Stress and anxiety are common problems in our fast-paced world. Work, social media and the demands of keeping up with a busy life can make any of us feel stressed out and anxious. Managing stress can be tricky, and many people may be reluctant to seek medical treatment for anxiety. There are some natural ways to help you to manage stress and anxiety more effectively, whether alone or alongside traditional medicine.
- Exercise. Exercise is one of the most effective ways of reducing stress. Exercise releases endorphins, which is a natural mood booster. Whatever exercise you enjoy, whether its walking, a yoga class, jogging, or a dance class, find something that makes you feel good. Doing something like this for yourself can also be a great way to clear your head and get some alone time to let go of some stress and worries.
- Meditation can be a great tool to reduce stress too. Spend some time sitting quietly and focusing on your breathing. Clear your mind and relax. You can try guided meditation through apps or online guides to help you get the hang of meditation, as it can be tricky to start with for beginners. When you get the hang of the breathing, you can use it in your daily life to help you calm down if you feel anxiety creeping in.
- CBD hemp extract. CBD is becoming a very popular tool for wellness, and it is helping some anxiety sufferers to make symptoms more manageable. It’s important to only buy high quality hemp extract, so shop carefully if you decide to try this. CBD doesn’t contain THC, so won’t make you high. It can be bought without prescription from healthcare shops.
- Relaxation exercises. If you’re tense, you’re probably holding your muscles tense, which can become very uncomfortable and cause some pain. To release this tension, try some relaxation exercises. Tense each muscle group in turn and then release it to ease that tense feeling and let go of some stress.
- Journalling. Keeping a diary or a journal can be useful. We all know we should talk about our worries, but this isn’t always easy. If you find it hard to express anxieties, try writing them down. Sit down with a notebook and write down however you feel. Getting your worries down on paper can help to put them into perspective. You can also use journaling to focus you onto more positive things. If you feel down, take a few minutes to write a quick list of things that made you happy during the day. This could be anything, from seeing your children, to not hitting any traffic on your drive home from work.
- Aromatherapy. Good smelling essential oils can make you feel more relaxed and less stressed. Lavender is a classic choice for this, and for good reason. The scent is soothing, and can be helpful to help you deal with insomnia, which is a common side effect of stress.
- Time management. Having too much on your plate is never going to help you to manage stress or anxiety. If you’re finding your schedule overwhelming, you can try some time management strategies. Breaking large tasks into smaller chunks can really help. Productivity techniques like the Pomodoro Method can help to make tasks seem more manageable by breaking them into smaller chunks of time, with only one thing to focus on at a time.
- Herbal teas. If you like a cup of tea, but find caffeine can make you more feel more agitated, why not try an herbal tea instead? The process of making a cup of tea can be relaxing in itself, and drinking something warm can be soothing. Some herbal teas are known for relaxing properties, like chamomile, as they reduce levels of cortisol, which causes stress.
- Herbal supplements. If you find herbal teas helpful, you could try some supplements. Different supplements may help different people, so try a few if you’re interested in this method. Make sure you get advice from your doctor before you start taking anything new, especially if you are on any medication. Some supplements will interact badly with medicines, so always check.
- Spend time with animals. A pet can offer companionship and support. Interacting with an animal can be very helpful for reducing anxiety. Caring for something else can be a helpful way to take your mind off your own worries, and give you something else to think about. You could try spending time with dogs, cats, horses, small mammals or whatever animal appeals to you.
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