Did you know that almost 70% of Americans take at least one prescription medication and more than half take at least two? Even though this is the case, around 50% of people don't take medications as prescribed.
It's no secret that not every person
likes taking prescribed medication. Luckily, there are natural options that
work for people with certain disorders such as stress and anxiety.
If you aren't ready to try anxiety
medicine, try these natural stress relief ideas first.
1.
Exercise
For the best natural stress relief,
you can burn off anxious energy through exercise.
It might sound counterproductive to
calm your mind and body through exercise, but for many, it works! Exercising
can make you feel better in your daily life.
If you don't have a regular exercise
schedule, create one now to help relieve any stress you might be feeling.
2.
Meditation
Another one of the stress relief
activities is to meditate. Meditation can help with racing thoughts that often
cause anxiety and stress.
The most common meditation styles
that people find helpful are yoga and mindfulness.
Meditation is something you can do
on your own or you can book on demand meditation. For some, guided meditations are more helpful to build
lasting skills for managing stress.
3.
Reduce Caffeine Intake
If you drink a lot of caffeine
because you believe it helps you through the day, it might be causing your
anxiety. The stimulant caffeine is found in energy drinks, coffee, tea, and
even chocolate.
When you consume caffeine at high
doses, it can do more harm than good. Every individual will have different
tolerance for caffeine.
If you begin to notice feelings of
anxiety or jitteriness, cut back on your caffeine intake. Drinking caffeine in
moderation is one of the ways to relieve stress.
4.
Writing
When you are feeling stressed,
finding a way to express your feelings can make things feel more manageable.
Journaling and other forms of writing can help a lot of people cope with their
anxiety.
Record what you are stressed about
but also jot down what you are grateful for. Focusing your thoughts on what is
positive in life might help relieve anxiety and stress.
Writing isn't for everyone. If this
doesn't seem helpful to you, find another way to express your feelings. This
could be through drawing, dancing, making music, etc.
5.
Natural Supplements
The last of our natural stress
relief tips involve supplements. There are several natural supplements made to
reduce anxiety and stress.
Some of the most common options
include:
- Lemon balm
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Green tea
- Ashwagandha
- Valerian
To get a better idea of what might
work for you, talk to your doctor about supplement options.
Natural
Stress Relief Options to Try Now
Stress and anxiety are common for a
lot of individuals, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't deal with them. Anxiety
can become overbearing and negatively impact everyday life.
Instead of relying on medication,
there are natural stress relief ideas you can try first. Exercise, meditation,
and writing are activities you can do every day. If you feel affected by
caffeine, reduce your intake.
If these options don't work, ask
your doctor about natural supplements before opting for medication.
Mental health is a key part of overall health. For more articles like this, check out the other posts on our blog.
