3 Ways to Naturally Relieve Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are the two feelings that people have at both emotional extremes, and everywhere in between. Meaning, that when you’re extremely happy you can be stressed as well as when you’re extremely sad or mad. Just because happy events and times in your life are also stressful and anxiety-inducing doesn’t mean you should have a negative outlook or memory of them however. Changing jobs or getting married are both extremely positive life events that most people look forward to, however, that doesn’t mean that either event is stress-free. In fact, some might argue that they can be some of the most stressful times in your life. In addition, sad times can also be stressful, such as when a beloved pet or loved one passes away.

The point here isn’t that we should be avoiding any and every situation that causes stress, because if we did that we’d be avoiding any life event that wasn’t simply watching a rom-com on the television. The point, instead, is to recognize that no matter what, chances are, that we’re going to encounter and have stress and anxiety in our lives. It may be to different levels for different people and it may look and present itself in different ways to different people.

Those people, in return, may even handle it differently, in fact they will almost certainly handle it differently as no two stresses are quite the same, just like no two coping mechanisms are quite the same. However while no two coping mechanisms are quite the same, many do have similar themes and tools that help people to cope with everyday stresses. Like with mental health as a whole, it’s always best to see a professional, should you feel too overwhelmed or like your stress and anxiety is beyond what you’re comfortable with, however, if you’re simply going through some stressful times and looking for ways to cope and relieve some of that stress and anxiety, try some of these natural methods first.

1. Diet and Exercise

This may seem like the most obvious and simple remedy, however, it’s also the one most overlooked. In a world where you can get a triple shot of espresso, a deep fried burger, and a beer at the same place, it’s of the utmost importance that you look into your diet and exercise first when dealing with stress and anxiety. While drinking a coffee might not stress you out, it could be exacerbating and irritating the stress that is already there or causing there to be more of it, when normally there wouldn’t be. The same goes for greasy food and especially for alcohol. Alcohol is a natural depressant, meaning it will mess with your mood and stress you out even more than caffeine.

On the other hand, we have exercise. Exercise is something that, if you’re not getting enough of it, you should definitely consider doing more, as it can be a fantastic stress reliever. Not only will it release natural ‘happy’ endorphins that promote happiness and relaxation, it will also give you confidence and promote your physical well-being as well. It also allows you to separate yourself from daily problems, worries, and people. It’s a healthy way to find thirty-minutes to an hour of time just for yourself. This can be more and more valuable as you age as family time, time spent at work, and time spent with your spouse will begin to take up more of your time day in and day out and you will have less and less ‘me-time’. Finding time for exercise means finding time for your self and your own well-being.

2. Herbs and Supplements

While no one wants to be on serious medication if they don’t have to be day-in and day-out, it’s important to realize when stress and anxiety have reached the level of this being necessary, as prescribed by a doctor or licensed therapist. However, if you simply experience an uptick in stress and anxiety here and there, say when certain issues or events arise at work and are looking for ways to combat those spikes, finding natural herbs and supplements that work for you can be a great way to help to mitigate those times of high stress and anxiety. If you haven’t already, try one of these great at-home remedies for reducing stress and anxiety:

• Lavender oil—you can use this in a diffuser, adding a few drops of the essential oil to a bath, or even simply burning a lavender-scented candle.

• CBD Oil—CBD oil isn’t too different from lavender oil other than it being way stronger, meaning better at relieving stress and it usually is more effective when ingested. Take some via pill, tincture, or even in coconut oil form to relax after a long day.

• Chamomile or Green tea—both very well known for being stress relievers, however, a key tip, make sure the green tea you get is caffeine-free. Caffeine will do the opposite of relaxing and destress you.

3. Improve your Sleep

This one, like diet and exercise, it also extremely simple. This difference is that this one is extremely different in name alone but can be extremely hard in practice. At some point, it’s hard to tell whether you’re having trouble sleeping because you’re anxious, or you’re anxious because you can’t sleep. The first step is to improve your sleep environment! The most efficient way is to choose a fan that fits your needs. The benefits of sleeping with a fan are great. They create white noise, keep your room ventilated, and keeps the temperature optimal for restful sleep. Don’t let stress and anxiety keep you up all night. Although, sometimes you need to see a specialist to help you find a treatment plan best for you.