Most people will experience some form of anxiety from time to time and this impacts upon your ability to get a good night's sleep.

Rest is important to keep the body working properly and if you consistently find anxiety is keeping you awake you need to take steps to combat the problem.

Luckily there are several simple things you can do to get both your body and your mind back on track.

Diet

Certain foods are known to bring about some of the symptoms of anxiety, especially those containing caffeine.

Make sure your diet is free of coffee, sodas, chocolate and stimulant drinks if you find yourself feeling increasingly worried.

Sugary foods can also affect the way the body processes stress, so try to stay away from junk foods, such as sweets, crisps and ready meals.

Instead, eat a lot of organic products, such as fruit, vegetables and meats.

Exercise

Exercise is a great way to release endorphins, which can help to combat negative feelings. It is also a great distraction from stresses and strains, giving you the chance to take some time out and concentrate on you.

Exercising before bed is also advisable, as it allows you to work out any excess energy, which can help you drift off if you are suffering from anxiety.

Breathing

Being able to control your breathing is an important step to managing anxiety and if you feel a bout of panic coming on it helps to break out some simple breathing exercises.

Anxiety causes the heart rate to increase and breathing to become shallow and rapid. Taking deep, slow breaths will help slow the body down. Remember to breathe from the abdomen, using the nose rather than the mouth.

Alternative therapies

Meditation and hypnosis are two common alternative therapies used to combat anxiety. By altering the way the mind processes stress, anxiety can be tackled at the root.

Sharon Stiles, hypnotherapist, claims this is especially useful for people that struggle to sleep.

"Sometimes the poor sleep becomes an expectation or a habit and so hypnosis can help to change that pattern of behaviour," she said.

Posted by Matilda Jones