​Reduce anxiety naturally

It is perfectly normal to feel anxious or apprehensive at the moment. There is a lot we cannot control and to have anxiety about not feeling in control IS OK. How do you overcome anxiety? During times of challenge focus on the things you are in control of.

A problem shared is a problem halved

Acknowledge emotions and fears by sharing them with a loved one or friend. Even with the current social distancing guidelines in place, you can still speak with friends and family – if you don’t have (or can’t be bothered with) the latest technology, there will always be the good old-fashioned telephone!

Keep to a routine

To help manage anxiety, keep to a routine. Our bodies operate on a series of cycles, most of which we are unaware of. Having a regular time for getting up, eating meals, going outdoors (or staying in) for exercise, and going to bed will help reassure your body on a subtle but important level, as well as assisting your circadian rhythm to settle.

Filter your news

It is important to be in control of the information coming at you, so do whatever you can to avoid news overload. Turn off the radio when the news comes on; disable push notifications on your phone, and set screen time limits if you need to. Choose a reputable source of news and access it just once a day.

Get moving

Get out and about safely and sensibly. Exercise is so important for mental health. Pick an early morning slot if you live somewhere congested, so that you minimise the likelihood of sharing your exercise space with too many others.

Breathe deeply

Try breathing in for 4 counts and breathing out for 4 counts for a total of 5 minutes. By evening out your breath, you’ll slow your heart rate which should help calm you. Meditation and quiet time can also help.

Eat to beat stress

Keep an eye on your diet. When  feeling stressed, it’s all too easy to grab a quick snack on the go when really our body is crying out for the nutrients it needs to help it cope with extra pressure. Wholegrain carbohydrates (brown bread, brown pasta) will give long-term energy without causing sugar highs and lows and cravings.

Break up with caffeine

Coffee might make Monday a little more bearable, but stimulants like caffeine agitate the nervous system, triggering your fight or flight response, which makes anxiety worse. Refined sugar and alcohol can also make anxiety worse. Chamomile and green tea are more supportive in times of stress.

Natural anxiety remedies

  If you’re really struggling to stay on top of anxiety, you could try one of our top anxiety remedies:

1. A.Vogel AvenaCalm tincture. Prepared using extracts of the oat herb plant, it works to soothe your nervous system, enabling you to cope better with emotional turmoil.

2. For feelings of low mood and mild anxiety there’s A.Vogel’s Hyperiforce. 

3. You could also try Jan de Vries Mood Essence, a combination of flower essences that may give support when it is difficult to stay positive. Taken regularly it aims to uplift and bring back an optimistic and enthusiastic outlook.

4. Hadleywood Elthea - Daily stress can take its toll and cause occasional anxiety. The natural calming agent in L-Theanine helps you relax and promotes relaxation and wellbeing.

5. If anxiety is also causing sleep problems, there’s Valerian. Valerian is recognised for its calming action and is thought to inhibit the breakdown of GABA, a chemical transmitter that enables you to ‘cross over’ into sleep. A perfect partner to Valerian is Hops, as it exerts a gentle sedative action on the nervous system.

Remember, it’s ok to not feel ok. It won’t be forever.