1.    Not getting enough sleep.

Sleep is an extremely weird thing and, in the hustle-hustle-hustle world, it’s increasingly undervalued.

You can’t cut corners on sleep.

A few years ago, I had this epiphany and dramatically improved my relationship with sleep, which had been affected by the fact that I am an adult child of an alcoholic.  Recommended reading to learn the science behind sleep: Arianna Huffington’s “The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time.” Every hour of sleep is an investment in your good health and anxiety prevention.

I challenge you to experiment and make a point to get at least seven hours of sleep – ideally eight hours. Then, pay attention to your ability to handle life. For me, lack of sleep and anxiety are lovers. When I do not prioritize sleep, anxiety shows up like the @#*-hole it really is.

When I haven’t slept enough, especially after three nights in a row, it takes me notably longer to do everything because my creativity is crippled and overwhelm creeps in and before I know it, anxiety has me in an uncomfortable bear hug.

But….how do you get enough sleep if you’re already anxious? How do you fall and stay asleep if you have anxiety? I know, I get it, it’s hard. Here are the basic things I do to support falling and staying asleep:

• Limit caffeine. I don’t consume caffeinated anything
  after noon.
• Turn off the screens. Put away your electronics
  at least an hour before you plan to get into bed.
• Meditate. There’s no wrong way to do it.
• Take Melatonin as needed. Melatonin is what your
  body naturally produces to fall asleep but when anxiety interferes, Melatonin
  supplement helps with that.

2.    Taking on other people’s problems as your own.

My fellow codependents, I’m talking to you, my friends.  It’s time to stop taking on other people’s emotions, work and problems.

It may seem simplistic, but I ask myself an important question all day long. Is this good for you? If not, don’t do it. If yes, do it. Learn to say no, even when it feels very wrong.

Your only job is to take good care of you.

3.    Not prioritizing what brings you joy.

Anxiety is ultra powerful. Once it’s hanging around, you make bad decisions because you can’t think clearly. When you stop making time for doing the things you love to do, then your anxiety worsens, and the cycle goes on and on.

I challenge you to make time – even if it’s only 15 minutes per day – to do what brings you joy. For me, this is laughing, writing and being outside with my dog. In the hecticness of life, it’s very easy to let a day go by without these things. Now I know that I must make time for these activities. I wake up earlier to walk a mile while watching The Office or something else guaranteed to make me laugh. I ignore the pressing to dos in order to laugh with a coworker. I sit outside with Rocco. I write, even when I’m tired.

What works for you? Anxiety tips are appreciated.