Best natural remedies to fight anxiety
We include products we think can be useful for our readers. If you make a purchase through the links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
Learn how to get rid of anxiety with natural ways and herbs. We list the most commonly used ones that really work.
From getting stuck in traffic before an important meeting, to giving exams or bringing up a child, stress hormones can make you start sweating or nail-biting in a second!
A global pandemic has triggered feelings of uncertainty and doubt about the future, which contributes now to the long-term rising stress levels. According to the study conducted by Michael Daly at Maynooth University in Ireland, the population prevalence of mental health problems has increased during the coronavirus pandemic by 13.5%.
Stress and anxiety can be very deep topics and have multiple reasons. Although when your boss keeps hounding for the overdue tasks, exams never end and kids can't stop screaming, the only thing left is to take a deep breath, try to identify the stress triggers and find the most efficient way to deal with this feeling of anxiety. there are things you can do to fight this sensation of worries and anxiety.
We bet you’ve heard before about the successful recipe of ''eat healthy-sleep well-do exercise'', but what about other remedies and natural ways to cure anxiety? Meditation and breathing exercises, herbal tinctures, botanical extracts or other natural supplements and of course a turn to a plant-based diet are only some examples that can help you lower your stress levels.
Let’s take a closer look!
Can I have a cup of tea, please?
After a long working day full of pressure there’s nothing better than a cup of hot, aromatic tea, which is always a natural muscle relaxant. Green, black or white tea leaves are antioxidants and can boost your heart’s health, and lower the “bad” LDL-cholesterol and blood sugar levels, which are responsible for anxiety.
Make tea drinking a ritual, find the flavour you like and create a habit. You can take a look at several tea blends, like Yogi Tea Bedtime Rooibos Vanilla that offer a great variety of calming or sleep-promoting teas with amazing flavours.
Yogi Tea Bedtime Rooibos Vanilla from GreenBay.
Lavender essential oils
You’ve definitely heard about the purple powerful healer - lavender belongs to the mind family and is one of the most widely used anti-stressing herbs for its calming, soothing and sleep-inducing effects.
Inhaling lavender essential oils (aka aromatherapy), spraying the mist on your pillows or simply applying lavender drops to your skin can easily refresh your spirit and calm your mind.
Lavender Sleep and Relaxation Kit of Lavender World, including lavender oil, spray and gel can prepare you for restful night's sleep and take the anxiety away.
Yorkshire Lavender Sleep & Relaxation Kit including Lavender Oil, Spray & Gel from LavenderWorld
The benefits of Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic Ayurvedic herb native to India that recently gained recognition as an anti-stress supplement. A recent study from 2019 about the Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract shows that participants who took ashwagandha showed lower cortisol(stress hormone) levels.
Taking ashwagandha can help you regulate your body’s natural processes and enhance general well-being and calmness. WeightWorld has Organic Ashwagandha with black pepper that is ideal for managing natural blood sugar levels, while also supporting the normal function of the immune system.
Organic Ashwagandha with Black Pepper from WeightWorld
Valerian roots extracts
Valerian is a herb, whose root has been used to fight sleep problems, anxiety, and depression for many centuries now. One of the researchers suggests that taking valerian root may regulate your sleep-wake cycle as a significant shortening in sleep latency has been observed with people who used valerian extracts.
Valerian is generally considered safe at recommended doses, but if you want to use it on a more regular basis or during pregnancy, you should always ask your general practitioner.
Organic and GMP-certified valerian root extract from Kijani Living can help you reduce stress and find your inner balance.
Valerian Root from Kijani Living
Chamomile
Chamomile is an age-old medicinal herb known in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. It's a natural remedy for various medical problems including asthma, colic, fevers, inflammations, nausea, nervous complaints, children's ailments and skin diseases.
A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research shows that this plant's therapeutic activity can help you calm strained nerves by altering the levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone.
You can find chamomile in various formulas and shapes, like tea, extract, tablet or even skin cream. Yogi Tea Relax blend, for example, is an exceptional drink, which combines the power of chamomile and linden flower and allows you to cope with challenging and stressful situations, by giving you a peaceful balance in body and mind.
