3 Ways to Naturally Stress Less and Calm Your Anxious Mind

Healthline is a website that offers “… health and wellness advice that’s inclusive and rooted in medical expertise”. On the subject of anxiety, they have more than a little bit to say. They are quick to remind us that anxiety is common for a lot of us because of the busy world we live in. It’s not all bad, either.

It’s a way to alert you to possible dangers. Anxiety can push you to higher productivity levels because you prepare to avoid a negative outcome. When it occurs regularly, it can cause a lot of damage in every area of your life. Here are a few ways Healthline recommends naturally alleviating anxiety and stress so they don’t become panic disorder or something else equally troubling.

1 – Stay Active, Get Moving

Physical activity leads to physical health. You already know this. Did you also know that regular exercise can be used to treat people with anxiety disorders? That’s one of the findings of a study titled “Effects of Exercise and Physical Activity on Anxiety.”

When you find yourself experiencing anxious thoughts, look at your activity level. Are you physically up and moving around, or are you sitting still? If you are sedentary, get up and get moving. Raising your heart rate makes more space in your brain for anxiety-fighting neurochemicals such as serotonin, endocannabinoids, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GBA).

2 – Limit Your Exposure to Alcohol and Tobacco

While it’s true that alcohol is a natural sedative that helps you relax, getting too much of it into your body can have the opposite effect. Higher levels of alcohol can cause your body and mind to stress out. The same is true with tobacco.

We already know that smoking can be potentially deadly long-term and cause many unhealthy short-term effects. This is due in part to the nicotine and other chemicals in many cigarettes that actually connect with pathways in your brain that are linked to anxiety.

3 – Cut back on the caffeine

Excessive caffeine consumption can lead to an anxiety disorder. Since caffeine is so good at altering your brain chemistry so you are more alert, drinking too many cups of coffee can give you the jitters.

Caffeine is a proven anxiety booster if you get too much into your body. Drink less coffee, tea, and energy drinks. See if that doesn’t help you reduce your feelings of anxiety.

Medications are available over the counter and by prescription to help you alleviate anxiety. Seek a therapist if you feel more comfortable in that situation rather than turning to medicine. You can also address anxiety with the natural methods we just discussed. They can help you handle your anxiety so it has the smallest possible impact on your life.