Chronic anxiety is not only emotionally, professionally, and socially debilitating, but it also significantly impacts a person’s physical health. Anxiety is known to increase the risk of gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders, as well as heart disease. Recent research also indicates that anxiety may more than double a man’s risk of cancer.
A study from Imperial College and Cambridge University in England discovered that men with generalized anxiety disorder (or long-term chronic anxiety not associated with specific objects or situations) were 2.15 times more likely to die from cancer than men who did not have the disorder. Interestingly, the research found that this increased risk of cancer did not extend to women with generalized anxiety disorder.
The reason behind this difference in risk for men and women remains unknown to researchers. The critical question is why men with anxiety have such high cancer rates. Researchers hypothesize that anxious men may be more likely to engage in behaviors that can increase their risk of developing cancer, or that anxiety and cancer both result from the same underlying cause: system-wide inflammation.
Another possible connection between anxiety and cancer could be the presence of insomnia and widespread physical stress associated with intense anxiety, conditions that set the stage for developing diseases. This potential relation means a mental disorder often dismissed as harmless could prove to be the opposite.
Lead author of the study, Olivia Remes of Cambridge University’s Institute of Public Health, stated, “Society may need to consider anxiety as a warning signal for poor health. With this study, we show that anxiety is more than just a personality trait, but rather, a disorder linked to real and serious health risks.”
Considering this new information, it is important to address chronic anxiety, especially for men. Although women may not have a heightened risk of cancer from anxiety, they do face an increased risk of respiratory and heart disease. Natural treatments for generalized anxiety disorder can help prevent an escalation of these risks, as well as improve overall mental health.
Ease Anxiety with Lifestyle Changes
Implementing simple lifestyle changes can make a significant difference in anxiety levels. The following actions can help you start easing your anxiety immediately:
- Exercise daily, even if it is just going for a walk
- Avoid alcohol, sugar, and processed foods
- Quit smoking and reduce caffeine intake
- Practice guided visualization, meditation, and yoga, or use the power of positive sounds and words
- Get enough sleep
- Eat anti-anxiety foods, especially those high in B vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids, and protein
Incorporating more of these healthy foods into your diet can help to alleviate anxiety: grass-fed beef, chicken, turkey, leafy greens, legumes, citrus fruits, rice, nuts, eggs, salmon, whole grains, and yogurt.
Although anxiety is a serious condition on its own, these recent findings connecting chronic anxiety to cancer and other life-threatening health issues make it essential to address our anxiety levels. Adapting your lifestyle and incorporating these suggestions can help reduce anxiety and improve your overall health and well-being.
