6 Ways to Reduce Anxiety Quickly Without Pills

Anxiety has a way of rearing its ugly head at the worst possible times, doesn’t it?

Just when we think we’re able to rest, our head hits the pillow and the racing thoughts come.

Or we’re about to embark on something exciting, new, life-changing…aaand instead of focusing on what can go right, our brain wants to focus only on what can go wrong.

It’s so frustrating!

Sometimes, as a woman, it feels like anxiety is a permanent state of mind. We’re constantly worrying about something. We take care of so many people, things, schedules, and tasks that anxiety seems almost impossible to escape.

And our female hormones can betray us too — anxiety is 2 times more common in women than in men. (1,2,4) Anxiety also increases in menopause and the years just before as well. Due to fluctuating hormone levels during this time, even women who have never experienced anxiety are susceptible to developing it during the menopausal transition. (3,4)

So, what’s a girl to do?

Fortunately, there are many ways to combat anxiety naturally, all of which are backed by science and tested regularly by yours truly.

Let’s go over some of my favorite ways to stop the negative thoughts and get back on track when the anxiety monster rears its ugly head.

Laughter Heals Anxiety

You know how good it feels to laugh.

But did you know that laughter has actually been scientifically proven and is prescribed as a therapy to help reduce anxiety and depression? That’s right, researchers have actually found a link between laughter and lowered levels of cortisol, 3,4-dihydro-phenylacetic acid, and epinephrine in the blood. (5,6) That means that laughter has the power to actually reduce stress hormones in a tangible way. Isn’t that amazing?

You don’t need a doctor’s prescription for laughter therapy to reap the benefits of this treatment, and you certainly don’t need any expensive equipment, either. Call up a friend who always makes you laugh (you know the one). Or watch a movie that you know has your kind of humor in it.

It’s amazing how quickly these simple exercises can reduce your stress and anxiety levels.

Yoga Heals Anxiety

If you’ve never tried yoga, here’s your excuse: yoga has been studied for its effect on well-being and scientists discovered that it significantly reduces anxiety levels, depression, and stress in women. (7,8)

There’s a reason people have been practicing yoga for over 3,000 years! It’s amazing for your mind, body, soul, and stress levels. You can literally do it anywhere, in a very small amount of space, and you don’t have to fold yourself into a pretzel, either. For the most part, yoga consists of gentle stretching and bodyweight strengthening exercises. For women, it’s particularly effective because it helps to increase muscle mass which tends to wane as we age.

I love yoga and practice it almost every day. It really helps keep my anxiety at bay. Check out my PRESS Yoga program here. This program is safe and effective for women (and men) with pelvic floor issues, low back pain, and hip pain.

CBD Oil Heals Anxiety

You may have heard of Cannabidiol (CBD) oil. But you may have some misconceptions about the product and might now know how it works.

Luckily, I’ve studied CBD thoroughly — so you don’t have to!

You see, our bodies are actually specifically designed with a system to process CBD. It’s called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), and it runs throughout the entire body.

The Endocannabinoid System actually makes its own endocannabinoids and these molecules interact with receptors that are located all throughout the body. Once they’ve carried out their function, enzymes break them down. This system has been shown to affect your digestion, sleep, memory, mood, and stress regulation.

When you ingest CBD, it interacts with the same receptors that your body’s own endocannabinoids do, enhancing the function of the natural endocannabinoids.

>> It’s important to note that CBD is non-psychoactive cannabidiol, like marijuana, which contains a compound called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the part of the marijuana plant that makes people “high.”

Scientists have found CBD to be effective in treating anxiety and sleep disorders. In one study, it helped decrease anxiety in 80% of study participants in just one month! (9) It is generally well-tolerated by most people. And scientists celebrate its therapeutic properties. (10)

I personally love CBD Oil — and have tested just about every single one on the market. Honestly, some of the stuff that is being sold now should just be taken off the market.

The one I take and the ONLY brand I trust is from Open Minded Organics and it’s full-spectrum, so it does contain the .03% THC as well, which is legal in all 50 states and does NOT get you high.

I only recommend this full-spectrum CBD from Open Minded Organics. It’s certified organic, grown and harvested right here in the USA, and is the highest quality, most effective CBD I’ve ever tried (and I have tried more than 1 dozen.) So This is the number one thing take every day and it’s helping me so much so I want to make sure you know about it <3

There is a limited supply. This is the TRUTH!

There are only 100 bottles and it is first come first serve. So if you want a bottle of this effective CBD oil get it now.

B12 Heals Anxiety

Especially during these times, taking care of ourselves is of the utmost importance. Luckily, we have so many natural and simple ways to help reduce anxiety and keep our minds and bodies strong.

One of my all-time favorite go-to’s for this job is the miracle worker B12. This simple and wildly effective supplement is a must for so many women.

Here’s the thing: if you’ve been suffering from low energy levels, brain fog, and/or a touch of anxiety, chances are good that you’re deficient in this critical vitamin.

