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I officially started my photography business Studio 29 in 2010. Starting my own business was the best decision, but if you ask my anxiety levels, they might consider it as the worst. I figured other entrepreneurs may be struggling with the same anxiety issues, so I wanted to share my 5 natural ways to relieve anxiety.
After 8 years of running my own business I would say the hardest part is managing the anxiety and making time for self-care. As many entrepreneurs know, when your company grows & changes, so does your life. And more often than not, business and work comes first and taking care of yourself both mentally & physically takes a back seat. My business to grew rather quickly, which that meant my daily routines had to drastically change so I could support the growth of my company.
I always knew running a business would be “hard” but I guess I never truly knew what that all entailed. Of course it would mean a lot of long hours, some initial rejection, and slow periods until business really picked up. But one I completely forgot about; talking to A LOT of people; mostly strangers. I’ve gotten over all of those initial struggles, but I still have to work to manage the anxiety and (seriously) dedicate time for self-care.
Everyone feels anxious now and then, not just entrepreneurs. In stressful situations, it may be a natural response. But for many people, feeling anxious goes far beyond the occasional worry. For some people, anxiety is so severe that it affects their daily life. Statistics show that 18% of the adult population in the U.S. are affected by an anxiety disorder. That’s 40 million people who have an ongoing problem with anxiety.
Anxiety and depression are often confused. The two conditions have similar symptoms, but usually require different treatments. What is the difference? People may have both. Depression makes us feel low. Our emotions, thoughts and reactions seem dull, muted, and slowed down. With anxiety, however, feelings are heightened. Our emotions, thoughts and reactions speed up and make us feel nervous and tense.
If you are looking for relief from your symptoms, try these 5 natural ways to relieve your anxiety. I’ve applied all of them to my self-care routine and have found them to be incredible helpful.
5 Ways To Receive Anxiety Naturally
1) Try Essential Oils
Lavender Essential Oil is readily available and has many benefits. It helps with restlessness, sleep, general nervous tension and inner peace. Scientific evidence suggests that lavender oil may be useful in the treatment of a number of neurological disorders. Other essential oils which are recommended for anxiety include veviter, ylang ylang, bergamot and chamomile. I order all of my essential oils from Jade Bloom.
2) Don’t Forget To Breathe
Rapid breathing is a common symptom of anxiety. Simply breathing slowly and deeply can be amazingly effective. The key is to focus. Sit up straight, take a deep breath through your nose and hold it for three beats, then slowly exhale. Remember to relax the muscles in your face and jaw. This practice will lower your heart rate and blood pressure.
3) Meditate
Mindful meditation has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. It is simply a way to focus on the present. You may wish to say a mantra, which can be any positive statement or repeated sound you choose. If you have not tried meditation, you may wish to try guided meditation with the assistance of a teacher or a phone app. You can learn to meditate and live mindfully with the Headspace App. Â If you practice meditation regularly, it will be easy to do when you are in the midst of an anxiety attack.
4) Get Active
You don’t have to train for a marathon, but physical activity is an easy, natural way to feel better. Even the mildest forms of exercise help relieve anxiety symptoms. Try yoga, lifting weights, swimming, or just go for a short walk. Take a class, call a friend, or try it on your own.
My main form of exercise is walking the dogs and rowing on my Water Rower. Caleb and I set up a gym in one of our spare bedrooms and I do about an hour of HIT & rowing 3-4 times a week. I am ABSOLUTELY in love with my Water Rower.
If you are in the Milwaukee area and love yoga; my friend Kelsey has an amazing Yoga studio in Milwaukee; Urban OM.
5) Make Music Part Of Your Routine
Studies show that music lowers your heart rate and blood pressure. According to a study reported in Science Direct, soothing music benefits many people with generalized anxiety disorder. You can also listen to calming music with nature sounds. You may also want to try singing, even if only in the shower. Singing releases endorphins and oxytocin, proven anxiety fighters. I listen to music alllllll the time! Here is my editing playlist I created on Spotify.
Anxiety is a common, but distressing problem. Most people experience the symptoms early, before age 21 and many children and teens are affected. If you feel you may have anxiety or other mental health issues, consult your doctor and try including these natural anxiety reducing ideas into your daily life.
I’ve included affiliate links for the Jade Bloom essential oils in this post. Thank you for your support!
