Feeling Anxious? Here Are 5 Ways to Reduce Anxiety Naturally Including Meditation

Keeping calm can help you feel better and stay healthy.

GET MOVING

“Staying active is a great way to naturally reduce anxiety,” say the experts at Salience Health in Texas. “When we exercise, our bodies release endorphins, also known as the brain’s ‘feel-good’ hormones. You don’t have to overexert yourself, but try some yoga or take a quick walk. Not only can it help you get your mind off things, but you might also be able to curb some anxiety.”

COUNT DOWN

According to the doctors at the Baton Rouge Clinic in Louisiana, a good way to shift your focus away from anxiety is to “try the 5-4-3-2-1 coping technique.” After taking slow, deep, long breaths, “name five things you see around you, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste.”

TRY MEDITATION

“Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit your emotional well-being and your overall health,” says the Mayo Clinic. “You also can use it to relax and cope with stress by focusing on something that calms you. It can help you stay centered and keep inner peace.”

REMEMBER TO REST

Per the Sleep Foundation: “Strong evidence indicates that sleep deprivation can instigate or worsen anxiety disorders. Researchers have found that people who are prone to anxiety are especially sensitive to the effects of insufficient sleep on mood and emotional health. Anxiety and sleep deprivation can be self-reinforcing; worrying causes poor sleep, while further sleep difficulties cause greater anxiety.”

LAUGH IT OFF

“It sounds so simple, but the truth is, laughter really can be the best medicine … for anxiety,” say the therapy experts at TalkSpace. “The natural anxiety remedy is known to boost endorphins and reduce stress hormones like dopamine, cortisol and epinephrine.”