Ways To Reduce Anxiety Naturally:
Our society is wired up for stress and anxiety. In fact, 18% of American adults, 40 million people, suffer with anxiety on a regular basis . Women are twice as likely to struggle with this than men. Recent evidence has shown that taking good care of your body and brain will reduce anxiety and support feelings of well-being. At the bottom of this article, you will discover 14 proven strategies to apply today to reduce anxiety naturally.
We have 2 dominant pathways that govern the processes within our body. One is called the sympathetic nervous system that drives a fight or flight response that helps us survive and perform. The parasympathetic wing of our nervous system is the antagonist to the sympathetic in that it helps our body to relax, digest food and heal. Individuals with anxiety are in a state of sympathetic dominance where they are in a near constant state of fight or flight.
People With Social Anxiety Don’t Want To Be Alone
8. Go to bed early.
This may sound impossible if you’re accustomed to staying up late to catch up on the to-do list. But this one’s a must.
Sleep deprivation is a huge anxiety culprit. Inadequate shuteye can amplify the brain’s anticipatory reactions, upping overall anxiety levels, according to research.
“We all have anticipatory anxiety,” explains researcher Fugen Neziroglu. “Having moderate levels of anxiety about doing well is important. But it can be destructive when it begins to interfere with your life.” It’s impossible to have healthy emotional functioning without adequate sleep.
Don’t burn the midnight oil in hopes of catching up on the weekends. Unused sleep minutes don’t roll over.
9. Wake up 15 minutes early.
Like most anxious people, you’re probably rushing around in the morning and yelling at everyone in your wake, “Hurry up! We’re going to be late!”
Go slowly, and set yourself up for a relaxed day ahead. If you start to worry about the to-do list, take a deep breath and think: There is enough time.
10. Get your lavender on!
Lavender oil has many healing properties and can be used as a natural remedy to reduce anxiety and other nervous conditions. There are many ways to incorporate lavender into your calm tool kit:
11. Reduce caffeine, sugar, and processed foods.
Sugar acts as an adrenal stimulant and can cause anxiety or even panic attacks. Other offensive foods include those containing refined flour products and even wheat, since this causes inflammation.
Focus On Sleep Quality
Sleep is essential to our mental and physical health, and anxiety is frequently connected to sleeping problems. Excess worry and fear make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. Sleep deprivation, in turn, can worsen anxiety, spurring a negative cycle involving insomnia and anxiety disorders.
Because of the relationship between anxiety and sleep, getting better rest may help combat feelings of anxiety. It is important that we build healthy sleep habits that make going to bed a more pleasant experience, as well as facilitate a consistent routine to enhance our sleep.
Healthy sleep habits can include making your bed more comfortable, eliminating sources of sleep disruption like light and noise, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol in the afternoon and evening. Trying relaxation techniques can also help identify ways to get rid of anxiety and make it easier to fall asleep quickly and peacefully.
If you would like to read more about how to improve sleep patterns, read our blog on “How to Improve natural Sleep Patterns“.
You May Like: Can A Uti Cause Anxiety
How To Treat Anxiety Naturally
Today I would like to focus on anti-anxiety treatment tools these are actionable information you wont find anywhere.
There is a lot of anxiety in general right now due to the fact we are currently experiencing a global pandemic and an economical crisis, as a result, we are all affected and rather anxious.
These tools I am discussing today with you will help to relieve some of anxiety you may have developed as a result of current situation.
This information is designed to help these people who have been diagnosed with all forms of anxiety disorders.
As you educate yourself in existing treatment options, please discuss any changes and additions to your current treatment with your leading doctor.
This is not a medical advice, but it is information you can use as a conversation-starter with your physician at your next appointment.
- Anxiety is the most common of all mental disorders, currently affects about one in 13 people worldwide witch is about 7.3 % of population.
Interestingly, this mental disorder is more prevalent in Western counties.
Anxiety is characterised by feelings of worry, or fear that are strong enough to interfere with ones daily activities.
Examples of anxiety disorders include panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Traditional treatment includes counselling and medication, including antidepressants.
