Best Natural Remedies for Anxiety

In fact, anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns for Australians and, unfortunately, rates have been rising over the last couple of years due to the ripple effects from the pandemic. Living with anxiety means experiencing symptoms such as nervousness, heightened heart rate, rapid breathing or hyperventilation, hives, restlessness, trouble concentrating, and an overwhelming sense of worry or doom. For many people, taking medication for their anxiety is not the solution – this may be because the side effects of the medication make it not worthwhile, because the medication has little effect, or be a personal choice to avoid taking medication where a natural solution is on offer. In fact, for many people, lifestyle changes and natural remedies are the best way to manage anxiety. Here, we take a look at the best natural remedies for anxiety to help you uncover the true causes of the anxiety symptoms, and the solutions that might work for you – without medication.

1. See a counsellor

The number one non-medication solution for managing anxiety is to see a counsellor. Anxiety stems from the body’s response to stress. Although stress is a natural part of life and happens to us all, anxiety refers to a chronic state of stress or worry that often arises for no apparent reason. And while so many Australians are currently living with anxiety, it is not something you could or should accept as your ‘lot in life’. Counselling is incredibly effective in managing anxiety and an experienced counsellor will help you to understand where your anxiety stems from, what triggers your anxiety, and help you develop real, actionable strategies for managing it. While there is no overnight solution for ‘curing anxiety’, counselling can have a profound effect and is by far your best chance for tackling anxiety once and for all. Reach out to book a counselling appointment today.

2. Keep active

Another of the best natural remedies for anxiety is physical activity. It’s not just great for your body’s health, but extremely important for your mental health as well. In fact, a 2013 study found that people who experience anxiety are far more likely to manage it effectively if they exercise regularly. Now, that doesn’t mean that you need to become a gym junky, if that’s not your thing (although, if it is, great!). You should keep active in any way that you enjoy, be it going for a walk along the beautiful Gold Coast beaches in the mornings before work or attending a group fitness class in the park. It could be dancing along to some 80’s fitness videos at home, doing some weights in the living room, or taking up swimming, cycling, or running. Anything that gets you moving your body regularly will help to relieve stress and tackle anxiety.

3. Reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake

Although so many people use caffeine or alcohol as ways to ‘treat’ their stress (how many times have you said ‘I really NEED a coffee right now’?), these things can actually exacerbate your anxiety. In fact, research suggests that caffeine can worsen anxiety disorders and even increase the likelihood of panic attacks in those who experience anxiety. Meanwhile, alcohol, although it is a depressant and can have a calming effect at first, can result in enhanced feelings of anxiety once its effects wear off. Whether you experience mild or severe anxiety, avoiding caffeine (this means other caffeinated drinks like some soft drinks and energy drinks too) and alcohol will help.

4. Quit smoking

Smoking is another one of those crutches that many people use to ‘manage’ their anxiety or stress. Unfortunately, studies suggest that the earlier in life you start smoking, the more likely you are to develop anxiety. Other studies have shown that smoking can alter the pathways in the brain linked to anxiety. So, while it may seem like a quick fix for stress or anxiety, smoking is actually doing your brain more harm than good – not to mention the effects it can have on your physical health. Quitting smoking is not only one of the best natural remedies for anxiety, it’s also one of the best things you can do for your overall health and longevity. For help on quitting smoking, book an appointment with Integrated Health Specialists, or read more about how we can help you stop smoking.

5. Prioritize rest

Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best natural remedies for anxiety because it helps your brain and body to function better in almost every way. Of course, if you suffer with anxiety, getting a good sleep can be easier said than done. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to enhance what is called your ‘sleep hygiene’ . These include:

• Stop using devices such as mobile phones at least one hour before bed
• Set a regular bedtime and waking time, to help your mind with a good routine
• Eat well and exercise, as these things help you to achieve better quality sleep
• Practice meditation – which can reduce anxiety and help with sleep – win win!
• Practice sleep rituals such as deep breathing, pre-bed exercises, or even hypnotherapy (read more about our hypnotherapy programs here)

6. Try alternative therapies

Here at Integrated Health Specialists, we provide a holistic approach to therapy, which considers all aspects of your physical, psychological, and emotional health to improve your quality of life. That’s why we offer not only counselling and psychology services, but also a range of other specialised therapeutic techniques, that we tailor to suit your goals for therapy. From hypnotherapy to neuro linguistic programming (NLP), emotional freedom techniques (EFT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and more. Get in touch today to find out more or book an initial appointment and find out just how we can help you with the best natural remedies for anxiety.