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10 All Natural Anxiety Tamers
Health and Fitness

10 All Natural Anxiety Tamers

I've battled anxiety on and off throughout my entire life. But it wasn't until I became a mom that I found it soaring to a whole new level for me. Some days I barely know it's there, and others I have found it to be completely all consuming. As someone who also values leading a clean and natural lifestyle, I became more interested (and at times desperate) to determine what I could do to help support myself mentally and physically in a more holistic fashion to assist in keeping my anxiety at bay. In addition to seeing a wonderful counselor on a regular basis, these are some of the things that I have found to be beneficial along the way. Keep in mind, that while these are things that I certainly think will be helpful for all moms, you have to figure out what combination of these and/or other things works best for you - as each one of us is different.


1. Sleep. While this can seem obvious, it is one that especially as moms we have a tendency to overlook. But getting adequate rest gives our body time to repair our tired muscles, rebalance our hormones, detoxify our systems and more, which all promote a more relaxed body and mindset as we wake. Try your best to make it a point to go to bed and wake around the same time each day, giving yourself at least a 7-8 hour window for some zzz's. 


2. Healthy diet. I don't know about you, but sometimes when I am feeling anxious, is when I most want to spring for a plate full of cookies. But what I generally find when I do indulge in this way, is that it leaves me feeling even worse. Continuing to make healthy choices, even when you may not "feel" like it, supports the gut, and that gut-brain connection is real all.


3. Fresh air. Go for a walk in your neighborhood. Better yet, go for a walk in nature. Not only does it give you this instant feeling of grounding,  but fresh oxygen energizes us and promotes stress reduction. Live in a place with frigid winters? Opening up a few windows to get a nice cross breeze, even for a few minutes, can have a significant and positive impact on the air you breath inside your home as well.  


4. Infrared sauna or Epsom salt bath. If you are lucky enough to have access to an infrared sauna in your area, I have one word for you - go. These are all the rage, and with good reason, as they not only promote relaxation, but also support detoxification, circulation, relief from sore muscles and more. Don't have one close to you? Try soaking in an Epsom salt bath to give you similar results at home. 


5. Supplements. There are some pretty incredible all natural supplements out there to support our body in relaxing and reducing anxiety. Some of my favorites include CBD Oil, L-Theanine (an amino acid found in tea leaves), Magnesium, Valerian Root (great in tea form before bed), and 5-HTP (an amino acid that promotes the production of serotonin). As I am not a medical professional, certainly check in with your doctor prior to trying any of these out yourself. 



6. Get a massage. Massage therapy can be a really effective way of calming both the mental and physical symptoms associated with anxiety. It has the potential to lower cortisol and promote rest and relaxation, as well as relieve a great deal of that often associated muscle tension as well. 


7. Do a devotional. Not only are there a variety of devotionals out there for anxiety, but I've found that carving a few minutes into my morning routine to dig into a devotional, meditate and pray can be an incredibly powerful way to start my day with God's truth and love guiding me as I seek to overcome all the fears and worries the day may bring. 


8. Yoga. In addition to the calming effect that comes along with completing a yoga session, this form of exercise has numerous other benefits for those that wrestle with anxiety. It has the potential to assist in regulating breathing and increasing body awareness as well as promotes self-love and acceptance. 


9. Foot bath. Snag an at-home foot spa on your next Target run or simply grab your nearest container large enough to fit those tired feet and soak them each night before bed. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to your water for an even more aromatic experience. 


10. Take a deep breath. Or a few for that matter. Oftentimes, when my anxiety ramps up, I begin breathing in a more shallow and rapid fashion. Doing this for an extended period of time can lead to some not so fun symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness and beyond. But if you can remind yourself in these moments to find a place to sit, pause, and focus on your breath, you'll sometimes be surprised by what a big difference an act seemingly so small can make.

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Krista H

Krista is a 30-something mama to a spirited little two-year-old boy and wife to her long time best friend. She is a former bilingual educator turned stay-at-home mom who is passionate about natural living, social justice and doing life alongside others in community. When not writing, you will find her building Lego towers, knee deep in arts and crafts or heading to the nearest fro-yo locale.

www.happyasweknowit.com
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