Natural Anxiety Control: What Works?
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If you deal with anxiety, you’re not alone. Many people in the United States live with both general anxiety and diagnosed anxiety disorders. If you find that your anxiety is starting to affect your daily life, it may be time to take action to find something new that works well for you.
There are many reasons why some people choose to stay away from pharmaceutical methods of controlling anxiety. Perhaps you’ve had a bad experience with anti-anxiety medications before, or perhaps you have other health conditions that prevent you from being able to take medications that work well for anxiety. Some people simply prefer to try natural methods before trying medicine for anxiety.
Here, we’ll take a look at some of the most common natural anxiety control methods that can help you conquer your anxiety and worry and move forward with your life.
Table of Contents
Supplements
1. Magnesium
Many people are deficient in magnesium, and without a doctor-ordered lab test, you’d never know it. Magnesium affects mood and other aspects of brain health and supplementing to ensure that your body has healthy levels of magnesium can positively affect your mental health.
2. CBD Oil
CBD oil is the new coconut oil — it seems like it can help anything and everything. If you don’t already have CBD oil in your medicine cabinet, it may be time to add it to your anxiety arsenal. You’ll have quite a few options when deciding what kind of CBD oil makes the most sense for you. Whether you prefer gummies, a tincture, or items that have CBD baked in, a dispensary can help you understand the type of CBD that will be the best option for your anxiety. Reach out to your local New Jersey dispensary for more information about the CBD options that could be a good fit for you.
3. Passionflower
If you suffer from anxiety, you know that sometimes you need immediate relief — and passionflower supplements can help. Native Americans have used passionflower as a sedative for centuries, and many people find that it’s also helpful for anxiety, insomnia, and pain. Most people who use passionflower consume the plant in extract form, but topical lotions and oils may be an option as well.
4. Rhodiola
Rhodiola is an adaptogen, meaning it’s a part of a class of plants that helps the body manage stressors. Rhodiola has been used as a natural stress reliever for a long time, and many people today use it to manage anxiety and support overall health.
Be sure to check in with your doctor before adding supplements or changing your current medications. Remember, it may take some time to figure out the right combination of supplements that works for your body. Keep your physician in the loop as you experiment to discover what type of supplementation works best to curb your anxiety.
Lifestyle Changes
1. Meditation
If you struggle to stay quiet with your thoughts, it can be tough to consider meditation as an option to help you manage your anxiety. Thankfully, there are many options that can help you start small and work your way up to regular meditation practice. Apps like Calm can guide you through the meditation process, helping you focus on calming your mind without judging the thoughts that flow in and out as you meditate.
2. Consider cutting sugar.
We know, we know — sweets are delicious, and it’s natural to turn to sugar for a quick pick-me-up when you’re feeling anxious or down. Many people who are living with anxiety find that cutting down on sugar can make it easier to feel even throughout the day. Bonus: when you cut down on sugar, you’ll likely find that you sleep better, making it easier for you to manage your anxiety throughout the day.
3. Talk it out.
When you experience anxiety regularly, it’s possible that something in your life is not quite serving you, and a therapist may be able to help you figure out how to make changes that positively affect your mental health. Many people find that a combination of medication (or natural supplements) and therapy can help ease the strain of anxiety. You may want to talk with your primary care doctor to get a recommendation and/or a referral for a psychologist or counselor in your area who can help you develop strategies to manage your anxiety.
4. Stop procrastinating.
It’s easy to put things off when you’re feeling anxious, but checking items off of your to-do list — even those that make your heart pound (like making phone calls or having difficult conversations) — can help your anxiety take a backseat. If you have tasks that you haven’t gotten around to because of anxiety, asking a friend to keep you accountable to get them done can help you move forward.
