At some point in our lives, most of us have felt a a moment of apprehension or dread. We might want to do well at an athletic event or are nervous for a meeting at work. Often, though, these moments of anxiety are just that — moments.
However, when those feelings are persistent, it could be a sign that anxiety could be affecting your daily life.
Your family background can influence whether you struggle with anxiety and how you manage stress. However, anxiety can also be caused by intense stress or a traumatic event.
New feelings of anxiety can be challenging to work through, especially if you do not have the right coping mechanisms.
Meditation, relaxation techniques, and exercise can help ease anxiety and complement traditional therapies like counseling and medication.
A hot tub by Master Spas can help you relax, meditate, and soak away the symptoms of anxiety.
What You Need to Know About Anxiety
Anxiety is the most common mental health concern in the United States, according to NAMI. Nearly 7 million Americans live with general anxiety disorder, and women are twice as likely to be affected.
And while anxiety might look different from person to person, there are some things that most experience —persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening.
As we navigate challenging situations and face new anxiety, we should be aware of how we are feeling.
Are we experiencing feelings of apprehension or dread? Or, are we feeling tense or jumpy? Have we felt more restless or irritable? Are we seeing the worst in a situation and looking for signs of doom?
If you feel like you are struggling, it’s important to know that you are not alone and to reach out to those who can help you.
Alternative Ways to Manage Anxiety
Anxiety, even if it’s caused by a stressful situation or event, can stick around. It’s important to learn how to handle the symptoms, in addition to seeking treatment, so that you can live life better.
A hot tub by Master Spas offers more than relaxation. There are also therapeutic benefits, and a hot tub can be used to help manage anxiety and prioritize self-care.
Muscle Tension
While anxiety is often associated with how we feel mentally, it also affects how we feel physically. Tension can build up through the body, causing tight muscles. In addition, the stress can cause inflammation — including in the joints.
The adjustable hydrotherapy jets in a Master Spas hot tub can help relieve muscle tension, and the buoyancy of the water can relieve pressure on joints. Select Master Spas hot tubs feature the StressRelief Neck and Shoulder Seat and Master Force Bio-Magnetic Therapy System. The seat has out-of-air jets that target neck and shoulders, which is often where we feel tension. And magnetic therapy has been used to relieve inflammation.
Related post: Benefits of Magnetic Therapy
Sleep
We’ve all had those nights. You curl up in bed and just want to sleep. However, it feels like you can’t turn off your brain. Seconds, then minutes, then hours seem to tick off on the clock. The feelings that were keeping you up only seem to get worse.
Anxiety is directly related to your sleep quality. Feelings of anxiety can keep you awake, and a lack of sleep can cause anxiety, according to SleepFoundation.org.
Finding strategies to help you relax and improve sleep quality can make a difference in feelings of anxiety. Regular exercise, breathing exercises, and a night-time routine can help you sleep better.
A hot tub can be a part of an evening routine, giving you time to unwind from the day. The warm water can improve your circulation and cause a change in body temperature, which can help you fall asleep more quickly.
Related post: Improve Sleep Quality with a Hot Tub
Irritability
People who struggle with anxiety might find themselves irritable or easily upset. No one wants to feel this way, and it can be frustrating. Still, even if you want to feel better, the irritability might feel difficult to control.
Meditation can be a way to step back from those feelings and silence negative thoughts in your head. Research shows that meditation, even 5 minutes, can help improve a person’s mood. One study indicated that meditation can change the brain’s neural pathways, helping you better manage anxiety.
If you struggle with anxiety, making space and time to meditate is important. A hot tub by Master Spas offers a quiet, relaxing place to create distance from what’s causing stress and anxiety. Use an app, like Calm, and stream a meditation. Or, simply close your eyes and focus on breath.
Related post: Hacks to Improve Your Mood