7 Helpful Strategies for Managing Anxiety

Manage stress and anxiety naturally, with these simple steps...

Anxiety is your body’s natural response to stress. it is a feeling of fear, or apprehension of what’s to come. Anxiety can also be very  debilitating. Whether you suffer from social anxiety, chronic anxiety or stress-related anxiety, managing anxiety can be a lot of effort in itself.

Overwhelming situations, lack of sleep, stress and overthinking can all lead to a cognitive decline that signals the start of feeling anxious. 

Thankfully, there are natural ways to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and aid in how your body processes the feeling of anxiety. 

Refocus with Distractions

Attempting to distract yourself, or removing yourself from a stressful situation is the easiest way to stop an anxiety attack in its tracks.

Change your surroundings, Look at pictures of your last holiday, watch funny videos on YouTube, or just go for a walk.

Avoid Caffeine

Overstimulation does NOT help when it comes to managing anxiety. Caffeine increases adrenaline in your body and stimulates the very hormone you are trying to decrease.

Invest in Herbs

Herbs that are present in natural solutions like ‘Rescue Remedy’ do wonders at helping your body, and your mind, relax.

Try passionflower, St. John’s wort, kawa, chamomile and damiana. Stress can also be combatted with herbs such as Licourice, Siberian ginseng, withania and rhodiola.

Eating Small Meals

Eating small meals often can do wonders for stabilising your mood. Try eating smaller portions every 2-3 hours with foods that contain protein, or naturally rich in magnesium may, therefore, help a person to feel calmer. Examples include leafy greens, such as spinach and Swiss chard. Other sources include legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Foods rich in zinc such as oysters, cashews, beef, and egg yolks have been linked to lowered anxiety

Talking Out Loud 

Look around you and name three things you see. Then, name three sounds you hear. Finally, move three parts of your body — your ankle, fingers, or arm. Whenever you feel your brain going 100 miles per hour, this mental trick can help centre your mind, bringing you back to the present moment

Or repeat mantras like “I’m always okay, I can breathe, I will be fine” are more helpful than you realise.

Phone a Friend

If you feel yourself falling into the trap of anxiety, phone someone who either understands the situation you are in or knows how to calm you down. Sometimes just being understood, goes a long way in calming your mind and reducing anxiety.

Pressure Points

Making your mind aware of your body and bringing your consciousness to other things is quite helpful in centering your body and reducing overwhelming feelings.

Place your hands on either side of your head and gently press your eyelids closed.

Alternatively, press on your pressure points. Effective places include the fingertips and the muscles directly underneath the collarbone.

Place your fingertips under the collarbone and push with enough pressure to bring your attention to the area.

By actively addressing your body you are helping your mind let go and relax.