More than 18% of adults in the US are affected by anxiety disorders, making this one of the most common mental health issues in the country. A variety of factors can cause people to suffer from anxiety disorders. Stress from relationships, work or finances can cause anxiety. Furthermore, if you have a family member who struggles with an anxiety disorder, you are more likely to as well. Trying to decrease anxiety with drugs or alcohol consumption is likely to exacerbate the problem and increase the risk of further complications.
If you suffer from anxiety, there is a strong chance that your pets can detect this in your body language, tone of voice, and chemical changes in your body. Below are five natural ways you can decrease anxiety for you and your pets.
Try these natural remedies to reduce anxiety
- Exercise
Exercise is one of the best natural remedies for stress, anxiety and depression. Exercise improves our muscle tone and our minds. Regular participation in aerobic exercise has been shown to reduce stress, relieve tension and stabilize mood. This is partly due to the increased production of endorphins that exercise prompts. These natural pain killers improve our ability to sleep, increase feelings of happiness and well being, and stimulate anti-anxiety effects. A regular brisk walk with your dog can help to reduce anxiety for both you and your pet.
Exercise that includes a meditation or breathing techniques are also beneficial for combatting anxiety as they have a two-fold effect on our system. While the physical stretches and poses in yoga increase our heart rate and prompt the production of endorphins, the controlled breathing and meditation techniques work to calm our mind, providing additional benefits for those who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. Because our pets are so in tune with our emotions, by calming our own anxiety, we can often decrease their own distress.
- Essential Oils
Essential oils have been used for centuries for helping people manage stress and anxiety. The tropical scent of Ylang Ylang oil can reduce blood pressure and boost emotional wellbeing; the mild sedative qualities make it a perfect choice for combatting stress and anxiety naturally in both pets and people.
The warm aromas of frankincense have a long and rich history of lifting mood, boosting the oxygen supply to the brain and stimulating the limbic system, which can help to bring your emotions back into check. A combination of Ylang Ylang and Frankinsence is a safe and effective way to treat anxiety and stress in pets, children and adults.
- CBD Oil
CBD oil has increased in popularity in recent times thanks to the increasing body of evidence showing the beneficial effects for people and pets who suffer from anxiety disorders. CBD works by stimulating the endocannabinoid system that’s responsible for maintaining balance within our bodies. CBD is fast working, and works with the nervous system to calm and soothe feelings of anxiety. It can be added to food, water or given directly as a few drops on the tongue.
Anxiety disorders can be debilitating and stressful for the person suffering them as well as their loved ones and pets. Fortunately, there are a number of natural remedies that have been tried, tested and shown to help ease the symptoms of anxiety disorders in people and their furry friends.