In todays post I focus on other ways to deal with anxiety a holistic nutritional intervention.
For example
Cbd Oil Gummies And Treats
As of now, theres not enough scientific evidence to really tell us whether or not cannabidiol, a chemical found in marijuana thats become especially popular in the past few years, is effective when it comes to treating anything from epilepsy to anxiety. However, some people swear by it.
While Dr. Margaret Haney, professor of neurobiology and psychiatry at the Columbia University Medical Center, told the Cut that although CBD seems to act at a wide range of brain sites, and could therefore be acting at one of the serotonin receptors in your anxious brain, many scientists say they still just dont know enough about the chemical. If youre interested in trying CBD, though, it comes in everything from edibles to eye serum to oil.
Also Check: How To Stop Intrusive Thoughts Anxiety
Eat Healthy And Avoid Substances
What you put in your body affects how you feel, for better or for worse. Here’s what to eat and what to avoid to improve your mood:
- Avoid fat, sugar, and carbs:Research has found that a diet high in fat, sugar, and refined carbohydrates may increase the risk of anxiety.
- Eat whole foods: On the other hand, eating a diet rich in natural, wholesome foods like fruits, vegetables, and legumes, while avoiding sugary snacks, can help control anxiety and boost your mood.
- Try fermented foods: Eating fermented foods may also have benefits for people with anxiety. A 2015 study found that people with high neuroticism a tendency to experience negative emotions who ate more fermented foods had fewer symptoms of social anxiety
- Add omega-3s to your diet: Another study found that omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fish like salmon and sardines, reduced anxiety in medical students.
- Avoid alcohol: Many people with anxiety get temporary relief from symptoms when they drink, but experience increased symptoms when they stop drinking. That leads some people with anxiety to drink even more. For example, social anxiety disorder is closely linked to alcohol use disorder, according to a 2019 twin study.
Repeat A Positive Affirmation
When you notice yourself feeling anxious, try repeating a mantra or affirmation such as “I am safe” or “I am calm.”
Mantra repetition is a staple of transcendental meditation, which is associated with a reduction in stress and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. While transcendental meditation is centered around a specific mantra assigned to you by an instructor, you can still gain benefits from coming up with your own mantra or positive affirmation.
Here’s what the research says:
- In one small 2015 study, repeating a one-word mantra reduced activity in the brain, which, for people who suffer from racing thoughts or ruminations, could be useful for calming anxiety.
- According to a 2022 review, various forms of mantra meditation were associated with a “small-to-moderate” reduction in anxiety, stress, and depression.
- In a small 2016 study of female heart disease patients, using positive affirmations caused a significant decrease in stress, anxiety, and depression.
Some examples of positive affirmations that you can try include:
- “I trust myself”
- “I am relaxed and at peace”
- “My life is a gift”
- “I have faith in my abilities”
Also Check: How To Overcome Anxiety And Panic Attacks
Lavender And Other Soothing Essential Oils
Especially for sleep and stress and relaxation, essential oils can be used externally for aromatherapy, said Wei, who recommends lavender and lemon balm before bed for destressing, or peppermint if youre looking for something more stimulating. Lavender oil, in particular, has been shown to react the same way biochemically that some anti-anxiety medications do with specific neuroreceptors.
When To See A Doctor For Anxiety Symptoms
While life always has a certain degree of stress, if you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or unhappy consistently, its time to seek help. Dr. Zablow says: A medical evaluation for anxiety should be sought when it is severe enough to interfere with normal daily function at work, at school, or in relationships.
While anxiety is a possibility when youre feeling stressed, some other conditions might have similar physical symptoms and need different treatment. Some conditions that mimic the symptoms of anxiety include:
You May Like: Is Fidgeting A Sign Of Anxiety
Name What Youre Feeling
When youre experiencing an anxious episode, you may not realize whats going on until youre really in the thick of it.
Recognizing anxiety for what it is may help you calm down quicker.
Name that this is anxiety not reality and that it will pass, says Kim Hertz, a psychotherapist at New York Therapy Practice. When you are in a heightened state of anxiety, you want to disrupt that cycle, and for some people, thought-stopping techniques are effective and as simple as saying stop to the internalized messaging that heightens anxiety.
