8 Natural Alternatives to Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is defined as a general sense of worry or uncertainty. Over time, anxiety can lead to a compulsive state of stress or panic attacks. Anxiety is often treated by prescription drugs, which can be helpful for many people. For others, however, prescription drug addiction is a dangerous possibility. For this reason, many people are looking for natural ways to treat anxiety. Here are some suggestions:

1) Chamomile tea

Chamomile can be taken as a supplement or brewed into a tea. This versatile flower compound contains apigenin, which can act on the same brain receptors as valium.

Roman chamomile oil can be added to a diffuser and inhaled to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. pexels-photo-9908302) Exercise

Choose exercises you enjoy and block out time to do them at least four times a week. Putting a priority on your own health can help you make the right choices after exercise becomes a habit.

3) Lavender

Lavender essential oil is a terrific tool to help you calm your mind and focus on your breathing. A dab of lavender oil on your collarbone or wrist, coupled with 5 deep breathing cycles, can help you get a grip on whatever is fueling your anxiety.

Lavender oil can also be added to a warm bath to calm your brain as it relaxes your body before bed.

4) Grounding

When worrisome thoughts take wing and begin to get in the way of focusing your mind in another direction, choose something tactile to focus on. Run your fingertips over something furry or fluffy. Count the ridges on the edge of a house or car key. Occupy your brain fully on this sensation until the worries can be brought under control.

Grounding can also be achieved by placing your bare feet on a section of carpet or a yoga mat. Focus on stretching your spine or relaxing your neck and jaw while you curl your toes down into the carpet or mat.

5) Reduce Your Caffeine Intake

You may feel you need caffeine to wake you up, but once you’re alert, caffeine may turn into fuel that fires up anxious thoughts. If you drink coffee all morning and soda with lunch, stop the coffee at 10 a.m. or just have water with lunch.

Nicotine can also increase anxiety by constricting your blood vessels. Many smokers think a cigarette will relax them, but often what they’re experiencing is a centering on their own breath. Thus, they gain focus, rather than general relaxation, from the act of smoking.

person-woman-coffee-cup6) Avoid Artificial Light When Possible

As your body winds down at the end of the day, try moving away from artificial or screen light. If you go to bed at 10, turn off the computer or television at 9. At 9:30, lock up your house and light a couple of candles. Make your way to bed by this small amount of natural light. This candlelight can also be used as a meditation focus before you fall asleep.

This can be especially helpful if you’ve become dependent on artificial sleeping aides. These highly addictive substances can become serious crutches and are a hard habit to break. However, by allowing your body to rely on the trigger of darkness to retrain the brain to sleep naturally, you can reduce your need for these medications.

7) Guided Meditation

Once the candle has been blown out, try a guided meditation recording to help you relax your body from the top down. Doing guided meditation right before bed is an excellent way to develop a healthy bedtime routine. This voice coming out of the dark can act as a drone that helps you drift off.

8) Put Warm Water To Use

A warm shower or bath is an ideal way to shed tension at the end of a long day. As you get more and more tired, your core temperature will drop and leave you feeling sluggish. If your thoughts are agitated even though your body is worn out, anxiety may well be the result.

Showering is a habitual act; that is, we don’t really have to think about the steps necessary to get clean in the shower. Once we’re in the habit loop, good ideas can often show up in the shower. If you have a problem that needs solving, focus on it during your shower. You may get an answer as you towel off, or wake up with one the next day.

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