In an era where stress is virtually the norm, and a mind free of it is the exception, it must come as no surprise that one in every four Indians are affected by anxiety disorders, and one in ten are depressed. Our ancestors might be quick to blame our times, and our lives, but they aren’t far from the truth: the levels of competition, the obligation to perform, the imposition of pressure from higher levels and from peers makes life a lot less easier to chart, work wise and lifestyle wise.

Easing out from a state of anxiety is not an automatic task: it isn’t about pressing a button and watching the change happen. However, there are some simple life-hacks that you need to be focusing on in a way that will give you the freedom to escape from the burdens of an anxious mind.
– Indulge in a hobby. Often, when you do something you like – it need not be creative, as long as it is recreational – your mind is given a boost of feel good hormones which helps calm your nerves. Try to make this a regular part of your day or week, and ensure not to cut back on attending it no matter how tired or bored you may feel.
– De-clutter your spaces. A cluttered space reflects a cluttered mind. You tend to feel bogged down by the energy of your space, so it is vital that your space allows you to breathe so your mind breathes comfortably, too.
– Keep a journal: Work on taking things off your mind so that you can keep your energy flowing. If you bottle up emotions and thoughts and don’t speak your mind, you wind up building up on the anxiety. With time, these things gain so much force out of the suppression that they burst out, which can be a dangerous thing. If you cannot always speak out and express yourself to the people concerned, journaling can help you get your feelings off your chest.
– Read! It is a good thing to read regularly, whether it is a self-help book or an inspirational memoir, or even a piece of light-hearted fiction. Reading gives you the freedom to escape into a parallel world and to imagine on a flight of fantasy. It isn’t an escapist’s route to solving anxiety, but rather a sound and well grounded way of channeling your energies.
– Spend time with nature. There is really nothing better than being one with nature – especially since the peace you can derive from your surroundings gives you a clear mind.
– Eat well. Nutritious food is a very important route to keeping your mind healthy. Ensure that you get enough vitamins and minerals – a lot of vitamin deficiencies can cause depression and deprivation of calmness in the mind.
– Meditate. Meditation is a very comfortable way to calm your mind and to wind back on your thoughts. Worrying about the future is often one of the biggest factors that cause anxiety and depression. If you can dial back on it, you virtually cut back on anxiety. Meditate for a few minutes by yourself, or indulge in a guided meditation or some meditative music.

References:
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-18674/10-lifestyle-choices-that-have-eased-my-anxiety.html
http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/natural-treatments
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/One-of-every-four-Indians-affected-by-anxiety-disorders-10-are-depressed/articleshow/23599434.cms

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