Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues affecting Americans in 2020. In fact, 18.1% of the United States population—that’s about 40 million adults—suffers from an anxiety disorder. There are a wide variety of different treatment plans, solutions, and medications to help treat anxiety, but what’s right for you in particular will vary.
If you’re looking for a way to treat your anxiety that isn’t dependent on the pharmaceutical industry, you’re not alone. More Americans than ever before are searching for natural remedies to soothe their anxiety at home. With so many different options out there, you may have to try a few different ones before you find the one that’s right for you.
Let’s begin by exploring 5 natural remedies for alleviating your stress and anxiety.
Exercise Consistently
Exercise can help you sleep better, feel better, and may even help regulate your anxiety or stress. In this 2015 study, findings from 12 randomized controlled studies suggest that exercise works just as well as anti-anxiety medications for certain individuals.
So, not only is staying active good for your physical health, it can also wildly improve your mental health! Best of all, the effects of exercising regularly can stay with you hours after you work out—leading to long term positive effects.
Try Relaxation Exercises
If you suffer from anxiety, you know better than anyone that relaxing is easier said than done. However, there are a number of ways you can trick your brain into calming down by relaxing your body.
Relaxation exercises are an effective and straightforward way to help calm your overthinking mind. The truth is, the anxiety we feel is oftentimes our brain reacting to perceived dangers. When our brains think we’re in trouble, they go into “fight or flight” mode, which can cause unwanted anxiety and other negative side effects.
Relaxation exercises range from focusing on breathing deeply and slowly to visualizing a happy place. Here are six straightforward ways to help your body—and your mind—relax.
Eat a Healthy Diet
The foods we eat can have a serious impact on how we feel day to day, including mentally or emotionally. You’d be surprised by just how big an impact our diets have on our moods.
For example, low blood sugar levels, dehydration, and many of the chemicals in fast or overly processed foods may cause severe mood changes in some people. Think about the last time you ate a ton of sugar in one sitting, how did you feel five minutes after versus thirty minutes after?
Pay attention to how you feel after mealtime. If your anxiety or stress spike after eating something, it may be time to change your diet. Stay hydrated by drinking at least eight 8-oz glasses of water a day, cutting out some of the refined sugars, and eating complex carbohydrates, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and lean meats.
Make Sleep a Priority
Again, easier said than done when you have anxiety. But sleep has a huge impact on our day-to-day moods! We wrote a blog on it earlier this month, but here are some great tips for getting a good night’s sleep.
Some other general tips include:
- Stop drinking caffeine after 10 am—or altogether
- Refrain from watching TV or reading in bed
- Keep your room cool and your sleeping space clean
- Practice good sleep hygiene by setting up a night time routine
Try CBD
Unlike other sleep aids, CBD is non-addictive, non habit forming, legal in all 50 states, and can be effective at relieving anxiety. It is a great natural stress remedy that doesn’t give you the “high” associated with traditional cannabis.
CBD is a cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant that’s been used as a medicine for hundreds of years to treat common ailments like insomnia, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and many other conditions.
Because it’s legal throughout the country, it’s commonly available in most cities and states. At our shop, we have a wide variety of different products containing CBD. These include treats like brownies and cookies, tinctures, and supplements. Another great product we offer for treating anxiety is Delta-8 THC.
What is Delta-8 THC?
Similar to CBD, Delta-8 THC is one of the four most common cannabinoids derived from the hemp plant. It is commonly used to relieve anxiety, stimulate appetite, and reduce nausea. Delta-8 THC users commonly report feeling pervasive body sensations, relaxation, and clear-headedness.
Interested in trying Delta-8 THC or other CBD products to help treat your anxiety? We’re here to help. We offer a variety of Delta-8 THC and CBD products at our store. If you have any questions about our products, or are looking for suggestions on using CBD to manage your anxiety, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.