Part 1: Natural Remedies to Reduce Anxiety
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the world. While it impacts people differently and can be more severe for some than others, the silver lining is that it’s often very manageable—with the right treatment. While some medications are designed to help with anxiety symptoms, some try to avoid prescriptions. Others want to lead a more natural lifestyle. Thankfully, some tried and true natural remedies have been shown to reduce the effects of anxiety.
Let’s take a look at a few of them, so you can start managing your symptoms as soon as possible.
Staying Physically Active
One of the best ways to combat anxiety is to exercise. Physical activity naturally boosts your mood, gives you energy, and can serve as a healthy distraction against intrusive thoughts. Make exercising part of your daily routine, and you’re likely to be in a calmer state of mind throughout the day.
If you start feeling anxious, consider what you can do in that moment to be active. Even if it’s taking a walk around the block, moving your body and distracting your mind can make a big difference in how you feel.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness and meditation are nothing new. However, they’ve both grown in popularity over the last few years as more people integrate them into their daily practices. Mindfulness is simply the act of staying in the present. Anxious thoughts might continue to knock on the door, but mindfulness lets you let them go without letting them in. It helps you focus on the here and now rather than worrying about the past or future. Don’t think of mindfulness as sitting on a cushion with your eyes closed. You practice mindfulness anytime you focus your mind on the present—even for only a couple second. You can practice this during any daily tasks—washing the dishes, taking a shower, or cooking dinner.
Spend Time Outside
Natural is the ultimate healer in so many ways. Studies have shown that spending time outdoors is one of the best ways to boost your mood and experience a sense of calm. Spending time in nature can make you feel happier, reduce feelings of anxiety, and even improve your focus. If you’re having trouble being mindful or practicing deep breathing, getting outside can help. You’ll feel more connected to the world around you. More importantly, you’ll able to take advantage of the exercises that keep you in the present. Remember, you don’t have to go far to enjoy the outdoors. Simply looking at trees, bushes, or flowers in a local park or along the street can have an impact!
Anxiety and Therapy
There are so many additional natural remedies to reduce anxiety. Don’t be afraid to try different things to find a solution that works for you. However, the best thing you can do for yourself, in addition to trying these remedies, is to seek out the help of a professional.
The remedies listed here are designed to make it easier to manage your symptoms and reduce your anxious thoughts in the moment. But, if you truly want to overcome anxiety, you have to get to the root cause of it. A therapist can help you do that. They’ll offer even more techniques and strategies for managing your symptoms. Contact us to learn more about working with a counselor to help manage your anxiety more effectively.