Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to relax, stay calm, and keep a positive attitude, we wind up feeling a sense of anxiety.

Given the pandemic that’s still raging on and this unsettling time we’re living in, it’s really no big surprise that a lot of people are on edge. Believe it or not, it’s estimated that 40 million people in the United States experience some form of anxiety.

Some are apprehensive about venturing out in public. Others are experiencing anxiety over not being able to see and connect with their loved ones.

And then there are so many who are either out of work or who are concerned about how much longer they’ll have job security.

Let’s be honest, we’d all like to lead calmer, less stressed lives, but it can be so tough not to feel the heaviness of everything that’s going on around us.

Luckily, there are quite a few natural ways to overcome anxiety and give ourselves a boost that don’t involve popping any sort of pill.

How to Naturally Improve Anxiety

1. Meditate

Meditation is a great tool for releasing both anxiety and depression. It helps restore a sense of calm and peace by bringing your awareness back to the present moment. By tuning inward, you focus on your breath to quiet the chatter in your mind that’s causing you to be on edge. Even just a few minutes a day can help make you less anxious.

2. Exercise

Getting your blood pumping while getting some exercise combats anxiety in two ways. First, it takes your mind away from whatever negative thought you were focused on, and two, it releases endorphins in your body, which are natural pain killers and mood boosters. Have you ever noticed how you feel ready to take on the world after a good sweat session? Exercise is beneficial to the body and the soul.

3. Drinking Green Tea or Matcha

While green tea and matcha have plenty of health benefits, including detoxing the body, did you know that drinking a cup of either can help calm your mood? That’s because both contain I-theanine, which helps produce alpha waves in the brain. Alpha waves are responsible for encouraging relaxation and mental clarity.

4. Forest Bathing

Forest Bathing is exactly what it sounds like – getting outside and wandering into the forest, among the trees. It’s an ancient Japanese practice, called Shinrin-yoku, and studies have shown that people who practice forest bathing have a reduction in blood pressure and that it also alleviates stress and depression.

5. Journaling

If you’re someone who likes to put a pen to paper to clear the thoughts that run through your head, then journaling can be quite effective in taking you out of an anxious state. You can write down whatever you are thinking or feeling, even if that means just randomly jotting down words instead of cohesive sentences. Or you can make a list of the things that are weighing heavily on you. Sometimes just acknowledging what is bothering you can help you work through it.

6. Aromatherapy

Practicing aromatherapy and using essential oils can be extremely helpful in calming your nerves. The scent of the oils directly impacts the hypothalamus, which is the area of the brain that influences hormones. Lavender, in particular, has been shown to have a positive effect on mood and to decrease anxiety.

7. Being Around Animals

There are so many ways that spending time with animals can help bring our stress levels down! People have been using animals to help with stress and trauma since the late 18^th century. Canine therapy and equine therapy are commonly used today as a means of treatment for anxiety. Studies have also shown that just 10 minutes of petting a dog or cat can cause a significant reduction in cortisol, which is a stress hormone.

8. Laughing

Yes, the whole “laughter is the best medicine” thing has quite a bit of truth to it! Not only does laughter release endorphins (like exercise), but it also decreases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which are usually used in fight-or-flight situations. The next time unsettling feelings start to pop up, find something to laugh about to distract you!

9. Practicing Mindfulness

Mindfulness means bringing your attention back to the present moment whenever you feel anxiety creep up, or feel that you’re in a reactive state. It can be as easy as taking a step back and refocusing. The truth is, the present moment is the only real moment we have. If something in the past or something that has not happened yet is what’s causing your stress, then reminding yourself to stay present can work wonders to help you move past the anxiety.

In Conclusion

It’s virtually impossible to avoid experiencing anxiety 100% of the time. But by trying one of these simple methods, you may find that even on your most stressful days, even taking a few minutes to help yourself feel more at peace can make all the difference in the world.

What do you do to help restore a sense of calm when anxiety creeps up? Let us know in the comments!