American Psychiatric Association defines anxiety as an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worry, and apprehension about future events or situations.
Anxiety is a natural stress response and can actually be beneficial in some situations, such as pushing us to perform better under pressure or keeping us alert in potentially dangerous situations.
When it becomes chronic and excessive, however, anxiety can interfere with your daily life, resulting in several mental health issues. The symptoms of anxiety can manifest in multiple ways, including:
Emotional symptoms: excessive worry, irritability, restlessness, and a sense of impending doom.
Cognitive symptoms: racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, and negative thought patterns.
Physical symptoms: rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, muscle tension, sweating, trembling, and fatigue.
Whether you're suffering from a generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder, it can create havoc on your mental health.
Research shows excessive anxiety can lead to depression, insomnia, substance abuse, or other behavioral issues.
The good news is that there are numerous ways to treat anxiety disorders, and many of them can be done on your own or with the help of a therapist. While medications and therapy are often effective, they don't work for everyone.
If you don't want to take medications and are looking for an alternative approach, consider sauna bathing.