Engage in aerobic exercise:

An abundance of research shows that engaging in aerobic exercise is especially helpful in preventing and treating anxiety.  In addition, a meta-analysis in the journal Anxiety-Depression found that people with anxiety disorders who reported high-level physical activity were better protected against developing anxiety symptoms than those who reported low physical activity.  The bottom line is:  when it comes to treating anxiety; the more exercise the better.

Meditation:  

Anxiety actually changes the structure and function of your brain.  It decreases the hippocampus, the part of the brain considered the seat of the memory.  Conversely, it increases the amygdala, the area of the brain responsible for the fear response.  Meditation, like anxiety, changes the structure of your brain—but for the better.  A regular meditation practice can not only reduce anxiety symptoms, it can also reverse the damage caused by anxiety.  Meditation reduces anxiety by: (1) breaking anxious thought patterns; (2) balancing brain chemicals; (3) building a healthier brain; (4) reducing brain inflammation.

Meditation has so many benefits for anxiety but many people avoid trying it for fear of failure.  It is not easy to calm a racing mind.  For that reason, it is advised that people who are new to or wary of meditation should start with a guided meditation.  That way, you can simply follow along with an experienced meditation teacher who will guide you into a relaxed, meditative state.

Laughter:

Everyone is familiar with the old adage, “laughter is the best medicine.”  Laughter decreases the levels of stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, dopamine and growth hormone.  At the same time, laughter acts to increase immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.  In addition, laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals.  Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.  In addition, if you are able to find the humor in a daily situations, you will see your perspective on the world begin to change.  Even if it feels forced at first, practice laughing.  It really is the best medicine.