Yogi Tea Relax from GreenBay
Does CBD help anxiety?
You might have noticed that the popularity of CBD oils has skyrocketed lately. CBD comes from the same plant family as marijuana. Products that contain cannabidiol are known to be helpful with chronic pain, sleep troubles and stress.
You can find it in different formulas, for example, oil, tincture, creams and lotions or even vaporiser.
There are loads of brands, like CBD Armour, that not only sell CBD products but also provide you with detailed information and surveys about CBD benefits.
CBD OIL 10% from CBD Armour
Other naturally-sourced supplements
Make sure that your body takes adequate amounts of the ingredients it needs to deal with daily stress triggers! Research has shown that there are multiple supplements that benefit our body and help to fight stress. Vitamin D, L-theanine, magnesium, vitamin B, omega-3 and more are really helpful when it comes to those uncomfortable days. Taking some of these ingredients in a plant-based version can scale up the benefits. Dr Vegan has a wide range of vegan and naturally sourced supplements that include L-glycine, L-theanine, magnesium, zinc and chamomile, which can help both your mind and body to relax.
If you're willing to explore more brands like this, check out our Health & Beauty category and use the filter "Supplements & Vitamins" to narrow down the results.
Vegan Nights from Dr Vegan
Turn to a plant-based diet!
We all have to understand the link between what we eat and how we feel.
“There are a wide variety of plant-based foods, especially those rich in magnesium, vitamins C, D, B1, and B6 that can help to ease anxiety. Adding these into a whole-food, vegan diet can help lower stress and anxiety, so why not try them out?”
says Dr Uma Naidoo, Harvard Nutritional Psychiatrist. Staying hydrated, eliminating processed foods and turning to a healthier diet rich in fruits, vegetables can completely change your stress levels and life quality.
Feeling like you need a bit of support with that healthy and plant-based nutrition, but have no time to research the topic? No worries! At Grubby you can simply choose your favourite plant-based recipes and all the ingredients with easy-to-follow instructions will come right to the front of your door!
Meditate!
Meditation, in simple words, refers to learning how to pay attention. Conscious and deep breathing sends signals to the brain that it’s okay to relax and unwind. A meta-analytic review showed that meditation can be very effective for people with stress or mood disorders since it slows down all racing thoughts.
Make sure you find the time for yourself. There are various meditation methods that could work for you and also don’t forget to choose a colourful yoga mat to begin this bright and pleasant trip to your inner world!
Does having a pet help with anxiety?
Humans and dogs have been together since prehistoric times and both have a primal need for physical touch. Cuddling with your pet and of course, generally cuddling! can have multiple psychological benefits, as it's known to reduce levels of cortisol or even lowers the risk of a stroke!
When you hug your pet, neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin are getting elevated, which makes you feel happier and helps to build self-confidence! And remember: adopt, don’t shop!
Get rid of your bad habits!
Cut on eating sugar! One of the biggest causes of stress is an increased level of blood sugar.
Avoid carbohydrates! We know that bread, potatoes and spaghetti are tasty but they are also rich in sodium, which might increase your blood pressure. And guess what? Exactly - higher blood pressure equals more stress!
Drink less coffee! If you’re regularly drinking a couple of coffee a day, caffeine will affect your heart palms and make you more prone to get stressed.
Stop smoking! We all know that taking a drag on a cigarette is only an ephemeral solution - anxiety will come back again soon! Nicotine and other chemicals, that are contained in cigarette smoke, are linked to anxiety disorders and may cause numerous long-term problems.
Getting anxious is normal, we're all humans in the end. But you should never forget, that you're not alone and that there are many natural solutions to relieve it. But if you've noticed your heart keeps beating fast every time you have to deal with a difficult situation, you probably have to consider visiting a medical professional, to avoid long-term problems, like generalised anxiety disorders, panic attacks, or phobias.
And if you're already taking any kind of medication, you should consult your doctor before taking any herbal supplements on a regular basis. Also, bear in mind that some of the above-mentioned herbal remedies can make you feel sleepy, so they may not be safe to take when driving or doing other things that require your full attention.
Remember that if you do not take care of yourself you will not be strong enough to take care of anything in life!