These 7 All-Natural Anxiety Remedies Actually Work

Anxiety is a terrible feeling that can cripple your day (or week) instantly. When you're in the grips of a stressful spiral it can feel isolating and very lonely, even though all of us are bound to experience this dreaded feeling at one time or another in our lives. Anxious thoughts can grip you tightly and make it difficult to get on with your daily activities and responsibilities, and it's easy to let your self-care routine slip because all you feel like doing is hiding under your blanket. Of course, a GP should be the first place you turn if stress and anxiety is out of control, however there are plenty of all-natural remedies that you can try yourself to get your sleep routine and mental and physical wellbeing back on track again.

Meditation

Meditation, whether it's in a guided setting or simply a few minutes of deep breathing alone in the morning, is a practice that many people swear by to battle their anxious thoughts. Focusing on your breath and body is a good way to refocus your energy and look within to reset your emotions. If you're having trouble focusing, there are heaps of apps that are designed to help.

Limiting alcohol

It's interesting that something that can help us to calm our nerves and give us the confidence to dance the night away can also lead to worse anxiety than we started with. Alcohol changes levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain and might be the reason that you feel so down the day after a few drinks. While it's tempting to rely on a nightly tipple to wind down, it's important to consider possible side effects as well.

Exercise

Regular exercise is beneficial to us in countless different ways and is an amazing way to boost your mood as well as keep your body functioning at its best. Exercising produces endorphins in your brain which can give you energy, help you fall asleep and reduce stress. When you're in the depths of anxiety it can be hard to imagine moving your body, but even a short walk around the block will help you to clear your mind.

Acupuncture

We've been believers in the power of acupuncture for a while now, and even interviewed an expert on this very topic. As Lauren Curtain mentions in the post, there are two branches of the nervous system, with the parasympathetic state relating to rest, digestion and calm. When you receive an acupuncture treatment it can help your body move to a parasympathetic state which will allow your body to have a break from stress.

Digital detoxing

I don't know about you, but my phone is a walking notification. From emails to reminders and social media, it can be overwhelming to keep up with everything going on in the digital sphere. A way to combat anxiety and stress is to silence some of the unnecessary notifications that can shift your focus from your goals and intentions. Remember, you're allowed to unfollow anyone whose posts you don't enjoy.

Essential Oils

Aromatherapy and essential oils have long been touted as an all-natural anxiety remedy. Our sense of smell can affect our brain in amazing ways, with scent transporting us to past memories of people and places and can relax our mind without us knowing it. I personally use an aroma diffuser before bed every night to help to calm my mind and help me drift off to sleep. Scents like lavender and chamomile are a great place to start.

Massage

Because your brain and your body are naturally connected, treating yourself to a massage by a professional is a great way to deal with stress and anxiety. A massage treatment can even help you drift off and achieve a deeper sleep which is something that can suffer as a result of negative feelings.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call 000.

If you are concerned about your health, wellbeing or sleep, your first port of call should be your GP, who will advise a correct treatment plan.

If you enjoyed this, check out what happens to your brain when you declutter.