With the much more open attitude to talking about mental health concerns these days, it feels as though we have only just realised just how many people are affected by anxiety on a daily basis. Of course, there are numerous fantastic medicinal options available to people who are really suffering, but if you want to look for alternatives, there are plenty of natural ways to go too. Here are 19 natural remedies for anxiety.
A nice cup of hot chamomile tea has been proven to have the same effect on the human brain as valium, in a less harmful dosage of course!
Another tea with wonderful effects, the green variety contains an amino acid that helps to reduce heart rate and blood pressure.
Hops has a great tranquilizing effect, and the even better news is that it can most commonly be found in beer!
It might sound like something out of Game Of Thrones, but in fact it is a herbal supplement that has a pleasing sedative effect.
Most easily consumed as a tea, lemon balm has been used as a calming agent as far back as the Middle Ages.
Anxiety can make you want to lock yourself in a room and curl up into a ball, but due to the euphoria-inducing endorphins that it releases, exercise is something that can be really helpful.
And if you do decide to exercise, the magic number of minutes is a minimum of twenty-one. That is the number you need to reach in order for the endorphins to kick in.
This is another herb that is a natural sedative, it’s actually so effective that it has been approved for nervousness by the German government!
This is one that you probably already know. Even just the smell of lavender has been proven to be able to calm a person down and make them feel safe.
Try a little yoga breathing; it is proven to be able to release feelings of stress. Try the 4-7-8 method, which is inhaling for four seconds, holding the breath for seven, and exhaling for eight.
Having a quick snack can be good for anxiety, especially if it is being caused by a quick drop in blood sugar.
Make sure to eat breakfast every single day. That early morning fuel and energy can prevent you from crashing later on.
Omega 3 fatty acids have been proven to help relieve depression, so make sure to eat lots of oily fish!
Make the effort not to look for the worst case scenario in a situation, instead looking for a silver lining in each cloud.
Get yourself to a steamy sauna! Hot conditions have been proven to be able to relax the body and in turn relax the mind.
Don’t worry, this isn’t about swimming in a pond! Taking a forest bath refers to getting out in nature and spending time in the natural splendour for at least twenty minutes a day.
Do a quick Google search for simple mindfulness techniques, it’s a sort of a mild form of meditation that can really make you feel more centred and calm.
When you feel your nerves getting the better of you, stop and ask yourself why that might be. If you can identify a cause, you can then come up with a solution.
Don’t feel ashamed to celebrate little milestones and mini goals, even just feeling good for a whole day for the first time this week. Your body and mind deserve credit for treating you well!