I’ve seen so many women (myself included!) that have incorporated B12 into their lives and had miraculous results. We’re talking major depression and anxiety that vanished once their B12 levels were restored. I was actually injecting myself with B12 but now I don’t have to because I found something that works just as good.

Researchers have noticed the same thing, too. In a huge, high-quality study of over 3,500 adults over 12 years, B12 supplementation was found to lower the odds of depressive symptoms. (11) And in another study, scientists noted the same relationship between B12 levels and depression, noting how critical this vitamin is in neurological function. (12)

The tricky thing about B12 is that it’s difficult to get optimal amounts into the bloodstream. It’s easily lost in the digestive process. Which is exactly why I use this incredible liposomal formulation.

Liposomes are small fat-like particles that are combined with nutrients to get them through the digestive process so they can do their job properly. Liposomal B12 is one of the quickest and easiest ways to start feeling better when the anxiety monster comes to call. You can purchase the one I use and recommend HERE.

Essential Oils Heal Anxiety

When it comes to getting rid of anxiety, one of my favorite tools is essential oils. If you haven’t gotten into essential oils yet, it’s time.

You see, essential oils are the concentrated essence of plants that have healing properties. Not only do they have amazing health-giving properties, they smell amazing and are fun to use!

In research studies, Lavender essential oil has actually been shown as effective as anxiety medications, without the potentially dangerous side effects. (13,14)

Essential oils can be hard to purchase because there are a lot of low-quality pretenders on the market that don’t have the concentration of ingredients needed to really be effective. You have to make sure you’re getting the real deal.

Which is why I only use this Relaxx blend from my colleagues at Organixx. 100% organic and free from fillers that dilute the potency of most essential oils, this one is the one to try.

You can diffuse it for a room-filling heavenly scent or put a few drops in a carrier oil ( I use coconut oil) of your choice and apply it to your neck and feet for an instant calming sensation. Click here to try Relaxx.

Meditation Heals Anxiety

I could talk about the many benefits of meditation all day. It’s one of those habits I’ve incorporated into my life that has made such a difference in my mental and physical health.

Meditation has been shown to improve your immune system, help lengthen attention span, reduce stress and control anxiety. (15)

In fact, according to one study, people with anxiety can benefit from one single introductory session of meditation. (16) Scientists have even observed activation of the areas of the brain responsible for worry in study participants who suffered from normal levels of everyday anxiety. (17)

Meditation may sound intimidating for you, but it doesn’t have to involve much more than spending a few quiet moments alone with your thoughts. Don’t allow any preconceived notions or misinformation you’ve received about the practice get in your way of trying it — meditation doesn’t have to mean you move to a monastery or become a hippy.

In fact, meditation can look different for many women.

My recommendation for women who are just starting out is to lean on a guided meditation program, one that walks you through the process of getting into a relaxed state and training your awareness.

Once you’ve experienced the life-giving and anxiety-reducing benefits of meditation, you’re not likely to ever give it up. Give my Healthy Mind plus Sound Healing program a try. It delivers the goods to keep the mind healthy, happy and relaxed. Combine the work here with the Lavender oil. It’s heaven on earth. Click here to check out The Healthy Mind Workout Program.

Don’t Let Anxiety Win

It’s easy to let negative thoughts spiral into more negative thoughts, and slip into a state of anxiety.

But if we are proactive and use a little bit of laughter, yoga, and a healthy dose of CBD as preventative measures, we can keep things from getting too negative too quickly.

I hope these tips empower you to take control of your anxiety, too.

References:

“Gender differences in anxiety disorders: Prevalence … – NCBI.” 25 Mar. 2011, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3135672/.
“Facts | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA.” https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/women/facts.
“Does Risk for Anxiety Increase During the … – NCBI – NIH.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3641149/.
“Anxiety Disorders Among Women: A Female Lifespan … – NCBI.” 6 Apr. 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5613977/.
“The Laughter Prescription – NCBI.” 23 Jun. 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6125057/.
“Therapeutic Benefits of Laughter in Mental Health: A … – NCBI.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27439375.
“The Effect of Yoga on Stress, Anxiety, and ….” 21 Feb. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5843960/.
“Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability … – NCBI.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3193654/.
“Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series – NCBI.” 7 Jan. 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/.
“Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety … – NCBI.” 4 Sep. 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/.
“Longitudinal association of vitamin B-6, folate … – NCBI – NIH.” 2 Jun. 2010, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20519557.
“Treatment of depression: time to consider folic acid and … – NCBI.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15671130.
“Essential oil of lavender in anxiety disorders: Ready for … – NCBI.” 26 Mar. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6007527/.
“Lavender and the Nervous System – NCBI.” 14 Mar. 2013, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612440/.
“Randomized Controlled Trial of ….”https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3772979/.
“Even a single mindfulness meditation session can reduce ….” 23 Apr. 2018, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180423135048.htm.
“Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation-related anxiety relief.” 21 May. 2013, https://academic.oup.com/scan/article/9/6/751/1664700.