5 Expert-Approved Anxiety Relief Products to Help Cope and Stay Calm During Hard Times – Seventeen

There are so many safe spaces to discuss anxiety, and they all are well needed. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that over 6.8 million adults in the U.S. have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, and 15 million others have been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. As more people indulge in self-care practices to improve their overall well-being, many search for anxiety relief products to help cope with their struggles.

According to neuropsychologist and Comprehend The Mind director, Dr. Sanam Hafeez, anxiety is the “feeling of fear, worry, and dread that can sometimes come as a normal stress reaction.” Anxiety often results in nervousness, increased heart rate, sweating, feelings of danger, faintness, chest pain, rapid breathing, and insomnia. Dr. Hafeez suggests talking to a professional therapist or a loved one to help “reduce emotional distress” and provide “an unbiased opinion” as one solution to help relieve anxiety. She also suggests discovering what triggers your anxiety to “develop coping mechanisms to manage your anxiety,” avoid situations that make you anxious, and prepare yourself when faced with your triggers. Dr. Hafeez credits exercise as another helpful tool because it releases endorphins that trigger positive feelings throughout the body.

Professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, stresses the importance of social connection to help manage anxiety. “Social connection is vital to emotional and physical well-being,” she tells Seventeen. “It impacts our level of happiness, the risk for heart disease, susceptibility to viruses, and even our longevity. Social connection is thought to be a fundamental human need,” she says. Eventbrite recognized the importance of social connection and its impact on anxiety and launched its Social Connection Project to help promote social connection and mental well-being among Gen Z. The Multi-phase project is backed by celebs like Marsai Martin and Lady Gaga and provides a curated collection of free events to help encourage social connections among the youth.

Managing anxiety looks different for everyone. L-theanine and magnesium are two dietary supplements that can aid in reducing anxiety. Dr. Hafeez does note that while supplements are helpful, they may not be safe when used with prescription medication, so check with your doctor before introducing any supplements into your routine. She also confirmed that having pets can also lessen anxiety. According to Dr. Hafeez, petting a dog or cat can be proven to lower blood pressure. Along with the informative tips by Dr. Hafeez and Dr. Holt-Lunstad, there are more tangible ways to relieve your anxiety. If you’re looking for new methods to manage or cope with your stress, read ahead for expert-recommended anxiety relief products that help keep you calm.

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