7 Natural Ways To Calm Anxiety

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, over 18% of the American population struggles with some form of anxiety at any given time. Coping with anxiety can be complicated, especially since there’s no single treatment that works for everyone. So, let’s talk about 7 completely natural ways that you can calm your anxiety today.

1. Meditation & Deep Breathing

Anxiety attacks and persistent anxiety typically come with the same few symptoms. You may notice that your heart rate is twice as fast as normal, that your blood pressure has skyrocketed, and that thoughts are racing through your mind at lightning speed.

Meditation and deep breathing techniques can help you to relieve both the mental and physical symptoms of anxiety. Concentrating on your breathing will bring you back to the present moment and slow your thoughts. And, according to Harvard Health, meditation can also reduce your blood pressure, lower your heart rate, and improve your heart health.

So, start off with a brief 2-minute deep breathing meditation session and begin lengthening your sessions as you become accustomed to meditation.

Another form of meditation is meditating on scripture. Read a verse or chapter from the bible, close your eyes and dwell on how it pertains to you. The Psalms are great for this as they are songs mainly written to offer thanksgiving and praise to our creator.

2. Aromatherapy

The essential oils industry in America is booming these days, but these oils might be able to do a little more than make your home smell pleasant. Simply smelling these essential oils through aromatherapy can potentially reduce your symptoms of stress and anxiety.

And, research has revealed that essential oils like lemon, lavender, and rose are most effective for anxious people. All you have to do is squeeze a few drops of your favorite into an essential oil diffuser or in the bathtub and give yourself some time to relax and enjoy the scents!

Note: Some essential oils must be mixed with carrier oils if you’re planning to use them on your skin. Be sure to read the label before using your essential oil.

3. Intense Exercise

The last thing you want to do when you’re anxious is strap on your running shoes and go for a run, but it might just be the best thing for relieving your anxiety during the moment. That’s because exercise can help you to naturally improve your mood, get rid of pent-up energy, and help you to sleep much better at night. Which is great if you have insomnia.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America states that just about any style of exercise can be successful when it comes to calming anxiety. So, go for a long walk along the canal, lift weights in your living room, follow along with a yoga video, or even play fetch with your dog.

Exercise is great for treating and preventing anxiety, so do your best to get at least 20 minutes of exercise each day. An additional benefit is that the exercise may help reduce your chances of getting Alzheimer’s Disease.

4. Laugh & Smile

When your mind is racing and negative thoughts have taken over, it’s hard to stay positive and express emotions like happiness or joy. But according to the Mayo Clinic, laughter has the ability to improve your mood and relieve the physical tension in your body as well.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good like a medicine.

So, when you’re feeling anxious, do something that makes you smile. That can be anything from watching your favorite TV show or a funny clip on YouTube, to gardening, to spending time playing with children or pets in the yard. You do what makes you happy.

5. Limit Caffeine Intake

Have you ever had a few too many cups of coffee (or energy drinks) and gotten the jitters? Maybe it felt like your heart was pounding in your chest and like your mind wouldn’t slow down. That’s because high levels of caffeine can mimic the effects of anxiety. That means caffeine and anxiety is a terrible combination for your mental state.

If you’re predisposed to high levels of anxiety, it’s best to avoid caffeine altogether. However, caffeine may be okay in moderation, such as a few cups of coffee in the morning each day. Just be sure you’re not drinking it too close to bedtime to avoid sleep difficulties.

The Sleep Foundation recommends no caffeinated beverages within 6 hours of bedtime. We are all different. It may not bother you, or it may, and you just haven’t pinpointed the culprit yet.

6. Listen to upbeat Music

Whether you are rocking out to the oldies or waving your arms to worship music, benefits are to be had. Dancing is great exercise and singing along to a song can lift your spirits. It’s hard to stay anxious when you are singing along to a favorite song.

7. Enjoy a hot tub or sauna

If you don’t own a hot tub or have a sauna available, you can still soak in a hot bath. For added benefit, play soft, relaxing music, dim the lights, add lavender essential oil to the water, and perhaps light a few candles. Sip on your favorite cold beverage and just chill.

Final Thoughts

Since there’s no “one size fits all” for treating anxiety, you may have to experiment with different coping strategies to see what works best for you. Make sure that the ways you try to calm your anxiety are healthy and don’t involve drugs and alcohol. Understand that anxiety is complex, and it could take practice to see significant results.