In other words, consider recognizing that what youre feeling is anxiety and talking yourself through it.
Embrace absolute truths, says Steven Sultanoff, clinical psychologist and professor at Pepperdine University. I will get through this one way or another.
Naming your sensations and feelings may help you step away from them. This is anxiety, it is not you and it wont last forever.
Always Stressed Here Are 8 Natural Stress Relievers To Try Now
Stress: We all deal with it, yet we know how much better off wed be both physically and mentally if we could only get it under control and find stress relievers that really work. While stress can be a positive, motivating factor at times , more and more research shows that chronic stress impacts the body in ways similar to a poor diet, lack of sleep or sedentary lifestyle.
Would you believe that 75 percent to 90 percent of all doctors office visits are related to conditions caused by stress? How exactly does stress negatively affect our health in so many ways? It mostly boils down to changes in our hormones, which then cascade to an increase in inflammation and various other problems.
Uncontrolled stress experienced over a long period of time is considered chronic, dangerous and capable of increasing someones risk for heart disease, diabetes, weight gain or obesity, mental disorders, autoimmune diseases, digestive disorders, and even cancer.
Lets face it, the stress we face today isnt going anywhere, which is exactly why its more important than ever to find natural ways to bust stress that work well for us. If youre up against large amounts of stress in your life , studies show you can greatly benefit from carving out more time in your busy schedule for things like regular exercise, meditation, spending time outdoors and keeping up with fun hobbies.
Read Also: What To Do If You Have Bad Anxiety
Do I Need Treatment For Anxiety
Thereâs a lot you can do on your own to relieve anxiety, but sometimes you need help. Psychotherapy and medication are the two main treatments for anxiety disorders.
Signs that itâs time to talk to a mental health professional include:
- Constant or nearly constant anxiety
- Anxiety that gets in the way of your daily activities, like work or social life
- Anxiety about things that donât actually threaten you
- Panic attacks
Check your health insurance policy to see what mental health services your plan covers. Then, review a list of your in-network providers to find one to connect with.
âYou donât want to add to your anxiety by paying big out-of-pocket fees,â Kissen says.
Your primary care doctor may also be able to recommend a mental health professional with experience treating anxiety and anxiety disorders.
Rosmarin notes that itâs important to find a provider you click with and trust. He also says therapy doesnât need to go on indefinitely to be effective.
âA course of cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety may be eight to 10 sessions,â he says. âThereâs also data to suggest that people feel substantially better after just one therapy session for panic disorder.â
Show Sources
How To Calm Anxiety Naturally
If you live with anxiety, there are natural options you can try to lower your stress levels and improve your coping skills.
Some of these natural remedies for anxiety will involve herbs and supplements, but most may include changes in some of your routines and habits.
When it comes to supplements, its highly advisable to check with your healthcare professional for
, that may have limited evidence to back up their purported benefits. They may work for some people, while others wont see any results from taking them.
Here are some options to help relieve anxiety naturally that have worked for many people:
Read Also: What Is The Best Medication For Stress And Anxiety
Stick To A Sleep Schedule
Anxiety can make it difficult to sleep, and not being well-rested can contribute to more anxiety.
However, there are a few key ways to get better sleep with anxiety, such as having a sleep routine that includes going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.
Overall, trying to get near the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night can help keep anxiety at bay. “Inadequate sleep increases the production of stress hormones that can exacerbate anxiety,” Jonas says.
How To Sleep Better If You Have Anxiety
Getting enough shut-eye every night is vital for both our physical and mental health. When we sleep, our bodies perform a variety of functions, from repairing damaged cells to strengthening our immune systems.17
Sleep is also crucial for our brain as its when it processes all the information weve soaked up during the day and consolidates it into long term memories.18
If you dont get enough sleep every night, youll likely feel lethargic the following day, much more irritable and probably have poorer concentration levels. These can all have a big impact on your everyday life and may make any anxiety youre experiencing seem much worse.
Also Check: Does Urgent Care Treat Anxiety