4 Ways to Naturally Relieve Your Anxiety
Posted on: 2 May 2019
Whether you have a diagnosed anxiety disorder or you simply feel anxious at times, you know how uncomfortable anxiety can feel. Left unchecked, it can disrupt your life and keep you from enjoying outings and hobbies to the fullest. At its worst, anxiety can even prevent you from performing your best at work.
Anxiety medication is an option, but benzodiazepines are addictive, and SSRIs can come with many unwanted side effects. Fortunately, there are natural remedies you can try. Here are a few ways you can relieve your anxiety naturally:
1. Cut caffeine out of your diet.
Caffeine is great to give you a little boost of energy. Unfortunately, it is a stimulant that can mimic the physical effects of adrenaline in your body. In people prone to anxiety, this can lead to panic attacks. Cutting caffeine out entirely may be all you need to improve your anxiety symptoms. If you have to have a little caffeine to get started in the morning, consider strictly limiting your consumption. Switching to black tea instead of coffee can deliver a smaller amount of caffeine. If you must have coffee, stick to one cup only.
2. Try CBD hemp flower.
Medical marijuana has a healing effect on various ailments. The active compounds in this plant are cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol, abbreviated as CBD and THC, respectively. While cannabis flower high in THC can sometimes increase anxiety, CBD has shown itself to be very effective at soothing anxiety symptoms, according to Leafly. Talk to your doctor about obtaining a prescription for CBD hemp flower.
3. Exercise at least a few times per week.
Exercise has been proven to relieve anxiety symptoms. Keep in mind that vigorous exercise is most effective, so try to do exercise that leaves you out of breath. Running is a great exercise for people suffering from anxiety, as long as you're healthy enough to do so. Exercise has the added benefit of tiring you out, so you'll be able to get a better night's sleep as well.
4. Practice breathing exercises.
When people experience anxiety, often their breathing speeds up as their heart rate increases. Unfortunately, this quickened breathing pattern can reinforce and exacerbate the symptoms of anxiety. The next time you feel yourself growing anxious, take note of your breath and make a conscious effort to slow it down. Take deep breaths in and out for at least one full minute. By the time the minute is over, you may find that you feel better.
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