Everyone experiences anxiety in their life to some degree. Although some anxiety is normal, excessive anxiety can have numerous negative impacts such as headaches, increased blood pressure, trouble breathing, fatigue, and unexplained pains. Due to the negative impact anxiety can have on one’s life, it’s important to find ways to manage and control it as much as possible. While you should always consult your doctor if you’re experiencing significant levels of anxiety, these effective natural ways to reduce anxiety may help you manage more moderate levels.

Exercise Regularly

Exercising regularly is often considered one of the most effective natural ways to reduce anxiety. Regular exercise can benefit both your physical and emotional health. When you exercise, your brain produces endorphins that act as natural pain killers. These endorphins enhance one’s sense of wellbeing, help stabilize one’s mood, and reduce overall levels of tension to effectively alleviate anxiety. Even just five minutes of aerobic exercise can help reduce anxiety levels.

Avoid Alcohol, Smoking, and Caffeine

Cutting alcohol, smoking, and caffeine out of your life may greatly help reduce anxiety levels. While many people may reach for alcohol or a cigarette when they feel anxious, the calming effects of these substances only lasts for a short period of time. After the initial impact wears off, anxious feelings can return even more strongly. Caffeine can also exacerbate feelings of anxiety by causing increased jitters and nervousness, or can even contribute to panic attacks for those who have a panic disorder.

Try CBD Oil

CBD oil is a versatile oil with a wide range of potential uses, one of which is treating anxiety. Either taking it in or applying it to an aromatherapy bracelet, CBD oil has been shown to successfully reduce one’s levels of anxiety by increasing serotonin levels The oil has been used to treat various types of anxiety such as panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder with minimal side effects. However, because CBD oil may interact with certain medications, make sure to consult your doctor before using it as an anxiety treatment.

Get Ample Rest

Trying to get sleep while your mind is running wild with anxious thoughts isn’t all that easy. Ironically, not getting enough sleep can make one’s anxiety worse. To try and put an end to this vicious cycle consider following these tips on how to get more sleep:

• Turning down the temperature in your room
• Blocking out all light sources
• Avoid going on your phone, the computer, or watching TV at least 30 minutes before you go to bed
• Avoiding caffeine throughout the day
• Going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day
• Journaling about your anxieties before going to bed to get them off your chest

If you have been experiencing chronic insomnia as a result of your anxiety, make sure to consult your doctor.