Our bodies experience anxious feelings as a way of keeping us safe or preparing us for dangerous situations. However, sometimes those feelings start to spiral out of control, quickly becoming overwhelming and interfering with our daily lives.
From medication to meditation, there are hundreds of ways to treat anxiety. In this post, we will break down some of the most common natural remedies for anxiety so you can focus on what works and avoid wasting your valuable time on what doesn't.
Before we dive into the remedies, it's important to understand what anxiety is and how it affects the body. Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.
Different triggers may awaken feelings of anxiety in different people. These triggers cause the release of stress hormones like cortisol or adrenaline, which prepare the body for a fight-or-flight response. Stress hormones may be responsible for some of the emotional and physical symptoms you feel when experiencing anxiety.
Anxiety is a normal stress response designed to protect us from danger, but when it becomes excessive, it can lead to chronic stress, panic attacks, and other severe symptoms.
There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Panic Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Each type of anxiety disorder has its own set of symptoms and treatments. If you suspect that you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, you should contact a healthcare professional for help treating anxiety.
Some common anxiety symptoms may include:
Excessive worry or fear
Restlessness or irritability
Difficulty concentrating
Muscle tension
Sleep disturbances
Panic attacks
The causes of anxiety can be extremely various from person to person. In some cases, anxious feelings may arise from environmental factors while others can be attributed to genetics or brain chemistry imbalances.
Talk to your doctor to understand how anxiety affects you and develop a safe game plan to treat your anxiety symptoms.
Seredyn Complete Calm is an all-natural supplement that can help reduce feelings of worry, stress, and anxiety. It contains a blend of herbal remedies that have been shown to promote relaxation, including passionflower and Valerian root.
The ingredients in Seredyn Complete Calm are all-natural and have been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety.
Two of the key ingredients include:
Passionflower
Valerian root
Let's briefly break down how each one can act as a natural remedy for reduced anxiety and stress.
Valerian extract has been used to relieve stress and anxiety for centuries. It may reduce anxiety by interacting with a neurotransmitter called adenosine, a natural chemical messenger used by the brain to regulate arousal and reduce overstimulation.
Recent research suggests that Valerian root may be able improve "sleep quality, state anxiety, and depression¹." This may be due to its ability to bind to and activate adenosine receptors in the brain. Adenosine provides a calming effect and helps regulate sleep patterns, and by increasing adenosine activity Valerian produces these same relaxing feelings. It's worth noting that caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors, which is why too much coffee may produce anxiety and "the jitters."
Valerian may also increase the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that relieves anxiety and promotes a cool, confident attitude. Seredyn contains high-quality Valerian extract standardized to 0.8% Valerinic acid, the clinically proven potency.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) has a long history of use as a natural remedy for anxiety and insomnia. That history has been verified by research that indicates that standardized Passionflower extract reduces anxiety and promotes a positive outlook. A study conducted in December 2020 found that it may be able to "reduce stress reactivity, insomnia, anxiety, and depression-like behaviors²."
Passionflower is most effective when combined with Valerian. That's why Seredyn provides optimal amounts of both herbs. The Passion Flower and Valerian extracts in Seredyn are standardized to guarantee consistent potency and purity.
The formula behind Seredyn Complete Calm is designed to help those who struggle with feelings of worry, fear, stress, and anxiety. By supporting the brain's natural ability to relax, Seredyn restores tranquility to your life gently and naturally while simultaneously working to promote emotional harmony.
The amino acid in Seredyn, L-Theanine, increases the activity of a neurotransmitter called GABA. GABA is a natural compound used by the brain to send messages from one nerve cell to another. Feelings of worry and anxiety often result from low levels of GABA. By naturally increasing the activity of GABA in the brain, L-Theanine promotes a sense of tranquility and relieves anxiety.
L-Theanine has also been shown to reduce the body's physical and psychological responses to stress³. Thus, L-Theanine supplements may have the ability to calm the mind without causing drowsiness or sedation. Interestingly, the relaxing and focusing effects of green tea result from its high L-Theanine content.
It's important to remember that Seredyn is not a replacement for other medications, including prescription medication from your doctor. You should always consult with a healthcare professional before adding any new supplement to your routine to make sure it is the best option for you and your unique situation.
There are tons of ways to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Since anxiety exists in many different types and forms, some people may find certain solutions more effective than others. It's all about trying solutions out and seeing what might help relieve anxiety symptoms for you.
Partner with your doctor throughout the process to make sure you are staying safe and choosing the right solutions to ease anxiety your way.
Here are some other natural remedies for anxiety symptoms that you can try incorporating into your normal daily routine. Keep in mind that these are all small pieces to what should be a larger, more comprehensive approach to managing stress and anxious feelings.
Exercise has been widely recognized as a beneficial activity for both your physical and mental well-being, including the reduction of anxiety symptoms.
Physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural chemicals in the brain that act as mood enhancers. Endorphins promote feelings of pleasure and euphoria, helping to alleviate stress and anxiety. Engaging in regular exercise may also decrease the amount of stress hormones (like cortisol) in your body while increasing the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin that contribute to feelings of relaxation and well-being.
Exercise provides a healthy distraction from anxious thoughts and worries as well. When you're physically active, you shift your focus to the present moment, paying attention to your body and movements rather than dwelling on anxious concerns.
