The regular stresses of life can build up and snowball into full-blown anxiety attacks that cripple your ability to function normally. Fortunately, plenty of ways are available to reduce stress and anxiety naturally that don’t put you in harm’s way in the process. The most effective way to reduce stress and anxiety naturally is to avoid or eliminate common sources of stress, such as daily negative interactions or financial problems. Below are some natural ways to help you reduce stress and anxiety.
Focus on Your Diet
If you want to reduce stress in your life, you must eat nutritiously. When you eat junk food, your body produces stress hormones that wreak havoc on your overall health. These foods also deprive your body of the nutrients it needs for overall well-being. Once you cut these ingredients out of your diet, try adding fresh fruits and vegetables for natural doses of antioxidants.
Get Enough Sleep
Receiving adequate sleep aids in stress reduction, thereby helping prevent anxiety attacks. Aim for at least eight hours of sleep each night. Be sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and comfortable, so you can fall asleep quickly. To ensure a good night’s rest, limit caffeine intake, or avoid it entirely.
Breathe Properly
Breathing is one of our most natural activities, but we often take it for granted. Yet learning how to slow down and breathe properly can help relieve anxiety. You may even notice that when you’re nervous or upset, your breathing becomes shallow and rapid. But if you consciously work on slowing down your breathing, you can reduce stress in a matter of seconds — even when your heart is pounding with tension.
Exercise Regularly
With all of its proven physical benefits, it’s no surprise that exercise is a natural stress reliever. Studies have shown that regular exercise can help prevent anxiety attacks in seniors. Consider taking a daily walk, or sign up for a gentle yoga or exercise class.
Avoid Smoking, Alcohol, and Caffeine
Certain substances, including smoking, alcohol, and caffeine, can trigger anxiety attacks. If you want to lower your risk of anxiety attacks, it’s wise to avoid these substances altogether. Consider switching from coffee (or other caffeinated drinks) to green tea, or try taking regular breaks from smoking.
Job Anxiety
If your job causes you anxiety, perhaps working part-time can help you balance family obligations and other commitments. Another option is to consider training or education to kickstart a career change. Enrolling in an online education program can allow you to fit learning into your own time schedule and balance education with your work life.
Seek Professional Help
If you find your anxiety persists despite taking these steps, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Most importantly, if you’re experiencing physical symptoms, such as chest pain or an irregular heartbeat, as a result of your anxiety, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Find Healthy Ways
Don’t ignore stress or anxiety when it arises, even if it feels mild. Letting stress or anxiety develop into full-blown panic attacks makes anxiety much harder to deal with. The key is finding healthy ways to relieve that stress. Visit Anxiety Mastery for more tips on dealing with anxiety.