Small bouts of anxiety are not uncommon. Especially in the busy world we live in today. However, there is a very big difference between normal stress and clinical anxiety, most glaringly when it begins to majorly impact your everyday life.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a byproduct of your body’s natural response to danger and stress. We have all heard of the fight-or-flight mentality, right? Anxiety is a way in your body’s nervous system that triggers this response based on a variety of factors ranging from environmental and circumstance to brain chemistry.
Some common symptoms of anxiety include:
– Excessive heart rate
– Racing thoughts
– Restlessness
– Trouble sleeping
– Lack of focus
Note that anxiety may present itself differently for every person and it is important that while you may be experiencing something similar always consult a professional for a diagnosis.
How Can I Cure Anxiety?
While you may be able to manage and alleviate the symptoms associated with anxiety, you may not be able to completely cure it. In many cases, focusing on eating healthier and getting daily doses of exercise can certainly help, as both have been shown to increase endorphins in your body. A chemical that is responsible for making you feel “happy”!
After speaking with a doctor you may be prescribed medications, depending of course on the severity of the symptoms and conditions you are presenting with. These medications, like antidepressants and sedatives, may provide the best relief from the most severe symptoms. Allowing you to once again return to a normal way of living.
Aside from getting medical intervention, there are remedies you could try to naturally alleviate the symptoms.
5 Natural Anxiety Treatments
If you wish to forgo medical treatments, for the time being, there are some things you can try at home first.
1. Get Regular Exercise
Regularly exercising is not just great for your physical health but it also boosts massive benefits for your mental health.
Many studies have proven the effects of exercise on the brain and how raising your heart rate can effectively also improve anti-anxiety neurochemicals that naturally occur in the body like serotonin.
2. Limit Your Caffeine Intake
For someone with anxiety, the effects that caffeine has on the body can actually do more harm than good. Caffeine may cause nervousness and restlessness which only worsens the symptoms of anxiety.
In some studies, it has even been to slightly alter the chemistry of your brain, which again is something that you want to stay away from.
3. Get Good Sleep
Sleep is a fundamental part of a healthy physical and mental state and has been proven time and time again to be an important factor, especially for your mental health.
Many health organizations recommend between 7-9 hours of sleep per night, but a recent study confirmed that most people only get 6 hours on average.
4. Breath Better
A common symptom of severe anxiety is panic attacks, in which you can feel as though you are physically running out of air. Practicing deep breathing and learning how to breathe better, can help ease and relax your body.
5. Eat a More Balanced Diet
It should come as no surprise that food is medicine, especially food that is packed with nutrients. This means staying away from sugars, as they are inflammatory, and also increasing your daily water intake. Consuming more greens and fruits is a great way to naturally provide your body with the resources it needs to function normally.