Yes, It May Go Wrong…But What If It Goes Right? Natural Ways To Help Reduce Anxiety

Anxiety can range from feelings of distress to physical impairment and is categorized by mild, moderate, severe and panic levels. It can cause indecisive, irrational, unwanted, or unusual thoughts that can seemingly swoop in out of nowhere. Anxiety stems from and causes a dysregulation of neurological systems, but the exact mechanisms of anxiety are still only partly known.

We can help ourselves reduce anxiety with calm mindful practices, support for our central nervous system and a healthy sleep cycle. As a community, we can help others if we remember that, just because something seems easy for someone, doesn’t mean that it actually is. If you’re feeling anxious right now, please believe that better days will come again, and keep reading for natural ways to reduce anxiety.

Perspective is the lens we choose, what you see will depend on what you’re looking through. While some may be able to identify the root cause and remedy the onset of anxiety rather easily. For many it may not be obvious, instead it creates more upset as it flies under the radar, undetected. It is often more than just worrying.

Anxiety may look like:

• Avoidance or indecisiveness
• Compulsive or obsessive behaviors
• Dizziness or numbness
• Draining fatigue or restlessness
• Hypervigilance
• Intrusive thoughts
• Lack of concentration or irritability
• Sleepiness or insomnia
• Stomach aches or racing heart
• Overindulgence or over scheduling or overworking

Soothe anxiety with these to-dos:

• A date with nature, go outside, remember the big picture, it will get better.
• Be grateful for what’s still good and stay present.
• Cheer yourself on for surviving and growing, challenge your self-talk.
• Deep calming breaths, find which breathwork practice works best for you.
• Eat something nourishing and drink water.
• Enjoy some simple pleasures, allow yourself to be comfortable.
• Journal, write about how you feel, address the emotion(s) or thought(s).
• Meditate or find focus in a positive distraction.
• Listen to soothing songs, or make a playlist of favorite songs.
• Phone (call/text) a friend, share in a laugh or ask for help.
• Spend time with animals, love on your pets or volunteer for shelter snuggles.

What you resist will persist, face what you are feeling head on, it can also give you a sense of control. Understanding triggers can help you navigate them. Which environments and scenarios increase your stress and anxiety? Generalized anxiety can cause distress in various areas of the body and sometimes the thought of getting through the day is overwhelming. There are also social anxieties, specific phobias and separation anxieties. You can have more than one type and they can come on suddenly or gradually. Some anxieties result from medical conditions and need treatment. Whatever form of anxiety you have, relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga, exercise and alternative treatments can help.

Turning to nature often provides the shift(s) we need. Use your senses to hear, see, touch and smell. Reconsider how you view the passing of light each day. Look for the dancing shadows when the sun emerges filtered through the trees. Komorebi, is a Japanese word whose meaning closely translates to “the sunlight shining through the trees”. Let the light rays bring special meaning to your moments. The following practices offer natural ways to reduce anxiety and, furthermore, strengthen your connection to the four elements of nature:

1. Fire: Candle Gazing, Trataka
2. Air: Breathwork
3. Earth: Grounding/Earthing
4. Water: Salt baths

Before we continue, let’s pause for a Body Scan, a popular meditation strategy to help soothe anxiety. Body scanning helps break the cycle of physical and psychological tension that can get stuck in a loop:

• Get comfortable, preferably lying down
• Take deep, slow breaths
• Gently scan, head to toe, slowly observing sensations or tension
• Soften your jaw and facial muscles
• Relax your shoulders
• Notice if you are holding any tension or if your breath is getting caught
• Breathe into the tension and release it, visualize it leaving your body
• Feel your body connect with the ground beneath you

A healthy body, rooted in nature and free from deficiencies, will have a quicker recovery from the physical and emotional stress of anxiety. Deficiencies may be the cause of tension or dis-ease which can present in a variety of ways throughout the body. Here are supplements that work to fill up nutrient levels that also play a part in our physiological responses to anxiety.

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen which regulates the body’s stress response. Studies show improvements in cortisol levels and overall resistance to stress and anxiety. Best used for chronic anxiety as optimal results require consistency. Try taking Organic Ashwagandha daily, for at least 3 months, to maximize your experience of its many health benefits, including sleep and your central nervous system.

Turmeric can reduce anxiety with its powerful anti-inflammatory effects found to help when there is a chronically activated stress response. Try Tumeric Gold enhanced with black pepper for proper absorption

One of the most notable consequences of sleep deprivation is an increase of anxiety. Restore your sleep cycle and help replenish your depleted levels with the Sleep and Relaxation Bundle. The following set of supplements provides incredible synergy in support of the central nervous system, neuron communications and improving sleep cycles. This bundle encourages your body to find more peace, relaxation and recovery.

GABA is a naturally occurring amino acid, which acts as a neurotransmitter, decreasing activity in the nervous system, thus producing a calming effect. It has been found to lower stress and improve sleep among other health improvements.

L-Tryptophan is an “essential”, meaning our body doesn’t produce it, amino acid produced by plant or animal sources. Once absorbed by the body it gets converted into the hormone serotonin, which helps regulate mood. While further research is ongoing, suggestions include improvements regarding anxiety, cognitive function, mood and sleep.

Magnesium Citrate (MgC) has shown superior absorption compared to other forms of magnesium. Magnesium deficiencies are frequently seen yet every cell in the body contains it and needs it to function properly. MgC soothes, creates and repairs several bodily functions, including nervous system regulation.

5-HTP WORx (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is a compound produced in the body from the amino acid tryptophan, which also works on the central nervous system. 5-HTP is a precursor needed to raise neurotransmitter serotonin and hormone melatonin levels. 5-HTP may have positive effects on anxiety, mood and sleep to name a few.

In times when there are lingering thoughts of anxiety stuck in the mindset, take small steps to retrain the brain. Affirmations can be a rescue remedy in times of need. Feel free to try any of these to help reduce anxiety the next time you feel mentally locked:

• I am safe and comfortable.
• My feelings are valid.
• I am loved and supported.
• I will get through this.
• I am in control of my body.

Keep hope and never underestimate the healing power of nature and a good laugh. As many of these practices teach us, slow down and enjoy nature’s show to get you through each day. Try these natural ways to reduce anxiety and reach out for Superior Labs supplements to add physiological support on your journey towards optimal health. Remember, beginnings do not dictate endings, and in cases where it started differently than you expected, it may just work out better than you ever could have imagined.

Please always work with your trusted healthcare provider before starting any new supplements. Ensure the supplement(s) you would like to start will not interfere with any medical conditions or medications. Feel free to reach out to our support team with any questions.

This blog was written by Meg Ramirez, please click here to learn more about the author.