Anxiety seems to be a common struggle these days.  I personally have battled with this much more over the last 5 years than I ever had earlier in life, it became so debilitating it was very difficult to function at times.

For a mother of 2 children and then later 3 children, this was not a very convenient thing to deal with.  I know what it’s like to feel like you can’t do anything.  You are too overwhelmed to even leave the house at times. You might muster up the strength to get out the door and get to the grocery store just to start panicking when you get in the parking lot thinking, “Am I up for this today?”

At times for me it seemed like there was no real reason for the anxiety.  I would look at my life and think I have nothing really to be stressing about so why is my body feeling like this ALL THE TIME?  It can impact your sleep, your social life, your energy, your mood, your relationships…it’s awful.

I tried every diet, I didn’t eat any processed foods, I became fanatical about food and thought that  anytime I felt yucky it had to be something I ate…this isn’t always the case.  A special diet wasn’t enough for me.

If anyone reading this has ever struggled with anxiety or is currently, I feel your pain, I really do.  There were so many times when I just begged for it to be taken away. I prayed daily to find answers so I could fix it.

With time it has almost completely subsided.   I always felt like something in my body was broken and just needed to be fixed and that I would find the answers and over time I have found a few things that have helped me immensely to heal this issue for me.

Hope for answers and believe you will find them because you will.  I don’t believe that we were designed to feel depressed or anxious all the time.  It is not your lot in life.  You can OVERCOME it.

Here are 3  tools that I have used that have really helped me manage this anxiety and live a more peaceful, normal life.

1. Natural Calm Supplement-  This is a powdered magnesium supplement.  Most of the population is deficient in magnesium due to various stresses on our body.  Magnesium naturally calms the nervous system and the muscles, a deficiency can result in a tense body and an anxious mind. Magnesium rich foods include Magnesium can be found most abundantly in coconut water, kelp, cashews, buckwheat, molasses, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, cocoa powder and rice bran.

Natural Calm is fizzy and tastes great in cranberry juice!  It is very easily assimilated due to the powdered form and works fast.  If you have any problems with tightness anywhere in your body or any sort of feelings of anxiety this could be your ticket.  I drink it often and more frequently if I feel stressed.  It is natural and safe.

2. Probiotic Rich Foods-  The connection between your gut and your brain has been in the news a lot lately.  If your digestive system is out of whack and over run with bad bacteria then your brain can get all out of whack as well.  Think depression, anxiety among other brain “disorders.”  By consuming foods rich in probiotic organisms you create a healthier digestive tract and in turn help your entire body including your brain.  Probiotic foods fight inflammation and kefir which I cannot live without is a great source of magnesium.   I recommend consuming kefir on a daily basis as well as cultured veggies.  You can also drink Kombucha if you’d like.  All 3 foods are packed with probiotics.

3. Essential Oils- Our sense of smell is a powerful thing.  We can increase our energy, elevate our mood and calm our body just by smelling a certain scent.  It really is amazing.  Essential oils are pure, safe and surprisingly effective.  For me Lavender and Balsam Fir are 2 oils that really help calm me when I start getting stressed.  Valor is an essential oil blend created by Gary Young that is also extremely calming.  When I need to relax I will just whiff some out of the bottle while breathing slowly, or place 2 drops on my wrist or place a drop behind my ear so I can have it nearby to smell.  I know it might sound a little crazy but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!

I urge you, if you ever struggle with anxiety to try these tips out.  I’d love to hear how else I can help you or if you have found anything that has helped you deal with anxiety in your life.  Hugs!

Rooting for your on your healing journey.

~Hannah