Approximately 40 million Americans, or 18.1% of the entire population, suffer from anxiety disorders. That’s a startling statistic, although one that is understandable; nearly 80% of Americans suffer from debt, putting a lot of additional strain on day-to-day life.
Everyone has their own techniques and strategies to deal with the stresses and anxieties of their lives, but there are a few things that have been found to be universally calming. It’s certainly true that many people need more than just additional relaxation in their lives, but discovering what soothes your stresses — even if it’s only in a minor way — is absolutely worthwhile. Let’s take a look at three easy-to-obtain sources of serenity.
Cannabidiol Oil
Cannabinoid products are being sold all across the nation. Cannabidiol (CBD) accounts for 40% of the plant’s extract and has been considered a viable treatment option for those suffering from anxiety, cognition problems, movement disorders, and pain. Though science has yet to prove the legitimacy of these claims, 80% of users report that they’ve found CBD products to be “very or extremely effective.”
CBD oil can be found in everything from soap to tea. One of its most popular uses is for anxiety; the phytocannabinoid targets 5-HT1A, a receptor for serotonin that is believed to play the strongest role in anxiety disorders.
Puzzles
Research has shown that puzzles activate our brains while relaxing us psychologically, putting our brains into a meditative state. Many people might be surprised by this fact, but it makes a lot of sense when you think about it; when we focus on puzzles, we start paying attention to patterns.
“That’s what a huge bit of the cortex is primed to do — to spot [patterns],” explains Neuroscientist Daniel Bor. “Once we spot them we can assimilate them into our pyramid of knowledge and build more layers of strategy, and knowing how to do that makes us incredibly successful at controlling the world.”
That out-of-control feeling contributes to most anxieties and stressors; by stimulating our ability to strategize, we feel more in control and therefore relaxed.
Plants
Recent studies have proven that having plants in an office space actually boosts productivity and employee satisfaction. It makes sense that the same effects would occur at home; the addition of just a few green houseplants can improve mood, concentration, and reduce stress levels. All you have to do is find species that work best for you. If you’re terrible at caring for things, select a plant that needs little water and care, such as a succulent. If you’re environmentally-conscious, opt for a bamboo plant — the highly renewable resource grows to maturity in just three to five years.
There are many things you can do and changes you can make to help manage your anxiety and stress levels. If you have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, give the above options a try; you’ll never know if they make a difference unless you give them a chance.
