5 things that help fight anxiety and stress
Written by Shiza Khan
The past year and a half has not been easy on any of us. Many of us had to cope with many sudden changes that were thrust upon us, coupled with uncertainties in our own lives and in the world around us. Amid the chaos, if there was one thing that united us all, it was the increasing amount of anxiety and stress, irrespective of where we live or what age we are.
It is not easy to deal with the gripping feeling that anxiety or stress bring along, and it’s especially harder to keep working on day-to-day activities when struggling with a torrent of thoughts and emotions. Fortunately, there are ways to help deal with all the unwanted emotions, especially when practiced on a daily basis.
Essential oils
Aromatherapy, which is the use of essential oils, is a common way to bring calm and peace into the environment and into our bodies. Studies have put forth clinical data to back the claims of lavender oil being particularly useful for reducing stress and anxiety. Other oils like bergamot, clary sage and ylang ylang can also be beneficial. The oils can be diffused in a room, used in skincare products or in baths.
Using essential oils or blends to soothe anxiety and stress.
Calming teas
The act of holding a warm cup of tea itself can be soothing, and sipping on the warm beverage feels like a hug from within. Teas like chamomile have long been promoted as calming, but recently, clinical trials have proved their efficiency in reducing anxiety and stress. Green tea also contains components like L-theanine and amino acids, which are known to reduce anxiety with long-term use. Green tea also has a considerably lower caffeine content than coffee or black tea, and it has a lot of other benefits like being rich in antioxidants, in improving gut health and digestion and, to some extent, managing weight.
Teas can be highly effective in managing day-to-day stresses.
Supplements from nature
Recently, compounds called adaptogens have surfaced as powerful combatants of anxiety and stress. Adaptogens are basically compounds that influence your hormones by affecting the pituitary and adrenal glands, helping your body manage stress from within.
The commonly used adaptogens are ashwagandha, Siberian ginseng, holy basil or “tulsi” and, to some extent, turmeric.
Good food habits
The role of food as medicine cannot be underestimated. While anxiety and stress can result in wanting to eat a quick-fix meal, picking up a takeaway or perhaps indulging in that dessert you always see on your way home from work, the effects of this can be detrimental to the feeling of anxiety itself.
Instead, take some time to cook a nice meal for yourself. Put on your favourite music, dress up and indulge in a healthy meal that includes adequate protein and fat like omega-3, which is known for reducing anxiety and stress, in a candlelit dinner for yourself. As exhausting as it may sound, the after effects of it will be thrilling and satisfying.
Exercise
Pumping yourself up for physical activity when all you want to be is a human burrito can seem very daunting. But exercise, whether it is simply just a walk around the park, yoga or even a session at the gym, can have mood-lifting effects on the body. Physical activity releases endorphins, which in turn help in managing stress.
At the end of the day, despite what life throws at us and who is around, we are capable of loving ourselves the most. Any simple act that you enjoy doing, from baking a decadent chocolate cake, singing, art, writing or even cleaning your home can help uplift your mood purely because you are doing something you love. And should none of it help, remember there is no shame in taking help when it comes to managing anxiety or stress.
