5 Ways to Reduce Anxiety and Relax!

Hello everyone! As someone who has dealt with her fair share of anxiety, I thought it might be of help to share with you some of the ways I handle mine.

• Candles – Fact: I’ve developed an addiction to scented candles. They are life changing. You don’t have to splurge - keep an eye out for one of the million sales at Bath and Body Works. A great one to try is their “Stress Relief Eucalyptus Spearmint”. If you dorm and can’t light candles, try the plug-in alternative!
• Pamper – Sometimes, a relaxing hot shower can change your entire mood. Deep condition your hair, scrub with The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Body Wash, and moisturize with your favorite scented body lotion. It works WONDERS.
• Sounds of Nature– Thank the lord for the internet because honestly I’ve been loving these websites: Rainymood and Calm. I love sounds of nature – these sites are available in app form too so you can chill on the road. And if you want to step it up a notch, well, go sit outside and enjoy the environment!
• Yoga – I’m not a Whole Foods, flax-seed kind of person and I have always dismissed yoga because I thought it was a “fad.” Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong and I’ve been hooked ever since I tried it. I’m an extremely tense person and I log a lot of hours on the computer (with little sleep). If you don’t have money for a massage or luxuries like that (I’m a paycheck to paycheck kind of girl), YouTube “yoga for beginners” and give it a shot! See if that makes a difference.
• Ditch Caffeine and Switch to Tea! – I know that you need to stay awake and may have a busy schedule/jam-packed hectic days. But, switching to caffeine-free (or low-caffeine) beverages can help. Downing coffee can make your heart race and that’s not a good mix with anxiety.

Please note that these are simply some tips from me, and are not meant to replace your current treatment for anxiety. One of the best things you can do is talk to someone about your anxiety. Learn more on the National Institute of Mental Health.