10 Holistic Ways to Minimize Anxiety

Anxiety is such a common ailment in this busy world. There is a huge relationship between people experiencing anxiety and the feeling of being an imperfect human. The subliminal messages that we see and hear each day make us believe we need to BE something special, produce, create, show up, shine, be happy, get it all done! But when we don't understand our true self, our mind goes into a state of worry and fear, showing up as anxiety. Sometime this is a pressure placed on us by others (which we are allowing them to place on us!), sometimes it is a pressure we place on ourselves. 
You are perfect just as you are. Because you are here on earth, you are worthy, and highly valuable. 
Never forget this. 
One way to get started to understand your anxiety better is to make a journal, and see if there are any particular triggers that bother you. You can learn more about yourself this way, and find strategies to reduce the severity when you know something will trigger you. 

Here are my top 10 tips to reduce your anxiety in a holistic way:

1. Daily Affirmations: "I am valuable" "I am worthy" or "I am strong" are some great one! As soon as you wake up I highly recommend listing to Louise Hay, this youtube link I LOVE to get my day started with some wonderful positive affirmations. Click here for the link: Louise Hay Affirmations

2. Essential Oils: Lavender is my favourite, you can diffuse it, place it directly on your skin, or wear it as as a part of your jewellery. Another great one for anxiety is Bergamot, I like to use this one at night. Clary Sage is also very calming for your mind and for your skin. You can ask me for some referrals to essential oil distributors if you don't have one already! 

3. Deep Breathing: 3 Long and full breaths, in a moment of anxiety, will take your nervous system from the "fight or flight" alarm system, down to the "rest and digest" relaxation system. Close your eyes and breathe. You choosing to breathe that way forces your body into that rest state. This is a great clip to watch to learn to breathe deeply: Deep Breathing

4. Make sure your cells have their micronutrients daily! If you're missing out on essential micronutrients, then your cells and therefore your body and mind, are constantly searching for something they really need. This causes that feeling of buzzing, cravings, and sometimes a jittery feeling. You can be sure you have all of your micronutrients by taking a daily multi-vitamin & multi-mineral combo. This one is my fav: MultiVitamin & MultiMinerals

5. Practice being present in the moment. I love the book The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. You can also listen to Oprah interview Eckhart Tolle about his book A New Earth, I found this to be fantastically grounding. Often anxiety comes from worrying about the past (which we can't change), and the future (which is not now), and we are not truly in the present moment. Take note of the smells you smell, the sights you see, and the sounds you hear. Feel the fabrics on your body, and really notice the moment where you are right now. This is hugely calming. 

6. Make sure you are eating a clean diet. This should be something customized for you, but low in processed foods, sugar, wheat, and dairy. If you're ready to make a change, I promise you it will benefit not only your physical health but your mental health as well. One program I have done and seen others do with great success is called JERiFic, the foundation of it being to Just Eat Real Food.  Check it out here: JERiFic

7. Balance your gut bacteria! This is huge, our gut system has MORE nerves in it than the brain! It is becoming more and more recognized that our belly health is so closely related to our mental health, there is actually a nerve (the Vagus Nerve) that is connected directly from your gut to your brain! This means cutting out a lot of processed foods which hurt your gut bacteria, refrain from taking antibiotics (of course unless absolutely necessary), and building up your bacterial environment with probiotics. You can get these from a supplement, from kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, and even from organic veggies that have been rinsed. 
 
8. Acupuncture. It has long been known that acupuncture works, but the method of how it works has been disputed. Some say an allowance of Qi or energy flow, some say activation of the "rest and digest" nervous system, but either way that you look at it, it creates a calm and serene feeling once you are still and letting the needles do their work. Finding someone you trust and who likes to treat anxiety is essential.

9. Pay attention to who you are spending your time with. They say, you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most of your time with. Are the people around you anxious? Or judgemental? Do they stress you out, or do they lift you up and make you feel whole? It is so important to choose who you are around most of you time. Often the way others interact with us, causes us to feel a certain way, and if it's not a good feeling- you don't have to stay there! 

10. Find time each day to do something that you enjoy doing. If you are just "getting by" or thinking you can wait to enjoy your life on the weekends or on holidays, likely your anxiety will increase due to not feeling the dopamine rush of joy daily from doing something you love. Sometimes this is getting outside, meditating, exercising, playing with animals, time with children, reading, doing a craft, or so many other things! You can even make a list of things you enjoy doing, and when the anxiety starts you can go to this list and pick something from it to do. 

I hope these have helped, there are many things you can do naturally to help with anxiety, if you have a method that works well for you please feel free to share it below to help others too! 

Have a great one. 
Erica
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