The diagnosis of anxiety leads many people to assume they'll be on medications soon. However, many natural remedies can be used to treat anxiety. While you may have to experiment and try different things, generally almost anyone can find a combination of natural remedies that work for them.
I've personally struggled with anxiety for years after being in an abusive romantic relationship. While I've had times throughout my life dealing with it like almost anyone, the severity of my anxiety started going as far as panic attacks in the past 10 years.
What is Anxiety
About 19% of adults in the United States experience anxiety disorders each year. This makes it the most common mental health issue in our country.
People with anxiety may face symptoms such as nervousness, agitation, tension, a racing heart, and even chest pain. An anxiety attack has been mistaken for a heart attack on many occasions.
Occasionally another health condition, such as an overactive thyroid, can lead to an anxiety disorder. An accurate diagnosis from your health provider can give you a better idea of what's causing your anxiety.
Regardless of what is causing your anxiety, I'm going to share some natural remedies that may be able to help you manage the symptoms.
Natural Remedies as Treatment
First of all I have to be clear that I am not recommending any medical treatments here. I am simply sharing things that have worked for me directly as someone dealing with anxiety, along with recommendations from trusted sources.
Natural remedies are generally considered safe when used in conjunction with your prescribed medications. It is always a good idea to consult with your medical practitioner about what you're planning on trying.
Suggestions for Natural Remedies for Anxiety
1. Exercise
Regular exercise is shown to be effective in dealing with both stress and anxiety. When you are at your worst, strenuous exercise in particular can be good to ease the symptoms.
2. Meditation
Meditation is not about clearing your mind so much as it is about focusing your thoughts. There is a wide range of meditation styles to try as there is no one way of doing it. It's about trying a variety of styles to find which one works best for you.
3. Weighted Blanket
For many people experiencing a panic attack, a weighted blanket can be very soothing. It puts your body into a "rest mode" that soothes the fight or flight impulses your body is feeling.
4. Quit Cigarettes and Alcohol
These are two things that have a proven direct correlation to stress and anxiety. I know you already know this. Please consider eliminating them both or at least drastically reduce your consumption of them.
5. Time Management Strategies
Sometimes our anxiety is self-induced in that we feel like we're constantly under a time limit to complete our commitments. Having a clear and concise plan of action can help with this tremendously. It can be as simple as starting a to-do list each morning. There are a number of phone apps to help as well as in our modern age.
6. Aromatherapy
Believe it or not, there is proven effectiveness with aromatherapy. You may have to experiment to find out what scents work best for you, but it could definitely be worth the time to find out. See below how Simple Apothecary can help you with this.
7. Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil
It can't be that shocking that CBD oil has made the list! Studies are currently ongoing to study it's effectiveness with anxiety specifically. Anecdotally, people for decades have been singing it's praises for treating anxiety. While CBD doesn't help everyone for everything, it can help for a lot of things for a lot of people.
8. Herbal Teas
While the process of making tea and drinking it can be soothing in itself, some herbs can have a direct effect on the brain with anxiety. A study in 2018 suggests chamomile can alter cortisol levels. Cortisol is considered a stress hormone and is the cause of many health issues in our body.
9. Herbal Supplements
Several different herbs and herbal supplements may help alleviate anxiety symptoms, helping you to relax and feel calmer. While there aren't any studies showing conclusive proof, generations of experience have to count for something. Consulting a trained herbalist can help you find particular herbs that work best for you.
10. Time with Animals
Finally, our pets can be one of our greatest sources of natural relief from anxiety. There is a number of studies showing the link between spending time with animals and mental ease. If you don't have pets yourself, you have an excuse to visit a friend with pets.
My Own Experience
As I said before, I've been dealing with anxiety for a number of years now. I have found a few things specifically that I've found to consistently work.
- My regular walks;
- Cuddling with my cats and husband;
- Consistent and daily levels of hemp CBD oil taken on a regular basis;
- Higher amounts of hemp CBD oil taken as needed when I'm having a panic attack;
- Regular meditation using my Natural Blends Grounding Blend spray (some people prefer the Stress Reducer spray as it has similar qualities);
- Using my Essential Blends Anxiety Ease Pre-diluted Roll-On as needed.
I'm curious now, what natural remedies YOU have found to be successful in treating your anxiety?
