“How to Lower Anxiety” is a common question, asked by millions of people daily. If you are wondering how to lower your anxiety naturally, you will find 5 relatively simple, drug-free suggestions in this article. As with all medical conditions, please consult your physician or a medical professional when deciding to make changes to your diet or medication protocol.
By Elise Morgan and Dr. Cynthia Thaik
Image by pexels
Approximately 1 in 5 people experience an anxiety disorder during any given calendar year. With a global population of nearly 8 billion, anxiety is projected to affect over 1.4 billion people by 2020. While that statistic can be startling to see, it also brings with it a silver lining—you’re not alone.
So, whether you suffer from anxiety yourself, or have friends and family with anxiety, the information in this article will be invaluable. Below are five tools you can utilize to treat anxiety the natural way.
1. Exercise To Reduce Anxiety
If I told you there was a way to lower anxiety, at no monetary cost, and in less time than it takes to eat lunch, would you believe me? Well, studies suggest taking just a 10-minute walk can noticeably lower anxiety, and that those who exercise are 25% less likely to develop anxiety in the first place. The link between exercise and anxiety is clear, and there is no doubt that moving your body provides numerous mental and physical health benefits. Location permitting, a nature walk will enhance these effects, and provides a great opportunity to practice mindfulness.
2. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the process of living in the moment and appreciating your surroundings. If you are wondering how to practice mindfulness for anxiety, some fantastic ways of sharpening this skill include meditation, yoga, and actively avoiding brooding. On that last point, if you find yourself dwelling on an unpleasant thought, it presents a wonderful opportunity to practice mindfulness. Take a moment to close your eyes, clear your head, and take in your environment. After a moment, you should feel utterly more relaxed than before.
3. Eat Healthy Foods That Lower Anxiety
Are there foods that help with anxiety? A balanced diet has far-reaching benefits, one of which is lowered anxiety with improved mood. There’s no such thing as a perfect diet, but it’s still important to follow some simple guidelines when selecting foods to help lower anxiety and stress. First, it’s of the utmost importance to avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks, which promote anxiety in most people. Natural supplements like B12, L-theanine, and Cannabidiol, which have proven to be effective in 64% of users, and can be a great way to reduce anxiety. Last, by avoiding refined sugars and added sodium you improve the entire physical system, including your brain.
4. Improve Your Spiritual Health
Our spirituality is at the heart of who we are; connecting our values, beliefs, and religious faiths. Everyone practices being spiritual every day, but many people aren’t aware of it. Every time you question one of your actions, have faith that a situation will improve, meditate, or even relax, you’re practicing spirituality. By being aware of this practice and making an effort to be more in-tune with your spirituality, you take a major step in improving yourself, and your anxiety. Spirituality can ease anxiety and depression, whether because it helps you feel more hopeful, because your attitudes and behaviors evolve in a positive direction, or due to the healing routine of a spiritual practice.
5. Follow a Routine To Manage Anxiety
Having a daily routine, especially with eating and sleeping, are essential to improving stress and anxiety. By staying consistent we can start to home in on the sources of our anxious triggers. Often, just getting enough rest each night is all it takes to improve mood and general wellness. And, in respect to food, the old German proverb comes to mind, “He who drinks and has no thirst, or who eats and has no hunger, unlike him whose health is first, suffers illness and dies younger.” In essence, make sure you’re not overeating, which leads to thinks like obesity and heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.
