The constant stresses of modern adult life can cause mild anxiety in anyone. From social anxiety resulting from social media to anxiety caused by work stresses, there are ways to cope with it and make yourself feel more relaxed. Here are some uncomplicated methods to reduce your anxiety.
 

Make Yourself Laugh

Laughter is a proven stress-reducing process. It causes your body to release hormones that calm your brain. It also relaxes your muscles to relieve the physical tension that you may feel as a result of stress. Additionally, studies have shown that people who laugh more consistently have stronger immune systems in the long run. In order to distract yourself and reduce any kind of anxiety and stress, turn on your favorite comedian or watch some funny videos online.
 

Drink Less Caffeine

Though many people feel like they always need multiple cups of coffee every day, the caffeine contained in them can cause unnecessary stress. Caffeine is a natural stimulant that causes your brain process to speed up, which often makes you think about certain unpleasant topics too much. If you find yourself in this situation, you do not necessarily need to stop drinking coffee entirely but reduce your consumption to a more moderate level where you find yourself less anxious. Coffee can have health benefits when consumed moderately, so do not ditch your morning cup from your home or on the go.
 

Stop Procrastinating

Having many difficult tasks hanging over your head is an easy recipe for strength and anxiety. However, it is not inevitable. Procrastination will prolong your anxiety over these responsibilities, so first, you should make a detailed plan on your schedule to complete everything. After that, you should work diligently to get everything over with so it is not dragging you down anymore. Once you have everything done, you will not feel pressured anymore, and you could move onto more leisurely tasks.
 

Take Deep Breaths

When you have the weight of anxiety hanging over your head, your body goes into its fight-or-flight setting. When this happens, your body emits harmful stress hormones that cause symptoms such as fast breathing. However, you can try to reverse this reaction by purposely slowing down your breathing and deepening them. Deep breathing induces the release of more relaxing hormones, so after doing it consistently for a while, you will feel less anxious.
 

Light Up a Scented Candle

The pleasant light and smell of a scented candle cause your body to release more relaxing hormones. After a difficult day at work, eat something healthy, then light a scented candle for ambiance. Reducing anxiety through smells is called aromatherapy. It is an effective method to lower stress hormones and relax your brain. Consider sweet flavors such as chocolate, caramel, or flower scents, that will remind your body of more pleasant experiences.
 

Pick Your Battles

Many sources of anxiety are out of your control, but situations that you can affect that stress you out you should try to avoid. If your stress sources are artificial and avoidable, you need to learn to remove them from your life to save yourself. For example, if you feel anxious while looking at social media, try reducing your time on those applications or eliminating them entirely. Additionally, if a certain interpersonal relationship is a major source of stress in your life, you need to reconsider whether you want to continue to maintain it. Your mental state should come before other things in your life that you can choose.
 

Hang Out with Your Pet

For people with pets, it is a very effective anxiety-relieving tool to spend time with their pet if it makes them happy. Being with a pet can cause your body to release the positive hormone oxytocin. Dogs are especially good at helping relieve anxiety, as their playfulness and companionship cause a sense of comfort in their owners. Taking your dog for a walk has a double benefit, as exercise is also good for reducing stress.
 

Chew Some Gum

Chewing gum is another way to reduce your stress and anxiety hormones. Scientists are not exactly sure why gum has that effect, but some hypothesize that it triggers beneficial brain waves of relaxation. Another hypothesis is that it causes better blood circulation to and through your brain. Whatever the scientific reason is, try chewing gum while performing a stressful task to lower your anxiety.