5 Natural Remedies to Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Many of us face stress in our lives, whether that be a result of an ongoing health issue or simply a hectic schedule. Modern life puts many pressures and demands on each of us, leaving us stressed. Although stress is one of the most common mental health issues, it is often not recognized or addressed as it should be. Chronic stress can be damaging and lead to a whole scope of health issues. Finding a way to wind down and clear your head is vital for your health. That’s why we have compiled a list of our favorite natural solutions for anxiety and stress.

Natural Remedies for Anxiety and Stress

While the list of medications to treat anxiety grows, taking a few simple steps to build calm and stress-relief into our life can make a big difference.

Find Stress Relief through Massage

The mental and physical wellbeing benefits of a massage can work wonders, helping you fully relax and leave your mind much clearer than when you walked in the door. Getting a massage may feel like an indulgence, but it’s clear that a massage both relieves stress and promotes recovery and a positive outlook. Massage therapy reduces cortisol and releases serotonin, making it an important way to combat the negative consequences of stress. Getting a massage will help you feel more calm and relaxed and better equipped to handle what life throws at you.

How Exercise Helps Stress and Anxiety

Often when we are stressed and anxious, it can be the body’s natural reaction to shut down and leave you wanting to crawl into bed and not face reality. You may find yourself wondering, “Does exercise actually reduce stress?” The fact of the matter is that it does. Getting up and moving helps lower the stress hormones circulating in your body and helps bring your mind to focus on the moment rather than all the worries of your day. And the endorphins that bring the “runner’s high” are your body’s response to many different types of exercise, giving you a boost of good feelings after working out. So while it may feel like the last thing you want to do, get up, put on your exercise clothes, and move your body. Whether you head to the local gym, try out a virtual fitness class, or go for a gentle stroll around the neighborhood, release those endorphins and burn off all of that anxious energy!

Pets and Mental Health

Although this may seem like a silly idea, research has shown how spending time with animals can do amazing things for our mental wellbeing. By helping those facing mental issues such as anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder switch off from their thoughts as they play around with animals, the results can be astonishing. Interacting with pets can also lower cortisol and blood pressure, two signs of too much stress. If you don’t have pets of your own, head to your local park, animal shelter, or even local farm, getting involved with grooming or just petting some of the four legged friends.

Don’t Bottle It Up

As cliché as it sounds, a problem shared is a problem halved. Although speaking about your problems can feel like the last thing you want to do, giving voice to your thoughts and feelings is a healthy way to process. Research shows that suppressing emotions can give you a higher risk of dying from any cause. Trapping emotions inside often leads to both physical consequences, like overeating, and physiological changes to brains and bodies that are linked to disease and early death. Confide in a trusted friend, family member, colleague or phone a support line if you’d prefer to remain anonymous, putting your thoughts into perspective and getting the support you need. Seeking help, whether it’s from someone close to you or from a professional, in working through life’s difficulties is an important step for your long-term health.

Heal From the Inside Out

When we are feeling stressed, especially if that is from a busy few days, convenience food becomes our best friend. Although you may not have time to cook hearty, nutritious meals, eating fast food and sugary snacks can make you feel a whole lot worse. Complex carbs, protein, and healthy fats will keep you full longer and keep your blood sugar, and therefore your mood, balanced throughout the day. Some vitamins and minerals promote the production of feel good hormones and support healthy function of the brain and nervous system. Making a conscious effort to consume a balanced diet will really help fuel the brain, getting you the nutrients you need to feel your best from the inside out.