Natural Remedies For Anxiety That You Can Start Using Today
Whether
it's during a tough day at the office, in the midst of a claustrophobic
commute or when confronting an obstacle that seems impossible to
overcome, anxiety can strike at any moment, and it's important to know how to overcome it.
Over forty million adults across the United States suffer
from some form of anxiety disorder, with the average age of developing
the condition varying from seven to 32, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
However, thanks to some quick natural remedies, many of those moments
can be quelled and those who suffer from symptoms can begin tackling
life's challenges anxiety-free.
Below are some of the many ways that can be used to help cure, or at the very least mitigate, anxiety:
Chamomile
Health.com reported
on a study from the University of Pennsylvania's Medical Center in
which patients with anxiety were given a chamomile supplement and their
levels of anxiety were compared to another group of patients taking a
placebo. After eight weeks, the study found those using chamomile
experienced "a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms compared to
patients taking placebo," according to the site.
Lavender
The University of Maryland's Medical Center reported
lavender has been linked in a number of studies to reducing the effects
of anxiety, and can also be used to treat insomnia, depression and
fatigue. According to the university, "Research has confirmed that
lavender produces slight calming, soothing, and sedative effects when
its scent is inhaled." Lavender oil can be used as a massage lubricant,
which comes especially in handy when a quick back rub could make all the
difference in a day.
Yoga
Yoga is a traditional exercise
used not only to increase flexibility and improve physical health, but
to lift the mind and spirit as well. Of course, it's no secret that
yoga, as well as any form of stretching over a period of time, can have
positive overall effects on mood and comfort. However, Harvard
University Medical School finds
the effects may go even deeper, allowing the body to transform the way
it responds to causes of anxiety. According to the University, "By
reducing perceived stress and anxiety, yoga appears to modulate stress
response systems. This, in turn, decreases physiological arousal — for
example, reducing the heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and easing
respiration. There is also evidence that yoga practices help increase
heart rate variability, an indicator of the body's ability to respond to
stress more flexibly."
Have a bite to eat
Eating a healthy snack or meal is probably the most natural way of replenishing your body with energy, and one of the quickest, too. "Almost universally, people get more anxious and irritable when they are hungry," Dr. Ramsey, the coauthor of The Happiness Diet, told Health.com. "When you get an anxiety attack, it may mean your blood sugar is dropping. The best thing to do is to have a quick sustaining snack, like a handful of walnuts, or a piece of dark chocolate, along with a glass of water or a nice cup of hot tea." Another way to incorporate food into beating anxiety? Eat breakfast, every single day of the week.Get outside
It may be tough to
ditch the office or classroom, but being able to spend just 20 minutes
outside can have lasting effects on reducing stress levels and
increasing positive moods, according to the Huffington Post. "Just
looking at a garden or trees or going for a walk, even if it's in your
own neighborhood, reduces stress," Judith Heerwagon, a
Seattle-based environmental psychologist, told the Huffington Post in
2014. "I don't think anyone understands why, but there's something
about being in a natural setting that shows clear evidence of stress
reduction, including physiological evidence -- like lower heart rate."
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