A sensation of apprehension and fear coupled with physical symptoms like palpitations and sweating are the hallmark signs of anxiety. If you suffer from anxiety or panic attacks, know that you are not alone. About 3 million Canadians of the adolescent and adult population are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder each year. In this blog post, I will share 4 natural treatments that can have a surprisingly powerful effect in lowering your anxiety levels that you can do at home.
Essential Oils
One of the top ways to treat anxiety naturally is with essential oils. Oils are extracted from flowers, herbs, and plants, and then used as a way to calm you down and keep away the panic and anxiety. Certain essential oils are better for anxiety, creating a calm environment and reducing the amount of panic attacks you experience. Here are some essential oils to use for stress:
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Frankincense
- Bergamot
- Vetiver
- Rose
You can add some drops to your bath at night, use an essential oils diffuser, or place a few drops on your pillow to soothe your mind and help you get to sleep at night.
Consume More Omega-3s
You probably already know that proper nutrition is essential to treating your anxiety naturally. One of the more important nutrients to make sure you get each day is your omega-3 fatty acids. Try to aim for 2-3 grams of omega-3s every day, as they will help you to lower stress chemicals, which can then reduce your anxiety and panic. You can take a supplement, but it is better to get nutrients from natural food sources. For omega-3 fatty acids, this means fish like salmon and tuna, as well as whole grains, flax seeds, and walnuts.
Get More Vitamin D
Another nutrient you need to treat your anxiety naturally is vitamin D.The best way to get more vitamin D is actually through sunlight. Try heading outside for 15-20 minutes a day to soak in that vitamin D, and you will start feeling a lot better. It will not only help with your anxiety, but improve your overall happiness and can even make you feel more energetic. There are a lot of ways to fit in some extra sunlight, whether you take your lunch break outdoors or you go for a walk in the afternoon before the sun goes down. If you often wear long sleeves/pants when you are outside, have darker skin, or live far from the equator, you may need to take a vitamin D supplement to ensure you are getting enough.
Start Exercising
An excellent way to combine sunlight and exercising is to go for a walk outside, go hiking, or find another outdoor activity. Even if you don’t want to exercise outside, getting more physical activity is great for anxiety. You get your blood pumping, distract your mind, and can de-stress as well.
A recent meta-analysis in the journal Anxiety-Depression found that people with anxiety who engaged in high-level physical activity were more protected against developing anxiety symptoms than those who engaged in low physical activity.
The type of exercise you decide to do may not matter all too much. The research points to the effectiveness of everything from Yoga to HIIT. The fact of the matter is, all types of activity and movement lead to an improvement in anxiety symptoms. The important part is to be consistent with your exercise regimen as much as possible.
Summary
If you suffer from anxiety, know that you CAN achieve a calm state of mind. Anxiety is a multi-faceted condition, and although the above natural treatments can help your symptoms, permanent relief from anxiety comes from addressing diet, lifestyle, hormones, and thinking patterns. If you are ready to gain lasting freedom from anxiety, working one-on-one with a Naturopathic Doctor to tackle your symptoms may be the single best investment you make for yourself. Book a free discovery call with one of our qualified NDs today to find out more on how we can support your health and wellness goals.
Disclaimer: No content on this site, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.