Combat Anxiety With Dr. Threlkel’s Holistic Tips
You already know how stress and anxiety have a negative impact on your life, and you’re on the right path by reading this piece. While everyone experiences stress at some point, and many experience anxiety, you don’t have to allow them to control your life.
Seeking professional help is always advisable if you feel like your anxiety is overwhelming. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to beat stress naturally with a holistic approach.
We’re going to take a look at some of the best ways of releasing anxiety and becoming less stressed. So take a deep breath in and out, and let’s get started.
1. Spend Time in Nature
When you take some time, even as short as ten minutes, and go to a park or a forest, you’ll start to feel that stress lessens.
There have been numerous studies on the effect of nature on mental health, and it seems clear that getting outside into green space is right for you. We spend so much time in urban areas, racing from one thing to another, that it’s no wonder the stress builds up.
You might have come across the term ‘forest bathing‘ recently. This Japanese practice of spending time in nature to enhance well being and one’s overall happiness is becoming popular in the West. The act of hearing birdsong and seeing trees can have a calming effect.
You don’t have to go out in the wild though, find a green park and sit for your lunch break. Enjoy the trees and birds around you.
2. Quality Sleep
Lack of sleep has a dramatic effect on your stress levels, and it’s not just big chunks of lost sleep. Even an hour less sleep can cut your energy levels, make you feel overwhelmed, and impair your judgment.
Stress itself can lead to broken sleep, which, in turn, increases stress levels. It can be a vicious cycle. Try hard to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, ensuring that you get a good 8 hours of sleep.
You don’t have to suffer insomnia or restless nights. When you combine natural ways to beat insomnia, you could see yourself less stressed in a short amount of time.
3. Eat Healthy
When you’re feeling stressed, it can be tempting to opt for easy, comforting food. But this isn’t beneficial for your mental health. With sugar spikes and crashes, processed food isn’t a good method for releasing anxiety.
Instead, eat a balanced diet of nutrient-rich foods like vegetables and whole grains. Eat regular meals, so that you always have fuel in your body and aren’t tempted to reach for sugary snacks.
If you feel lost when it comes to cooking healthily, get yourself a couple of whole food-based cookbooks and learn how to make delicious and healthy meals.
Or head to Youtube and grab your next big dinner idea in one easy to watch tutorial.
4. Drink Stress Away
No, we’re not talking about alcohol. We’re talking about water.
It seems almost too easy, but many of us don’t drink enough water on a daily basis. Water is vital to the healthy functioning of your body and brain, so without enough, adverse effects will quickly arise.
From an annoying headache to feeling tired and dizzy, dehydration is a big problem that can contribute to stress levels.
Keep a bottle of water within reach at all times, so you’ll be reminded to drink it. Add some chopped fruit or cucumber to give it extra zing and remember that cold weather can be dry and dehydrating just like hot weather can be.
5. Quiet Your Mind
Ever wanted to shut your mind down for a moment’s peace? With our phones constantly buzzing and more things to do than we can handle, it’s not surprising we lie in bed with racing minds.
No matter how busy your mind is, you can quiet it. Daily meditation for just 10 minutes can have a lasting effect on your stress levels, and while it might be hard at first, it takes consistent practice.
We can all find 10 minutes in our days, and the more you do it, the easier it will become. If you have trouble sleeping, try it before bed.
6. Exercise
The body and mind are interlinked, and when you take care of one, you take care of the other. Engaging in regular exercise is proven to reduce anxiety and stress and is vital for overall health.
You don’t have to sweat it out at the gym to get enough exercise. Try out different classes, sports, or even a couple of games that you enjoy. Chat with friends and exercise in groups to spice things up while sweating it out in a mutually beneficial way.
Or try incorporating workouts into your day by walking or cycling to local shops and coffee dates. Even something as simple as choosing to take the stairs instead of the elevator will help.
Make it a habit. Try stretching for 5 minutes between every hour at work, and watch as your stress melts away and your focus takes off!
7. Talk It Out
Whether you seek professional help or approach friends and loved ones, talking is a great way to reduce stress. We get wrapped up in our negative thoughts and lose the ability to see things for what they are.
When you talk to someone about how you’re feeling or seek advice about a specific problem, the act of getting it off your chest can help relieve that anxiety. By seeking advice, you may well get an external viewpoint that helps you re-frame the negativity and shows you a solution.
Solutions are a lovely thing, and when you let go of stress, you find that the answers come to you while you’re relaxing in a warm shower.
Bottled up negativity increases our stress, so getting it out in the open helps to recognize the problems for what they are. Just thoughts that come and go continually changing.
Often, you may find that they don’t seem as big once you’ve talked about them.
Beat Anxiety Naturally and Regain Your Life
Stress and anxiety can eat you up from the inside and leave you feeling hopeless and trapped. By taking these steps, you can regain control of your health and well-being.
One of the best ways to beat anxiety naturally is by taking care of yourself in every respect. As you can see, these steps aren’t complicated, and when you combine them, the effects can be significant.
If you’re looking for a more holistic, natural ways to reduce stress, get in touch, and we can work together to conquer it.
