Dr Michael Mosley has outlined three simple steps you can take to reduce your stress and help tackle anxiety. The health guru posted the advice on his Instagram account while plugging his book The Fast 800, which guides readers through rapid weight loss for long term success.
Life gets stressful and many anxiety inducing events are out of your control, but Dr Mosley claims that with these three steps, you can minimise its impact on your life. Though the steps won't totally get rid of your anxiety, they can help manage it.
In his Instagram post, Dr Mosley says that if you're overweight, you should look at shedding some pounds. He said: "Losing weight will mean that you sleep better, which means you will be less likely to feel those sleep-deprived bingeing urges."
The diet expert also went on to endorse eating a Mediterranean diet to reduce anxiety. He said: "Among the many benefits of eating a Mediterranean-style diet are the effects on you brain. Studies by the Food and Mood Centre in Australia have shown that going on a Med diet can have a big impact on anxiety and depression."
He added: "No one knows exactly why this is, but some of the components (such as fish and olive it) have a well-established anti-inflammatory effect and there is mounting evidence that many cases of depression may be linked to inflammation caused by the body's immune system reacting to infection or stress."
Finally, Dr Mosley extolled the benefits of regular exercise. In his Instagram post, he wrote: "It pumps up the production of your brain's feel-good neuro transmitters, including BDF and endorphins. It gets you out of yourself - and can also improve your sleep, which has a direct impact on your mood."
The NHS recommends that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week and strength exercises on two or more days a week that work all the major muscles.
If you suffer from anxiety in the long term and nothing you're doing is helping, the NHS says you should contact your GP.