Natural Ways to Reduce Anxiety

11 Remedies for Managing Everyday Stress and Anxiety

Are stress and anxious thoughts keeping you up at night and holding you back from living life to the fullest? If so, you’re not alone.

In today's fast-paced, high-stress society, anxiety affects millions of people every single day, yet, many suffer in silence out of fear of traditional pharmaceutical treatment options.

But when stress and anxiety become an ongoing daily struggle, it can wear down your brain's ability to function normally and have a significant impact on your quality of life.

Don’t let anxiety take over your life. Take charge of your mental health by finding ways to help ease your stress and anxiety.

For those that would rather not explore the idea of taking medication to control their anxiety, there are a number of natural remedies that can make a huge difference.

Tips for Reducing Stress Naturally

Here are some natural remedies to help you take control of your life and improve your anxiety.

Get Enough Good Sleep

Lack of sleep is often the root of a lot of mental health ailments, especially when it comes to anxiety.

In fact, getting enough quality sleep can help prevent anxiety from occurring in the first place.

Some studies have found that sleep deprivation increases your risk of anxiety and makes you more prone to developing an anxiety disorder.

So, if you are prone to anxiety, try to get as much sleep as possible.

Sleeping in a hammock is one way you can get an amazing night’s rest, as it molds and adjusts to your body perfectly while providing ample support. Plus, you will wake up feeling energized, refreshed, and ready to tackle the day.

Avoid Smoking Cigarettes and Consuming Alcohol

Alcohol is a natural sedative, so having a drink to calm your nerves can be effective at first. But once that buzz wears off, it opens the door for anxiety to return, and possibly even worsen.

The same goes for smoking cigarettes.

Like drinking alcohol, smoking a cigarette when you’re feeling stressed out is only a quick fix that could actually worsen your anxiety over time. 

In fact, research has found that nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes can alter pathways in the brain, leading to increased anxiety.

Frequent Exercise

Regular exercise is a great way to improve not only your physical health, but your mental health as well.

The reason for this is that when you are physically active, your body releases chemicals called endorphins, which trigger a positive feeling in the body. This ‘exercise high’ can help ease your anxiety for several hours after working out and leave you feeling happier overall.

Meditation Practice and Deep Breathing

One of the main goals of meditation is to get rid of chaotic, stressful thoughts and replace them with calm, and mindful thoughts, making it a great way to manage stress and anxiety.  

If your mind is often consumed with stressful thoughts and anxiety, try incorporating 30 minutes of meditation into your daily routine.

Animal Therapy

Animals offer companionship, love, and support, and anyone who has a pet knows that spending with them can be incredibly relaxing and help you forget about your troubles.

In fact, research has shown that pets and other animals such as horses, can help you manage certain mental health struggles like stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness and social isolation.

Essential Oils and Aromatherapy

Essential oils are used to help promote overall health and well-being, and can even help to manage anxiety, boost your mood, and help you sleep.

They can be either inhaled directly or added to a warm bath or diffuser. 

Some essential oils that can be used to relieve anxiety are:

• Bergamot
• Lavender
• Clary Sage
• Grapefruit
• Ylang Ylang

Camomile Tea

Compounds in the chamomile plant bind to the same brain receptors as drugs used to treat anxiety, such as Valium. So, the next time you are feeling jittery and stressed out, making a cup of chamomile tea can help to calm you down.

But If you are not a fan of the tea, you can also take it as a supplement.

Fresh Air and Sunlight

Decreased sun exposure can affect your serotonin levels, leading to depression and anxiety.

Therefore, getting outdoors and soaking in some sunlight has lots of mood-boosting benefits. Just be sure that you are wearing sun protection to avoid any harmful effects.

Writing

Finding a way to express your feelings when experiencing anxiety can help make it feel more manageable.

Next time anxiety starts setting in, try journaling or other forms of writing to help you cope.

Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil

Cannabidiol oil, also known as CBD oil, is known for its endless list of health benefits, and mental health is no exception.

Cannabidiol is extracted from cannabis plants to create an oil that is rich in chemicals called cannabinoids that bind to specialized receptors in the brain.

When ingested, CBD oil has been shown to help reduce anxiety without producing a high.

It can be used as a cooking oil, added to food, or by consuming a few drops as a medication.

Hammocks

If you’re feeling anxious and having trouble unwinding and relaxing, try hanging out in a hammock for a while.

The gentle swaying of a hammock is an incredibly soothing action that also impacts your brain waves, helping you fall asleep faster and feel more relaxed. 

Next time you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed, spend an hour on self-care by kicking back in a hammock and trying to clear your head from stress and worry.

When gone untreated, stress and anxiety can spiral and lead to further psychological damage.

The good news is that it can be easily treated with natural remedies, lifestyles changes, therapy, and medication if you choose. But not every method will work for everyone, so it’s important to experiment and try a combination of remedies to find the best option for your own peace of mind.