Conclusion

In this project, I wanted to learn more about the impact of factors that dictate the severity of anxiety attacks, which are sudden and intense experiences of fear or distress and can drastically affect someone's quality of life. After looking at various daily habits and health factors, I saw that there were some associated behaviors that seem to be directly linked to how sever anxiety attacks can be. In particular, I learned that those who drink caffeine are more likely to suffer from stronger anxiety attacks. I also learned that lack of sleep as well as high amounts of activity seem to be important indicators of higher anxiety levels. It is a common denominator, then at a minimum make choices that affect mental health in positive way. For instance, drinking too much caffeine avail only harm to an individual, not the opposite. I want to liken this to what I can assume to be people's resolutions in regards to habits, and surmise even healthier habits.

Another key insight from this project is the strong association between severity of anxiety and stress. Many participants noted that if they were under high stress (job demands or situation), they were more likely to experience anxiety attacks of greater intensity. Research findings suggest that chronic stress can exacerbate anxiety symptoms and also instigate more frequent anxiety episodes. Research findings demonstrate that it is important to manage and reduce stress in order to reduce anxiety. Final reports and sharing research findings demonstrated techniques like mindfulness-based practices, learning to consciously breathe, and opening the mind to ways of working with a therapist to manage stress that concurrently reduces frequency and intensity of anxiety attacks. Managing stress certainly provides relief from anxiety symptoms, it supports how one listens to and care for their overall mental health, which is often neglected when someone is solely focused on managing and treating anxiety symptoms.

Along with lifestyle habits and the influence of stress, I also found alcohol consumption and heart rate to be crucial in determining severity of anxiety. The participants with the most severe anxiety attacks had consumed more alcohol prior to their attacks than any other participant. Similarly, where the participant's heart rate increased due to stress, their anxiety also increased. These findings suggest that both physical and mental health aspects, including alcohol consumption and heart health, impact the severity of anxiety. Monitoring alcohol consumption and assessing heart health when stressed may be beneficial when managing anxiety. Overall, these results suggest that greater recognition of how an individual's physical health and mental health experience is connected may allow for a more holistic way to manage anxiety, suggesting individuals should be aware of their body's response to stress.

Because anxiety is a multifaceted condition with different but interacting components, it was not easy to identify one specific cause of severity. The main finding from this project was there is not one factor either lifestyle factors, stress, and physical health that explained anxiety severity. Rather, the severity of anxiety was best captured by the interaction across all factors. Efforts to enhance aspects of life that support better sleep, a decrease in caffeine consumption, managing stress, and supporting heart health takes a more integrated approach to reducing anxiety. This is critical because anxiety is not just one thing but a variety of factors, aspects of life, health, and environment. Thus, by enhancing these interconnected factors, can be an effective way reduce the factors that lead to anxiety.

Ultimately, the goal of this project is to spur more research into the understanding of anxiety, decorating of it, as well as regulating its potential. My aim in this project was to show that more effective, and potentially personalized, approaches to manage anxiety are possible from the use of an individual's own specific behaviours. Using the main areas of improvement identified earlier (caffeine, exercise, sleep, and stress management) potentially provides practitioners in the health care field with a targeted approach for an intervention for dealing with anxiety. More research is required into the deeper psychological issues, as well as the long-term implications of anxiety. And to further, understand and assist more personalized (individually catered) care.