RELAXATION

9 NATURAL REMEDIES TO COMBAT ANXIETY

Having anxiety in your life can make situations very stressful to deal with most of the times. Anxiety is a feeling of worry or uneasiness, usually about a forthcoming event or something with an uncertain outcome. Some of us want to take the natural path to curing anxiety, instead of being dependent on medication. There are various safe remedies which can be followed in order to reduce levels of anxiety, and if followed properly over time, one may even be able to eliminate anxiety from their lives.

1. Anxiety comes through feelings, and feelings can be controlled to a certain extent. Some people have anxiety because they lock up their feelings inside of them, and there is no ventilation. Talk to someone you trust about your worries, or talk to a professional, but always make sure you are releasing the feeling of worry. If you are not comfortable talking to people, then grab a pen and a journal, and start writing about your feelings. Because you are directing your feelings externally, you will definitely feel lighter at heart and less stressed in mind.
    
2. Sweat your anxiety out. Unwind at a sauna or a steam room can help with easing anxiety. Because the heat and steam will open up pores and lower muscle tension and anxiety according to research. Feeling of warmth is commonly linked with a sense of calmness and wellbeing. You could even get cozy by curling up by the fireplace and a hot cup of tea, which is an instant energy boost, but always remember to stay warm. Even a warm bath would help calm feelings of anxiety down because of the temperature of the water. It's even more effective when you add some essential oils, to benefit from aromatherapy.
    
3. Take a nice walk by nature like the Japanese. This natural Japanese therapy towards treating anxiety is called "Shirin Yoku" (A.k.a. Forest bath), is known to have positive effects on the mind and body. What you need to do is walk by the woods and feel the peace derived from surrounding yourself with nature. The Japanese viewed spending quiet time at the woods as a great medicine. Attentively absorbing the aroma of the damp woods and hearing the sound of leaves crunching and listening to water gush from a running stream can result in decreased levels of anxiety, stress and blood pressure. Spending just 15 minutes in the woods can significantly ease anxiety and increase energy according to scientists and Chiba University, Japan. Frequent forest bathers have lower stress hormone levels than those who usually take walks in an urban area.
    
4. Question yourself. Sit in a comfortable position and place, close your eyes and be mindful about your actions and question yourself as you follow your breath. In your head, ask questions to yourself while focusing on breathing. You can ask questions like, "What is the temperature of the air entering my system?", "How does my breath feel as it leaves my body?" and "How does the air feel filling up my lungs?".
    
5. Drink herbal tea. There are some herbs and flowers which contain natural sedative properties known to ease and treat anxiety and induce a feeling of calmness and tranquility. Chamomile, Melissa Officinalis, Passion flower and green tea are some of the best teas for comforting anxiety. One of the most popular teas to treat symptoms of anxiety is Chamomile tea. Along with the many benefits chamomile tea has, relaxing the muscles and reducing irritability are some of them. Melissa Officinalis tea, more commonly known as lemon balm tea is a calming herbal tea, it decreases cortisol(stress hormone) without making you feel drowsy. Passionflower tea has anti-anxiety benefits because of the flavones chrysin present in it, and it also contains natural sedative properties. (Keep in mind to avoid this tea if you take any other sedative medications). Green tea contains micronutrients called polyphenols, which help combat anxiety and stress.
    
6. Follow a non-medicinal therapy. Few non-medicinal therapies include yoga, meditation and deep breathing. Most of these therapies are easy to do and are convenient (can be done within the comfort of your home, and your bed). Yoga is a practice that combines the mind and body, it infuses mental and physical disciplines that will help achieve the peacefulness the mind and body need. There are various forms of yoga, which can be differentiated by styles, intensity and postures, so choose a form you are most comfortable with. Yoga helps alleviate anxiety by enhancing mood and directing energy and positive to flow to the right areas. Doing yoga also promotes calmness and peace, because of its structure. Sometimes we have racing thoughts that don't go. A great way to treat this would be through meditation. Meditation is to engage in mental exercise for the purpose of reaching an elevated level of awareness. Meditating helps you overcome these racing thoughts by quieting the hyperactive mind. Instead of giving into worrying thoughts, you can begin with identifying the silence that exists between every mental action. Researchers have found mindfulness to be an effective tool when trying to subside worrying thoughts that lead to anxiousness.
    
7. Reflexology has been proven as a safe and successful method to alleviate stress. Doing reflexology is very beneficial for treating anxiety because there are certain pressure points in our body which can be pressed to release tension stress and anxiety. Reflexology is not a massage, but the application of pressure to areas on the feet, hands and ears. These areas are said to correspond to the rest of our organs in our body. The acupressure calms your mind by relaxing your body, stabilizes your heart beat and stimulates blood circulation.
    
8. Breathing in lavender can help calm anxiety and stress down. There was a study which found that people who were massaged with lavender oil had lower anxiety then people who had a lavender-free massage. Lavender massage can reduce systolic pressure, which is the top blood pressure number that is linked to stress. You can even apply a few drops of lavender oil directly onto your skin. Inhaling lavender oil helps alleviate anxiety.
    
9. Go out in the sun more often, because it an anxiety healer! It is one of the best ways to increase Vitamin D. Having higher levels of Vitamin D will result in lower symptoms of anxiety and depression.