7 Natural Ways to Calm Your Anxiety

It’s hard to imagine a time when human beings didn’t feel anxious. In the modern era, this common psychological condition is treated with a variety of medications and therapies. But finding natural ways to calm your anxiety is more common than you would think. 

Anxiety doesn’t discriminate—it knows no boundaries, gender, or age limits. Anyone can be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder at any point in their life. With more research being conducted on mental illness, more people are seeking alternative ways to naturally manage their symptoms of anxiety.

1. Gardening Can Help You Unwind

Gardening is a great way to get outside and relax. It is a way to get to know your plants and see them in a new light. It is similar to meditation in that both are non-judgmental environments where you can focus on your inner self.

• You can use gardening as an opportunity to learn more about yourself and improve your relationships with others. Take time before each day starts to set aside some time for quiet time. The first thing you should do when waking up is to see your plants and water them and better those that need your help to grow and shine. 

Spending some time gardening may help you deal with your anxiety. It doesn’t matter if you’re a weekend warrior or the head of household, there is something calming about working with plants. Taking care of our planet has been associated with thoughts of peace and tranquility for thousands of years. Taking care of our own mental well-being can extend to our physical well-being as well. When you notice stress build up in your body, take a break from day-to-day activities and make yourself a priority doctor.

2. Take Advantage of Exercise

There is scientific evidence that highlights the physical and mental benefits of exercise. Anxiety is linked to an elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, and stress. Being aware of how these hormones affect your body can help to prevent anxiety and support a productive work environment. So why not take advantage of the tools available to you to reduce stress and make you more effective in your job?

There are three main types of exercise: 

1. Aerobic exercise
2. Resistance training
3. Yoga. 

Any combination of the three is good for improving confidence and reducing anxiety (although a combination of aerobic and resistance exercises is more effective than either alone). Winning the lottery, getting a promotion, or getting married will likely cause you to feel anxious without purpose. During these times it’s helpful to have motivations to make you feel good about yourself. 

3. Nature is cheaper than therapy

Cheering up can do wonders for your mood. And it’s not just for mood swings. It’s about relaxation as well. If you experience anxiety regularly, increasing your exposure to green areas could help you feel calmer and less anxious in general.

Being outdoors is always good for self-esteem and peace of mind. People who don’t go outside are missing out on something incredible. It can help with depression, stress, and making better decisions in life.

• Take a walk. It can be a short stroll through the park or a long journey on foot. Taking time to breathe and connect with the natural world can help reduce anxiety and help you achieve a state of relaxation. Your brain connects better when you are in nature and this can help reduce symptoms of depression, stress, and other illnesses by clearing away negative thoughts. 
• Spending time in nature can also help boost the production of endorphins, a chemical compound that is created when we engage in physical activity. This makes spending time in nature a great way to fight off anxiety while also improving your health.

4. Keep a Journal

Keeping a journal is one of the easiest and most effective ways to control your anxiety. It changes how you think about anxiety and how you react to it. If you’re struggling with anxiety, the best way to overcome it is by learning how to identify the triggers that lead up to panic attacks and how to prevent them. 

Research has shown that writing in your journal can increase your clarity of thought and help you see things more clearly. It can also help reduce your anxiety and ensure that you don’t succumb to the feeling of panic that can overtake you in stressful situations. It takes time and effort to focus on positive thoughts and feelings when anxious and stressed out – making this type of activity enjoyable can help contribute to a better mindset. 

• Write down how you feel and what your negative thoughts are. Write everything about when and what made you anxious? Having your triggers written down in a journal can help you know your anxiety and manage it better. 

5. Stop smoking

If you are suffering from anxiety, there is nothing more discouraging than reaching for a cigarette, even when you know it will make you anxious. Even mild stress can severely affect our moods and bodies. It is essential to learn how to naturally calm down and regain control over your nervous system. Reducing smoking could bring a big impact on your mood and even on your life. 

6. Eat a balanced healthy diet

Processed foods can cause mood changes. Avoid sugar and all processed carbs as much as possible. Processed foods also include bakery items, such as muffins, waffles, and pancakes that are made with whole wheat flour instead of white. Avoid packaged foods with artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, although these may have small amounts of these ingredients in them for flavor. 

Also, avoid eating during rush hour or when you’ve had a particularly large meal. Processed foods also may not be “healthy” enough for weight loss, or they may be high in refined carbs and sugars that aren’t “good” for you.

• It’s better to eat a balanced healthy diet. Almond flour, wheat germ, cashews, dried fruit, and protein could affect how you feel; both — physically and mentally. 

7. Get some good quality sleep

The most important thing you can do to feel better about the anxiety you’re experiencing and to prevent it from getting worse is to get some good quality sleep. Getting good sleep is sometimes as easy as turning off the lights. You don’t have to fight through anxiety to get a good night’s sleep. Learning to relax and refocus yourself can help reduce your symptoms of anxiety. 

• You could also try practicing relaxation techniques in different situations. For example, when you go grocery shopping you can practice calming down by focusing on the colors of the fruits and vegetables as you walk by. When you get home from work you could try playing music that helps you relax.

Conclusion

Anxiety disorders can be debilitating. Symptoms can include feeling stressed, anxious, upset, and agitated. It can be hard to cope with the feelings and maintain a positive outlook on life. There are many effective natural ways to combat anxiety including relaxation techniques, cognitive-behavioral techniques (CBT), hypnotherapy, and meditation. 

Many people find that when they view situations from a more positive angle, their anxiety symptoms subside significantly. Home remedies can be good for temporary issues, but if you’re struggling with anxiety in any significant way, you should seek professional help and always discuss your concerns with your doctor.