15 Natural Remedies for Anxiety

For someone who has never experienced an anxiety attack, it is difficult to understand how a person who has gone through it feels. In the minds of the sufferers, there is the always a fear of another anxiety or panic attack and its symptoms like difficulty in breathing, chest pain, sweating, and confusion, etc. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is quite common and mostly affects teenagers and young adults who constantly worry about academics or work. A psychiatrist can effectively treat the condition and counsel you on how to overcome anxiety. Since the disorder takes plenty of time to be corrected, popping pills regularly isn’t a great idea. Medication to calm the nerves can sometimes have other implications and it is advisable that you move to home remedies for anxiety gradually. There are great remedies that are all-natural and safe. So get rid of the medication and try these natural anxiety remedies to live a better life.

15 Natural Remedies For Anxiety

1. Chamomile Tea

One of the most popular natural anxiety remedies ever. The moment you feel the symptoms of an attack, brew a cuppa of this delicious tea and see how it calms you down. Chamomile flowers or supplements contain soothing compounds that work the way a valium pill does but without the side-effects or risk of addiction.

2. Say No To Caffeine

Coffee is a great relaxing beverage but at the same time works the other way round for some people. Instead of alerting the brain or killing sleepiness, it can bring jitters and trigger an anxiety attack. The same caffeine found in chocolate, sodas, tea and other beverages too is dangerous. Avoid all caffeine foods and see how it works.

3. Green Tea

Replacing caffeine with green tea is a great option for people with GAD. Green tea is studded with antioxidants and amino acids that calm down the nerves and help you relax. Such tea also improves blood flow to the brain and lessens blood pressure. So, the more green tea you drink, the better for you!

4. Working Out

Exercising regularly is a powerful way to treat generalized anxiety disorder and depression. When you jog, run or walk, the body produces heat which in turn controls the neural circuits that play a key role in deciding our mood. Regular physical activity keeps the brain healthy and alleviates anxiety.

5. Consume L-Lysine Supplements

Most commonly found in fish, beans, and meat, the amino acid L-lysine is a building block of our brain’s neurotransmitters. When the brain receives enough L-lysine, it reduces stress and anxiety and keeps the brain under control. You can also ask your doctor for L-lysine supplements and seek guidance about their usage.

6. Yoga And Meditation

Two forms of exercises that are excellent for the brain are yoga and meditation. Since many years, for now, they have been known to help calm and relax all the senses in the body. Join a yoga class as it is wonderfully effective in reducing stress and anxiety or you can also try meditating in silence to get rid of stress and panic symptoms.

7. Drink Plenty Of Water

Dehydration of the body can sometimes lead to unknown anxiety and panic like attacks because the body doesn’t receive enough oxygen through water. Afraid of visiting the washroom frequently, some of us stop drinking water. That can be harmful to the brain. Set an alarm every hour and remind yourself to drink water. You can also add a dash of lemon or orange to make the water flavourful.

8. No Skipping Breakfast

Many people who suffer from anxiety attacks are the ones who miss the first meal of the day and this is a strict no-no! You should eat breakfast every day and shouldn’t just be done with a cup of coffee or milk. Breakfast based on cereals and eggs contains plenty of choline that fights with the symptoms of anxiety. Make meals around such foods and help your brain prevent an attack.

9. Breathing Exercise

Did you know that breathing exercises can help lower your level of anxiety by a high percentage? Breathe in slowly and hold your breath for a second or two. Breathe out slowly again but through your mouth. You will be amazed at how much calmer and relaxed you feel after you repeat this exercise 3 to 5 times.

10. Eating Anxiety Alleviating Foods

One of the best natural anxiety remedies is to eat foods that prevent attacks. Blueberries, peaches, citrus fruits, dark chocolate, oats, whole grains, eggs, and milk contain vitamins and antioxidants that lower cortisol, the stress hormone and help you relax. Staying away from caffeine and indulging in these foods works well for you.

11. Epsom Salt Bath

A hot water bath is something we all crave for when we are tired. Add a little Epsom salt to the bath and you can be sure of the relaxation that follows. Epsom salt granules contain magnesium that has been proven to reduce blood pressure and relieve anxiety. You can also add lavender oil or any other essential aromatic oils to make it a complete bath.

12. Maintain A Positive Attitude

An unhappy life and negative attitude can make matters worse. A constant feeling of ‘this might happen’ or ‘that can happen’ can rob you off from a happy living. Worry, guilt, sickness, fear and always imaging bad things that will happen to you will definitely result in panic and anxiety attacks. Worry is the biggest enemy of our brain. Do not let unhappy or disturbing thoughts to crop up in your mind. Look for ways to stay happy and be content with what you have.

13. Sit Under The Sun

Sunlight is one of the most powerful home remedies for anxiety. Just after the sun rises, sit under the warm light and spend some time alone. The vitamin D you receive from the sun fights against symptoms of anxiety and stress and keeps the brain healthy. Stay away from harsh light. Any time before 8 AM should be good enough.

14. Start An Anxiety Self-Help Group

Millions of people on this planet suffer from this crazy anxiety disorder. If you look around, you will find many of your friends or colleagues too trying to get rid of anxiety. Create a self-help group along with them and discuss how to overcome anxiety. Exchange ideas and help others also to cope up with the problem. This will definitely make you feel better because you are not alone.

15. Develop A Hobby

With a 24/7 busy schedule, we often neglect our favorite activities and interests. We forget talking to our family members, hobbies, reading, and other favorite pastimes. Develop a hobby and give it some time. Painting, reading, gardening or any other activity that is close to your heart will help you divert your mind away from negative thoughts and helps your brain heal faster.