7 Hidden Anxiety Triggers You NEED To Avoid

You know cause and effect when you see it. A squirt gun at a pool party means someone’s getting wet. Stress and anxiety work the same way. Anxiety triggers stress. But the same holds true the other way around. In fact, stressful situations can be the anxiety triggers you need to avoid.

We all face stressful situations. For many of us, stress happens on a daily basis. In order to prevent it from becoming overwhelming and affecting our health, it’s important to recognize anxiety triggers. There are several triggers that are known to induce anxiety symptoms. By understanding what provokes anxiety, you can help reduce your stress levels by avoiding the triggers.

Here are seven common anxiety triggers that you need to avoid:

1. Alcohol

After having a long, stressful day, you might come home and pour yourself a glass of wine in order to relax. While that glass of wine might help calm you down, alcohol is a temporary depressant. After the first couple sips that help you relax, alcohol can actually trigger anxiety. Finding a healthier and more constructive way to de-stress will help you avoid this trigger. (1)

2. Anti-Social Behavior

When you’re stressed out and anxious, the last thing you probably feel like doing is going out to meet friends. You might want to just lay in bed all weekend and binge-watch Netflix. But intentional seclusion can lead to even more anxiety. As it turns out, if you have too much time to yourself, you might end up overthinking things and stressing out even more. Extreme examples of this behavior show up in people with antisocial personality disorder. (2, 3)

3. Overworking

A good work ethic is commendable. But if you’re stressed out because you’re swamped at work, putting in a bunch of extra hours will worsen your anxiety. Overworking can easily trigger anxiety. It’s great to work hard, but it’s important to be able to find a balance. (4)

4. Diet

Your body and brain are fueled by the food you eat. You need a sufficient amount of nutrients in order to stay mentally and physically healthy. A diet full of fast food and other processed foods won’t give your body the nutrients it needs to function properly. In order to prevent physical and mental stress, it’s important to maintain a healthy and well-balanced diet full of whole and natural foods. (5)

5. Lack Of Sleep

When you’re stressed out, your sleep can suffer. But the more you skimp on sleep, the worse your anxiety will get. Sleep is a vital part of keeping the mind and body healthy. When you’re sleep deprived, your mental state will worsen. And so it’s a feedback loop: too little sleep increases stress, which makes you more vulnerable to anxiety triggers. (6)

6. Low Blood Sugar

Chronic stress can have a negative effect on your blood sugar levels. Without an adequate amount of glucose and other nutrients, the brain isn’t able to function properly. Low blood sugar levels can lead to dizziness, weakness and trouble concentration. It also creates unnecessary stress on the brain. When your blood sugar levels are low, the brain sees this as a threat, which can trigger anxiety. It ends up being a dangerous cycle. (7)

7. Poor Stress Management

We all face stressful situations. So learning how to manage your stress is vital to preventing chronic stress and avoiding anxiety triggers, which can lead to many other health problems. Whether it’s yoga, running, reading, painting or bubble baths at night, find what works for you. If you don’t find a way to manage your stress, it can quickly spiral out of control. (8)