NEED TO LOWER YOUR ANXIETY LEVELS? HERE’S HOW...

EAT RIGHT, WORRY LESS ✢

A healthy diet helps when your body is under pressure. ‘Eat well (including breakfast), stay hydrated and avoid too much refined sugar,’ says Silentnight’s sleep consultant, Dr Nerina Ramlakhan. Eat little and often – low blood-sugar levels can trigger panic. A probiotic could also help. ‘Studies looking at the effect of probiotics on depression have shown that within eight weeks, mood and functioning was improved,’ says health psychologist Dr Meg Arroll.

✢ BREATHE IN CALM ‘Focusing on your breath is one of the fastest ways to combat anxiety,’ says Suzy. ‘Breathe in for the count of seven and out for the count of 11. The long exhalation signals to our nervous system that we are safe.’ ✢ CIRCLES OF CONTROL ‘Draw one circle and write in it all the things you can control, then another circle with things you have no influence over,’ says Suzy. ‘Filling in the two circles helps us gain perspective on what we can exert control over – and let go of what is beyond our power, no matter how much energy we spend worrying about it.’

✢ DITCH THE ALCOHOL ‘Ease off the booze,’ says Dr Ramlakhan. ‘It can be tempting, but you’re more likely to experience rebound anxiety the next morning.’

✢ GET MOVING ‘Daily movement will help get the adrenaline out of your system,’ says Suzy. ‘Just jumping up and down and shaking your limbs will help move the anxiety.’