Anxiety is a key part of several different disorders. These include:

• panic disorder: experiencing recurring panic attacks at unexpected times. A person with panic disorder may live in fear of the next panic attack.
• phobia: excessive fear of a specific object, situation, or activity
• social anxiety disorder: extreme fear of being judged by others in social situations
• obsessive-compulsive disorder: recurring irrational thoughts that lead you to perform specific, repeated behaviors
• separation anxiety disorder: fear of being away from home or loved ones
• illness anxiety disorder: anxiety about your health (formerly called hypochondria)
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): anxiety following a traumatic event

Lifestyle changes can be an effective way to relive some of the stress and anxiety you may cope with every day. Most of the natural “remedies” consist of caring for your body, participating in healthy activities, and eliminating unhealthy ones.

These include:

• getting enough sleep
• meditating
• staying active and exercising
• eating a healthy diet
• staying active and working out
• avoiding alcohol
• avoiding caffeine
• quitting smoking cigarettes

If these lifestyle changes seem like a positive way to help you eliminate some anxiety, read about how each one works—plus, get more great ideas for treating anxiety.