6 Natural Remedies to Reduce Anxiety
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the world. While there are different types of anxiety as well as different levels of severity, no one should have to deal with intrusive, worried thoughts on a regular basis. Thankfully, multiple treatment solutions can make managing anxiety symptoms easier. Many people take medication to calm intrusive thoughts and fight back against fear.
However, that’s not an option for everyone. Not all medications are as effective for some people. Others might not want to be on a prescription or depend on something unnatural to help them with their mental health. If that sounds like you, you don’t have to give up hope on reducing your anxiety. There are natural, effective ways to manage it every day. Let’s take a look at a few tried and true solutions.
1. Prioritize Sleep
It’s not always easy to get a good night’s rest when you’re struggling with anxiety. But sleep is essential if you want to manage your symptoms. If you have difficulty getting enough rest, try to improve your sleep hygiene. Go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning. Avoid electronics before bed. Make sure your room is an ideal environment for sleeping. Practice mindfulness or meditation before bed to relax.
2. Exercise
Physical activity is incredibly important for anxiety management. Most people understand the physical benefits of exercise, but it can do wonders for your mental health. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress, boost your mood, improve energy levels, and lower anxiety. You don’t have to run a marathon or go to the gym each day. Take a walk around your neighborhood. Or, find something fun and unique to enjoy, like a dance class. The more you enjoy the activity, the more likely you’ll be to stick with it.
3. Get Social
It’s easy to want to withdraw from the people and things you love when you’re struggling with anxiety. Unfortunately, isolation can make your symptoms worse. Lean on your support system. Spend time with people you care about. Even if you just have coffee with a friend a few times a week, that socialization can be a positive, healthy distraction from intrusive thoughts. Plus, you can open up to the people you love about your struggles. Being able to talk about what you’re dealing with can provide a lot of relief and might make you feel more empowered over your anxiety.
4. Be More Mindful
Mindfulness has grown in popularity as a practice over the last few years. But it’s far from a fad or a trend. It’s a wonderful way to combat anxiety, and it can be used as needed or as part of your regular routine. Practicing mindfulness brings you back to the present. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. When intrusive thoughts start to come, let them pass by like clouds without holding on.
5. Limit Caffeine
Many people rely on a daily “jolt” of caffeine to start their day. While there’s likely nothing wrong with your morning cup of coffee, limiting your caffeine intake throughout the day can be a good idea. Too much caffeine can make you nervous and jittery. If you’re already struggling with anxiety, it can worsen your symptoms. Caffeine can also alter your brain chemistry and increase alertness. When dealing with intrusive thoughts, that kind of alertness can make them even more vivid and controlling.
6. Talk to Someone
Just because you don’t want to take medication for anxiety doesn’t mean you can’t seek professional help. Therapy is one of the best ways to manage the condition effectively. A mental health professional can help you get to the root cause of your anxiety. From there, you can work on overcoming it while developing the necessary skills to manage your symptoms.
As you can see, you don’t need to rely on prescriptions to reduce anxiety. It can be done naturally, safely, and effectively. Don’t be afraid to try a few of these remedies to manage your symptoms and take control of your thoughts again.
If you would like to hear more about ways to reduce anxiety, or are interested in starting anxiety therapy, please reach out to Nancy today to get started!