As you already know, anxiety can take over your life without you really knowing it. As a retiree, it's even more important to stay in touch with your inner self to maintain balance and notice when there might be a problem.
When we are alone at home, the anxiety can be a never-ending stream of destructive self-talk. The longer it goes on, the more difficult it becomes to ignore, and it becomes part of your subconscious.
If your anxiety is severe or causes you to panic, be sure to see a health professional. However, for day-to-day anxiety, there are natural ways you can reduce anxiety by yourself.
Here are some herbs, tips, and techniques you can use to alleviate your anxiety:
Passionflower. Passionflower is a herb that has been known to help reduce anxiety. For many, passionflower is as effective as some prescription drugs. It also helps with insomnia since anxiety and sleeplessness often go hand in hand.
Proper Nutrition. Sometimes you may forget about the intense connection between how you feel and what you put into your body… especially when you aren’t feeling well. Simply paying attention to getting a natural, well-balanced diet can help you reduce anxiety.
If eating right is difficult for you, be sure to take a multivitamin and avoid processed foods, and caffeine when possible.
Time Management. If you are crazy-busy, this can cause anxiety. This might have started when you worked, that crazy-busy schedule. Now, You feel the need to be crazy-busy, but honestly, you don’t have to any more. If you are trying to fill every hour of your non-work schedule, think twice. Perhaps it's time to drop some activities. Remember to schedule time for yourself to focus on activities that relax you.
St. John's Wort. St. John's Wort has been used as a supplement for centuries. It's a natural herb that can help with both depression and anxiety. It's best used for mild to moderate cases.
Acupuncture. Acupuncture is an ancient art that can reduce your anxiety by enabling you to feel calm and relaxed. It involves the use of thin needles that are used to relax your muscles. I recently visited the site of a local Chinese acupuncturist and the testimonials were amazing!
Worry Time. If you feel that all you do is worry, it's time to pick a worry time. Choose a period of the day - maybe 7 to 8 am - where you allow yourself to worry as much as you want. Worrying is simply not allowed or tolerated during the rest of the day.
Every time you feel worries arise during other times of the day, tell yourself that the worries have to wait for your worry time. I know this sounds odd, but you'll soon find that you won't really worry all that much during your worry time!
Exercise. Studies have shown that regular exercise can reduce anxiety. Exercise produces serotonin (the "feel good" hormone), relieves stress, increases oxygen levels throughout the body, and relaxes your muscles. Go take a walk, today, and see what it does for your anxiety.
Meditation. Pick a time each day when you can meditate. Find a quiet, relaxing place and focus on your breathing while you relax. Next, totally visualize that you are living the retired life you desire. Meditation can relax, inspire, and motivate you.
Whether you choose a natural herb, activity, or retirement life change to reduce your anxiety, you're making a good decision when you opt to go with a natural solution to your problem.
9. Affirmations. Finally, here are three affirmations to help you push forward in life.
My Life Gets Better Every Day.
I Live a Life Free from Worry and Fear.
Go Retiree Go!