to anxiety, individuals can process their thoughts in a tangible way. This practice encourages mindfulness, giving the mind space to explore feelings without the pressure of immediate solutions.
A few benefits of journaling include:
- Emotional Release: Writing can act as an emotional outlet, helping to alleviate internalized stress.
- Patterns and Trends: Over time, journals can reveal repeating patterns in mood and behavior, enabling focused discussion in therapy or self-guided solutions.
- Problem Solving: Journals become reflective spaces where individuals can turn problems over and develop potential strategies or responses.
It may be helpful to incorporate specific prompts or practices into journaling, such as:
- Gratitude Lists: Listing things one is grateful for can shift focus from negative anxiety-inducing thoughts.
- Mood Tracking: Noticing daily mood fluctuations can identify external factors affecting anxiety levels.
- Reflections on Triggers: Writing about trigger events provides insight into fears and concerns.
Setting Goals for Mental Health Improvement
Setting goals for mental health improvement is an invaluable strategy for those experiencing anxiety. Goal-setting instills the sense of having control over one’s mental health journey. It gives individuals clear markers to aim for, leading to increased motivation and greater commitment.
When setting these goals, it is important to approach them with the SMART criteria:
- Specific: Goals should be clear and precise, avoiding vague objectives.
- Measurable: Establish criteria for tracking progress.
- Achievable: Goals should be realistic and attainable.
- Relevant: Goals should be meaningful to personal values and future aspirations.
- Time-bound: Assign deadlines to create a sense of urgency.
Setting smaller, incremental goals allows for moments of celebration and self-acknowledgment. Accomplishment, however small, boosts confidence and serves as motivation to tackle more significant challenges.
In summary, personal reflection and the creation of actionable goals for mental health improvement can greatly alleviate anxiety. Engaging in these practices lays the foundation for emotional clarity and growth, fostering a deeper connection to one's mental well-being.
Finale and Next Steps
Summarizing Key Takeaways
A few key takeaways emerge from the comprehensive examination of anxiety relief techniques:
- Individual Approach: What works for one may not work for another. Tailor your approach based on your own experiences and preferences.
- Integration of Methods: A combination of techniques, such as pairing physical exercise with mindfulness practices, can often yield better results than a single approach.
- Professional Guidance: When in doubt, consulting with a mental health professional is often the best course of action. They can help guide you through options available to you and suggest when further evaluation may be necessary.
- Commitment to Process: Anxiety alleviation requires consistent effort. Change may not happen overnight, but dedication to implementing these strategies will lead to improvement over time.
Greater clarity on these points enables better access to viable anxiety relief strategies. An essence of empowerment can arise by taking charge of one's mental health journey.
Encouraging Ongoing Self-Care Practices
Self-care must be seen as an ongoing practice. Here are practical self-care practices to implement regularly:
- Routine Check-Ins: Schedule weekly reflections to assess how you’re feeling. Writing down your thoughts and detect patterns in your anxiety triggers.
- Mindfulness Daily: Allocate at least ten minutes to practice mindfulness, whether it be through meditation, deep-breathing exercises, or simply being present in the moment.
- Communication: Reach out to friends and family members regularly. Sharing concerns and experiences contributes greatly to emotional well-being.
- Physical Care: Maintain a balanced diet and try to engage in physical activity as part of daily routine. Movement promotes endorphins, which are natural mood lifters.