Meditation and mindfulness are practices that involve focusing your attention on the present moment. By paying attention to your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations without getting caught up in them, you develop a greater understanding of your anxiety triggers and patterns. This awareness enables you to respond to anxious thoughts and sensations in a more mindful and compassionate way.
Repetitive and intrusive thoughts fuel the cycle of anxious feelings. Meditation and mindfulness help break this cycle by allowing you to observe your thoughts and emotions without getting entangled in them. By creating a mental distance from anxious thoughts, you can develop a more balanced perspective and reduce their impact on your well-being.
Anxiety is often accompanied by intense emotions as well. Meditation and mindfulness practices enhance emotional regulation by teaching you to acknowledge and accept emotions without being overwhelmed by them. Through regular practice, you can develop skills to observe and regulate emotions more effectively, reducing anxiety-related emotional distress.
Meditation and mindfulness practices also promote the development of positive mind states such as compassion, gratitude, and self-acceptance. By nurturing these positive qualities, you can counteract negative thought patterns and cultivate a more positive and resilient mindset in the face of anxiety.
Aromatherapy is a complementary therapy that utilizes aromatic plant extracts, known as essential oils, to promote well-being and address various conditions like anxiety.
Our sense of smell is closely linked to the brain's limbic system, which is involved in regulating emotions and memory. Certain aromas can elicit emotional responses and trigger relaxation and calmness. Aromatherapy can stimulate the limbic system, promoting feelings of relaxation.
Anxiety often comes with physiological symptoms such as increased heart rate, shallow breathing, and muscle tension. Aromatherapy can help address these symptoms by promoting relaxation and providing a sensory distraction. The inhalation or topical application of essential oils can help regulate breathing, lower heart rate, and reduce muscle tension, thereby relieving some of the physical symptoms of anxiety.
Lavender, bergamot, and ylang-ylang are popular oils for reducing feelings of anxiety.
Individual responses to aromatherapy can vary, and some people may be more sensitive or have allergies to certain essential oils. It's recommended to consult with a qualified aromatherapist or healthcare professional to ensure safe and appropriate use of essential oils for anxiety relief.
Yoga is a mind-body practice that combines physical postures, deep breathing exercises, and meditation. It has been recognized as an effective tool for lowering stress levels while promoting mental, physical, and even spiritual wellness.
Through the combination of physical movement and conscious breathing, yoga activates the body's relaxation response, counteracting the physiological and psychological effects of stress or anxiety. Regular practice may help lower stress hormone levels and bring about a sense of calm. Yoga may also assist in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system, which includes the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) branch.
Engaging in regular yoga practice encourages self-care and self-compassion as well. Taking time for oneself, engaging in gentle movement, and practicing self-acceptance can have a positive impact on your overall mental well-being. Yoga provides that space to nurture yourself and cultivate a more compassionate and understanding relationship with the self.
While there are many natural remedies for anxiety that can be effective, there are also some negative coping mechanisms that should be avoided. Let's briefly go over a few of them.
Alcohol can provide temporary relief from anxiety, but it will most likely worsen or increase anxiety symptoms in the long run. As alcohol is metabolized and its sedative properties wear off, it can lead to a rebound effect, causing heightened anxiety symptoms. This may result in increased feelings of restlessness, irritability, and nervousness.
Alcohol also disrupts the quality of sleep. While it may initially make you feel drowsy and help you fall asleep faster, it can interfere with the deeper stages of sleep and lead to fragmented and unrestful sleep patterns. Poor sleep quality has been shown to contribute to heightened anxiety levels, as sleep deprivation may sometimes worsen anxiety symptoms.
Chronic alcohol use may negatively impact physical health as well. It could affect blood pressure or lead to serious conditions like liver disease, cardiovascular problems, and weakened immune function. Health issues like these may indirectly contribute to increased anxiety levels.
For those struggling with chronic anxiety, it may be a natural instinct to attempt to reduce stress by avoiding their anxiety triggers. While this may be an effective strategy to combat anxiety in the short-term, it will not teach you to properly manage stress from a long-term perspective.
Of course, you should avoid putting yourself in situations that will cause you mental distress or even panic attacks. However, you can work with a trained professional to help you slowly expose yourself to stressful situations in order to learn coping mechanisms and eventually overcome feelings of anxiety.
Ignoring the problem may provide temporary relief, but it doesn't address the underlying causes of anxiety. If you find yourself struggling with anxiety or excessive stress, reach out to a medical professional for help. They can help you formulate a plan to combat anxiety using the treatment options that are comfortable and safe for your body.
Anxiety is a common condition that can be managed through a variety of treatments, including natural remedies. Exercise, meditation and mindfulness, herbal supplements, aromatherapy, and yoga are all effective strategies that may help reduce feelings of anxiety. However, remember that all forms of anxiety and stress are unique and what works for one person may not work for another.
(1) Tammadon, Mohammad Reza, et al. (March 2021) The Effects of Valerian on Sleep Quality, Depression, and State Anxiety in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized, Double-blind, Crossover Clinical Trial
(2) Janda, Katarzyna, et al. (December 2020) Passiflora incarnata in Neuropsychiatric Disorders—A Systematic Review
(3) Kimura, Kenta et al. (January 2007) L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses