Have you been stressed lately or feeling anxious? You’re not alone. Life can be hard, and sometimes our worries can take over. But you don’t have to sink in worry when there are effective ways to calm your emotions and help with your stress and anxiety. We’re not talking about your favorite whiskey or wine sessions; these will just make it worse by having you deal with hangovers later on—talk of real natural remedies.
Natural Remedies for Stress and Anxiety
Are you experiencing signs of stress like headaches, chest pains, hair loss, mood swings, fatigue, reduced libido, chest pain, and more? Try out these 7 natural remedies that do not need much investment to keep you confident, energetic, happy, and unstressed.
Learn Mind-Calming Techniques
Our minds can be very busy with many thoughts at once. Therefore, learning to calm your thoughts is an important skill to have. How do you calm your mind? Meditation.
Meditation is a good way to quiet your mind. You don’t need to sit for hours or say special words. Start with just minutes a day. Find a room where it’s quiet—sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. When the thoughts come (and they will), let them pass by.
You can also practice mindfulness. This means paying attention to what’s happening right now. Feel your feet on the floor, pay attention to the taste of your food, or listen to the sounds around you. Focusing on the present makes the worries about the future or past start to become less important.
Apart from meditation, scientists have also found that cannabidiol, popularly known as CBD, has the potential to relieve stress and related behaviors such as anxiety by enhancing the endocannabinoid system. This is the system that communicates to the brain to regulate stress. Many studies are ongoing to determine the real potential of CBD products in not only stress relief but other mental disorders such as PTSD, insomnia, and bipolar disease.
Get Outside and Enjoy Nature
A walk in the park can make you feel better when you’re stressed or anxious. That’s because nature is good at reducing stress. Here are some reasons you should get outside and enjoy nature. Fresh air is good for your brain. It’s like giving your brain a break. When you’re outside, you’re also moving around, which is good for your body, too. The sun you get helps your body get vitamin D, which is very important for feeling well.
You can try this: Next time you feel stressed or anxious, take a 15-minute walk outside. Look at the trees, listen to the birds, or remove your shoes and feel the grass under your feet. You’ll surely feel a mood change. If you don’t have access to a park, sit by a window and look at some plants; it can distract you from your worries and help you view the world around you differently.
Relax with a Calming Drink
Sometimes just drinking something warm can make you feel relaxed. Some drinks that can give you this kind of peace include;
Herbal Teas
Herbal teas like chamomile or lavender are known for their calming effect. They don’t have caffeine, which makes you feel jittery. Or you can do green tea, which has L-theanine, which is associated with alertness and calmness. But be sure to check the caffeine levels if you’re watching how much of it you take, but also warm milk.
Another drink that will help you feel calm is some warm milk. It’s a traditional choice for a reason. It has tryptophan, which makes your body make serotonin—a hormone that improves your mood and relieves stress. If you don’t drink daily, try warm almond milk with a little cinnamon.
Eat Food That Helps You Relax
Some types of food can calm you down. Here are some you should go for anytime you are stressed or have anxiety.
- Dark chocolate: This one has compounds that can lower stress hormones. Even a small piece can help.
- Banana: These have potassium and vitamin B6, which helps make serotonin—the feel-good hormone.
- Salmon or Walnuts: You can eat food high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon or walnuts, which helps reduce stress.
- Carbohydrates: Don’t forget complex carbohydrates like whole grain bread or oatmeal, which helps your brain make serotonin too.
Take Some Deep Breaths
Breathing is a little “tool” you always have with you that you can use to relieve stress, and it’s free. Take slow, deep breaths and listen as your body relaxes. It helps lower your heart rate and blood pressure, making you feel calmer almost right away.
You can do this breathing exercise. Breathe in slowly through your nose for four counts. Hold it for four counts. Then breathe out through your mouth for four counts. Do this a few times when you feel stressed.
Remember to Exercise
Moving your body is very good for reducing stress. Exercise is not just good for your muscles; it’s twice as important for your mind, too. Here’s why.
When you exercise, your body releases endorphins. These are chemicals in your brain that make you feel good and help reduce stress. Plus, when you focus on moving your body, it gives your mind a break from worrying. You don’t need to run a marathon or do heavy weight lifting. A brisk walk, bike ride, or even dancing in your living room goes a long way.
Exercise also helps sleep better, which is another natural remedy for stress and anxiety.
Get Good Sleep
And last but not least, good sleep is another natural remedy for sleep and anxiety.
Sleep allows your body and mind to rest and recover. When you’re well rested, you’re better prepared for stress. Try to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Make your bed a good place to sleep. Keep it dark, quiet, and cool. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on “tempting” weekends. You can use food that can help boost your sleep, too, to achieve quality sleep.
Bottom Line
Dealing with stress doesn’t have to be complicated. When it takes time, you can use these seven natural ways to help reduce stress. Try each one and see what works best for you. Everyone is different, so be patient with yourself. The most important thing is to take care of yourself every day, not just when stress becomes too much.