Around 9.4million people in the UK are now thought to be living with anxiety or another mental health condition, an NHS campaign has revealed.  

The figures come following concerns that an anxiety epidemic is driving people out of the workforce, with many not seeking help until their symptoms become unmanageable in adulthood. 

And with research by the Mental Health Foundation suggesting around 60 per cent of adults have experienced anxiety that 'interferes with their daily life', it may seem like it's just an inevitable part of modern day life. 

But experts say there are some things you can do to alleviate feelings of stress and worry that feel almost impossible to control.

Whilst most people will experience anxiety at some point in their lives, as the body's natural response to danger or threat, generalised anxiety disorder doesn't usually have an obvious cause. 

Rather, people with anxiety disorders tend to worry about many different things in their everyday life - whether that's social situations, public speaking or work deadlines - that don't pose any real danger, Professor Oliver Robinson, a neuroscientist at University College London, explains. 

Other common symptoms include difficulty sleeping, restlessness, stomach issues, palpitations and consistent low mood or depression. 

Some people suffering from anxiety will also experience panic attacks or an overwhelming fear of something specific, like flying - known as phobias. 

There are various evidence-based for treatments that have been found to help manage symptoms - though Prof Robinson says there's no one-size fits all way o approach it. 

These include talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), medication through selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) - which are also used to treat depression - and beta-blockers which help ease physical symptoms. 

But in most cases, patients find a combination of treatments to be most effective, with up to 75 per cent finding their symptoms improve with treatment. 

And whilst there is no substitute for treatment, there are some lifestyle tweaks you can make to ensure you're not making things worse. 

A lot of people who suffer from anxiety will find social settings particularly triggering - whether that's one-on-one interactions or big parties. 

But, according to Prof Robinson, shying away from socialising and spending a lot of time in isolation can actually make anxiety worse. 

'When you don't have any real life examples to rely on, your worse fears become confirmed,' he told The Telegraph. 

'This then makes it much harder to face your fears and go to that party or lunch with friends.' 

So whilst it's good to be able to spend time alone, according to Prof Robinson, excluding yourself from social environments can actually exacerbate patterns of negative thinking, reinforcing the cycle. 

Rather, he suggests trying not to avoid the thing that is causing you anxiety, and face it head on - 'even if that's just once in every ten time that the fear comes up.' 

He continued: 'Evidence shows that facing your fears is the best way to stop being scared of them, to recognise and gradually re-learn that there is no real danger.' 

Aerobic exercise has also been found to be an effective treatment for anxiety - with some studies even suggesting it should be considered a frontline treatment. 

Earlier this month, scientists analysed 63 published reviews on exercise and mental health and found that some of the greatest improvements were observed in young people and new mothers. 

Low-intensity programmes that lasted a couple of months were found to be most effective at alleviating symptoms in these particularly vulnerable groups. 

Sedentary lifestyles have ling been linked with an increased risk of mood disorders. 

Exercise releases feel-good hormones known as endorphins which have mood-boosting effects, whilst also regulating the body's nervous system. 

However, experts warn while exercise can be considered an effective treatment for people with mild anxiety, for many it should be seen as a complement to, not replacement of, existing treatments. 

Prof Robinson added: 'The practical accomplishment of picking up something new may also boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem, which can be important in the process of overcoming anxiety.'  

A healthy diet, following the 80-20 rule, comes hand in hand with regular exercise to ward off symptoms of anxiety. 

Whilst it is all too easy to eat your feelings, Prof Robinson says eating when sad or anxious can result in emotional over-eating or food addiction. 

When we eat something we enjoy, endorphins and dopamine is released in the brain, balancing our feelings of anxiety.

However, when we abuse this cycle, anxiety can worsen. Eating a lot of ultra-processed foods and refined carbohydrates can also cause blood sugar levels to spike and then crash, taking a toll on the body's stress response. 

For similar reasons, the neurologist recommends avoiding drinking coffee on an empty stomach, to help control cortisol spikes. 

Whilst many of us feel like we need a cup of coffee upon waking, to help kick start our mornings, caffeine also triggers the release of cortisol, the so-called stress hormone. 

Eating before drinking caffeine can help slow absorption, reducing its effect. 

The same is true of alcohol - which can worsen sleep quality and interfere with the delicate balance of hormones in the brain, 

Alcohol prompts the release of dopamine, which makes us feel relaxed - hence why many of us will crave a glass of wine at the end of a long day. 

But the effects are short-lived. Over time, the central nervous system get used to the suppressing effects of alcohol and when it wears off, this can lead to feelings of panic and low mood. 

Finally, Prof Robinsons says setting your alarm too early can actually exacerbate feelings of anxiety. 

This is because it can both cause and be worsened by poor sleep - with even healthy adults who don't get enough sleep reporting feeling more anxious in the day. 

Over time, sleep depravation interferes with emotional regulation, whilst increasing activity in the area of the brain responsible for fear, called the amygdala.

To ensure you're giving yourself the opportunity to get enough sleep, Prof Robinson suggests going to bed at least eight hours before you need to get up for work - taking into consideration how long it usually takes for you to nod off. 

It is also important to have a good nighttime routine, helping the body maintain a regular rhythm. 

'Fluctuating wake up and bed times affects hormone release - if you get up at varying hours your body will not know when to release cortisol which makes us feel more awake' Maryanne Taylor, a sleep consultant at Sleep Works explains. 

Scrolling before bed can also exacerbate feelings of anxiety - as news alerts, emails and messages can all trigger spikes of adrenaline making it harder for the nervous system to enter a state of rest. 

Ultimately, if you are experiencing persistent feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, Prof Robinson advises seeking professional help.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 280million people worldwide suffer from depression and 301million have anxiety disorders. 

In the last decade, cases have sharply risen in the UK in 16-to-24 year olds prompting experts to urge people to get therapy on the NHS to in a bid to tackle unemployment.