Lately I’ve been getting a lot of questions asking for suggestions on how to manage anxiety. Given everything that’s going on, now more than ever the struggles and anxiety is SO real. Times of uncertainty can even make someone who doesn’t typically struggle with anxiety have issues. If this is you, just know you are not alone! I am so there with you! So here’s some information and I hope you try something on this list. Sometimes we never know what we will like or find useful until we try it.

As always, if you find it helpful, please pass it along and share. (Also, any comments, thoughts or support is ALWAYS appreciated. Please comment on the blog post below – if you email it to me, it often gets buried in my inbox!)

Please note: you may have noticed that all my posts have a disclaimer on the bottom stating that I may get kind of compensation for items I share. This is not true of everything, I have no relationship with many of the products or services I promote. And I never get PAID to promote anything. I truly share what I have found to be personally beneficial with me, my family and my clients. But I am also a business and in order to continue to give you valuable free content, and feed my 3 children, I also need to make money. So orders you place from links you found on my site may benefit my family (at no cost to you) and I thank you!

So without further ado, some things I suggest (and use myself!) for managing anxiety:

1. CBD

CBD is good for so many things. Reducing depression and anxiety, promoting relaxation and aiding sleep top the list! (It’s also helpful for pain relief, killing cancer cells, lowering high blood pressure, treating neurological disorders such as MS and epilepsy, metabolism, reducing acne, muscle recovery, and relieving symptoms of cancer treatments!)

Taken orally at night (and in the morning) is super helpful for controlling anxiety (or taken when a panic attack hits!).

If you don’t have a favorite brand, Young Living‘s Nature’s Ultra is great and infused with therapeutic-grade essential oils! It comes in 3 flavors, cinnamon, citrus and my favorite: peppermint!

If you want to order, use my member number 1294068.

2. Essential Oils

Essential oils are one of my secret weapons for so many things. Anxiety is definitely one of them (even before Covid hit!)! Two of my favorite blends are Stress Away applied to my wrists and neck, and Peace & Calming which I diffuse (can also be applied to the bottom of the feet & back.)
There are a few other oils I can suggest. If essential oils interests you. Please let me know. Happy to share more!

If you want to order, use my member number 1294068.

3. Meditation

You’ve probably heard about this one, but honestly it helps so much! Even just taking a few deep breaths listening to peaceful sounds can do it. Or follow a guided meditation. Many YouTube meditations cater specifically to anxiety, just Google it. You can also get the CALM app or INSIGHT TIMER app, which have sounds and guided specific meditations too!

4. Manage fear-based media

Don’t watch the news 24/7. I personally don’t watch it at all, but my hubby does so I still stay informed. 🙂
Try to curate your Facebook/Instagram feed as well. Feel free to ‘mute’ that annoying friend, relative or group page who enjoys posting the latest hysterical headline. You don’t even have to unfollow them to do it!

5. Soothing Sounds

As people were hoarding toilet paper and hand sanitizer, I was worried about not having enough produce! (We already had a bunch of Thieves Hand Sprays and Thieves waterless hand sanitizers so I wasn’t so worried about that… all non-toxic and meet the minimum recommended alcohol content, BTW!)

Anyway, we got something that had been on my list for a few years…. A Lettuce Grow Farm Stand! (Bear with me, this has to do with anxiety… in more than one way! Keep reading below, too!) It turns out that not only do we have the freshest, organic produce BUT the sound of the water feature on the stand has been SO calming to me! What an added bonus!
Get one yourself for $50 off with code FRIEND-A4K8.

6. Heal Yourself With Food

Omega 3 Rich Foods* (and Other Nuts & Seeds)

Omega 3 fatty acids found in nuts and seeds may help reduce anxiety, according to clinical studies. Nuts and seeds also contain minerals like magnesium which helps promote sleep – which is also important for reducing stress and anxiety.
Check out this Taste for Life article I’m quoted in for more benefits of Omega 3’s!

• Walnuts*
• Hemp Seeds*
• Chia Seeds*
• Almonds
• Cashews

Veggies/Greens

Veggies are another great source of important minerals.

• Dark leafy greens like Swiss Chard & Kale are also full of magnesium, which helps promote sleep and calmness.
  (You can get an ample supply of these from the Lettuce Grow Farm Stand I mentioned above! 🙂 )
• Avocado
• Asparagus
• Beans

Fruit

Colorful fruit, like red berries and blueberries have antioxidants like Vitamin C and flavonoids that help protect the body from damage due to stress.

• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Kiwi

Other Anti-anxiety Foods

Many other foods have a high antioxidant content as well.

• Green Tea
• Chocolate

7. Functional Mushrooms

Speaking of Chocolate…. If you are like me, when I’m stressed I often increase my chocolate intake. And that’s OK, thanks to my friend Tero at Four Sigmatic (I love supporting friends doing awesome things!). His Mushroom chocolate is just my style…. a treat WITH benefits! It’s dark chocolate with their mushroom blend (the top 10 healthy mushrooms like reishi, chaga, cordyceps and more!) It’s also sweetened with coconut sugar. Four Sigmatic also has lots of other yummy ways to get super healthy mushrooms into your daily routine (my hubby is obsessed with drinking the coffee every morning and we often indulge in the yummy hot chocolate at night!). I can’t wait to try the new protein powder! Use code ABBY10 for 10% off!

8. Crystals for Anxiety

Crystals act as a focal point for meditation, but did you know then can also affect your mood and the course of your day just by having them near you? Whether it’s under your pillow, on a bookshelf / meditation nook, formed into jewelry or just holding in your hand or on your body, there are several crystals that have an anti-anxiety or anti-stress effect. These are some of the most popular calming crystals, but it’s a fascinating subject if you have some time during quarantine to explore!

• Amethyst
  Soothing energy promotes calm and relaxation.
• Rose Quartz
  Placed in the bedroom will attract the energies of peace and tranquility.
• Blue Lace Agate
  A soothing and nurturing crystal that brings calmness and peace of mind.
• Moonstone
  Soothes stress and balances emotional instability.
• Lepidolite
  Dissipates negativity. (Fun fact: Contains lithium which is used in anti-anxiety medication.)
• Black Tourmaline
  Stone of protection, this crystal helps block out negative energies from others.

And More…

And please let me know if you have any more questions or want more info on anything.
If you want to get CBD, essential oils, diffusers or anything else from Young Living, I can explain how to get that too!
xoxo