Anxiety is something most of us deal with at one point or another, but when it starts to interfere with your daily life, it can feel overwhelming. While medication can be effective for some, it often comes with unwanted side-effects and can take time to work. Luckily, there are natural alternatives that can help you find anxiety relief without the wait or hassle. From getting more sleep to taking brisk walks, simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference in how you manage anxiety. Read on for our top tips to calm your mind, boost your mood, and get back to feeling like yourself!
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is your body’s natural response to stress, but for many, it becomes overwhelming and can interfere with your daily life. Symptoms can include a racing heart, difficulty focusing, restlessness, and physical discomfort.
Anxiety affects millions of people worldwide, yet finding relief can often feel like a challenge. According to Forbes Health, Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the United States, affecting 40 million adults or 19.1% of the population.
There are many different types of medications for anxiety relief, however, with the long list of medications also comes a long list of unwanted side-effects. And the cherry on top? It can take weeks for the medication to take effect and it is possible that the first one you try won’t be the one for you. Making the whole process incredibly time-consuming and costly.
5 Natural Solutions for Anxiety Relief
While medication works for some, others are turning to more natural solutions for anxiety relief to avoid the long list of side-effects. Here are a few anxiety-reducing alternative solutions to consider:
1.) Exercising Regularly
This could be as simple as taking a walk. Cardiovascular exercise has been shown to lower stress levels and anxiety all while improving the immune system. A 10-minute brisk walk can provide several hours of relief. So get up and get moving!
2.) Getting Plenty of Sleep
It’s important to get 6-8 hours of quality sleep every night. You can do this by going to bed and waking up at the same time, avoiding bright screens 1-2 hours before bed, and getting plenty of sunlight throughout the day and more!
3.) Practicing Relaxation Techniques
Yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises can all help reduce anxiety and keep you calm. Yoga is one of the top 10 alternative practices used to treat a plethora of disorders, anxiety and depression included.
4.) Drinking More Water
Staying hydrated is essential to a healthy mind and a healthy body. Water has been shown to have natural calming properties, likely due to addressing the effects of dehydration on both the body and the brain.
5.) Cold Therapy / Cold Plunges
Exposure to cold temperatures during a cold plunge has been linked to a variety of health benefits outside of just mental health benefits. For example, cold plunges can:
- Speed up metabolism
- Reduce inflammation and swelling
- Improve quality of sleep
- Keep you more focused
- Improve immune response
As mentioned previously, getting quality sleep and practicing relaxation techniques can help with lowering anxiety levels, and it starts to become apparent that a lot of these things overlap with one another. Thus, doing a cold plunge can actually help with achieving some of the lifestyle changes suggested above.
How it works: exposure to the cold increases production of the neurotransmitter called norepinephrine (which deals in focus, attention, and mood), resulting in producing a feeling of calm and happiness which can help mitigate feelings of anxiety and depression.
Bonus Solution
GoPatch’s Anxious Relief Patch – a natural, homeopathic solution designed to target anxiousness right when you need it most. Our patch is easy to use and free of side-effects—making it a great addition to your toolkit!
When it comes to easing anxiety, you don’t always have to reach for medication. Why not try some natural, feel-good alternatives? From getting your body moving with a quick walk, to catching those all important Z’s, simple tweaks can make a huge difference. And hey, if you’re feeling brave, a cold plunge might just boost your mood and give you that extra edge! These little lifestyle changes don’t just help with anxiety—they can seriously upgrade your overall vibe.
Time to stress less and feel your best!
Sources:
Alternative Treatments for Anxiety | Healthline
Anxiety Statistics and Facts | Forbes Health
Exercise for Health and Anxiety Relief | Anxiety & Depression Association of America
Cold Exposure (Ice Plunge) | Mental Health Center of America
