In the United States, anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders. A person with anxiety can often face symptoms such as chest pain, tension, a racing heart, nervousness, and agitation. While everyone feels anxious from time to time, for some people, anxiety is a normal part of life. Unfortunately, when stress and anxiety becomes a chronic issue, a daily struggle, it can seriously affect your quality of life. However, there are helpful self-care tips that you can implement into your daily routine that can help naturally reduce anxiety.
Living with anxiety can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. If you deal with anxiety regularly, take control. Learn more about the best methods you can use to reduce anxiety naturally.
Watch What You Eat
You are what you eat, so if your diet is full of chemicals and is high in sugar, you probably will not feel your best. Unhealthy food can affect your mood and temperament, so pay close attention to how you feel after you eat. If you find that your anxiety is worse after eating, look closely at the food you are eating. Eliminating processed foods and eating a healthy diet can help improve both your mind and body.
Get Your Body Moving
Getting daily exercise is good for the body and mind, so if you are looking for a healthy way to burn off anxious energy, get your body moving. If weather permits, exercising outdoors is an excellent way to get out into nature, and get some vitamin D production if the sun is out. Both of these can also help reduce anxiety, so go get moving!
Rest and Recover
Sleep is good, especially if your anxiety is in high-gear. For some, lack of sleep and being always on the move can trigger anxiety, so make sure you are doing your brain and body some good by making sure you are getting adequate rest each night. If you find that your anxiety is preventing you from falling asleep, create a routine. Maybe end the night with a workout, a relaxing bath, or with a cup of chamomile tea.
Clear Your Mind and Breathe
Through the act of meditation and deep breathing, you can help fend off anxious feelings. Mindfulness meditation can be practiced anywhere, at any time, and all it requires from you is to pay attention to the present moment fully. So this can be done while drinking a cup of tea, going for a walk, reading a book, or even when you are doing nothing but breathing. All you have to do is fully concentrate on what you’re doing and fully be in the moment.
Use the Power of Scent
There is a psychology to smell, so if you are prone to anxiety attacks using essential oils can help relieve stress and anxiety. You can apply a few drops to your shirt, add some to a bath, inhale them directly, or add a few drops to a diffuser to make your home smell wonderful. Some of the best essential oils for relieving anxiety are lavender, rose, ylang-ylang, clary sage, and bergamot.
Stress Reduction Therapy
When the body is under stress, your blood pressure and heart rate increase, your immune system becomes suppressed, and hormone levels, such as cortisol, rise. High amounts of stress can lead to weight gain, infertility, and can make you look and feel older. However, at the Salerno Center for Complementary Medicine, our team can come up with a stress reduction therapy plan to fit your unique needs. Contact us today to learn more!