If you suffer from anxiety, you’re probably familiar with symptoms like obsessive worry, panic, nervousness and overwhelming feelings of helplessness and fear. In patients with anxiety disorders, these and other symptoms can range in intensity, and often interfere with different aspects of daily life. For example, it’s common for anxiety sufferers to experience problems at work, at home and in relationships, and many report an inability to complete routine tasks due to an intensity of symptoms.
Thankfully, there are several ways patients can reduce symptoms, improve health and enhance overall quality of life. And while prescribed medications are often used in addressing the symptoms of anxiety, there are methods that are equally effective, without the use of prescription drugs.
Keep reading for tips on reducing anxiety, naturally, safely and effectively.
Counseling
Counseling or talk therapy can be extremely useful for individuals with anxiety. Open, honest communication with a mental health professional can help patients get to the root of their problems, as well as formulate coping methods conducive to psychological health. And while different methods are used in addressing anxiety disorders, the most common is cognitive behavioral therapy. This approach is designed to help patients identify and modify unhealthy thoughts and behaviors in the interest of health and well-being.
Massage
Massage can be an extremely powerful tool in reducing the symptoms of anxiety. Designed to promote calm and relaxation through the manipulation of the skin and underlying tissues, massage has been shown to enhance mood, alleviate anxiety, prevent a recurrence of symptoms and improve overall health and well-being.
To further promote relaxation, oils for massage are often used by massage therapists. These oils are designed to relieve stress, anxiety and pain, as well as add to the overall massage experience. Plus, many oils contain vitamins like E, C and A, as well as calming and restorative ingredients like chamomile, jojoba, mint, aloe and more.
Lifestyle Changes
It’s no secret that our lifestyle choices can have a significant impact on physical health. However, the link between lifestyle and psychological health isn’t always so obvious. Indeed, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets and other habits can worsen the effects of various mental illnesses, including depression, mood disorders and anxiety. In fact, in addition to the physical benefits of regular exercise, its advantages to psychological health include improved memory and focus, reduced anxiety, enhanced mood and more.
Another lifestyle choice that will lessen the effects of anxiety is the avoidance of alcohol and other addictive substances. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for individuals with this disorder to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol; however, this approach not only results in harmful effects to the body, but can also exacerbate the long-term effects of anxiety and other psychological illnesses. In fact, in addition to illicit drugs, even more benign substances like caffeine and nicotine have been shown to worsen the symptoms of anxiety, not to mention impact physical well-being.
So, instead of looking for a short-term solution, making an effort to understand and cope with this illness is essential to overcoming its effects.
Relaxation Techniques
There are several self-help techniques that can be used to combat the symptoms of anxiety. For example, methods like deep breathing, meditation, yoga and tai chi have been shown to reduce stress, improve quality of sleep, boost energy, enhance mood and promote feelings of calmness and well-being. What’s more, a short “time-out” in a quiet, stress-free environment can prove beneficial in addressing acute symptoms, as it can promote relaxation and reduce symptoms, quickly and effectively.
In some cases, prescription medications are necessary in addressing anxiety and other psychological disorders. However, self-help techniques and other drug-free approaches are often extremely effective in treating anxiety and other psychological illnesses. And although the symptoms of this disorder can be intense and overwhelming, the natural approaches listed here can lead to significant improvements in health and quality of life.
