How to Break the Habit of Worry and Fear: 4 Ways to Naturally Calm Anxiety

It is easy to find yourself in a cycle of worry and fear.

Our modern lives tend to shift rapidly and create a feeling of uncertainty. Before we can truly heal anxiety, it is helpful to recognize the first signs of distress, including: a racing heart, tightness of breath, or nervous sweating. But there are times when we may not recognize the subtle manifestations of anxiety, such as restlessness and boredom.

Diffuse, whispering anxiety can cause a level of restlessness and tension that can be hard to identify,” says licensed clinical psychologist Alicia H. Clark. “Boredom and restlessness are states of tension and low-grade anxiety.

Now more than ever it is important that we identify and address the underlying causes of fear and worry—and take steps to heal it. Below are four simple suggestions that can help you break the cycle of fear and worry—and cultivate peace of mind.

Calm Anxiety, Naturally

Get plenty of Vitamin N. We may not think of nature as a vitamin in the classical sense of the word, but it’s just as important as any other daily supplement we might take. As I wrote in “How to Foster Nature Connection for Holistic Healing”:

Richard Louv wrote the wonderful books Last Child in the Woods and Vitamin N, and he names this lack of connection to nature: Nature Deficit Disorder. He explains that our growing cultural disconnect from the natural world has an adverse effect on our health, development, and levels of personal happiness.

We are all in need of Vitamin N, nature. It’s a really easy prescription to write for yourself, and it’s free.

Spending time in nature is one of the surest ways to reduce stress and anxiety. Even a short stroll through a local park or woodland will help to ease worry and inspire a fresh perspective.

Take a break from the news. Our minds are wired to naturally pay attention to the bad rather than the good. This can be helpful in a survival situation, but when we are bombarded with news headlines 24/7, it can increase our fear and anxiety to unhealthy levels. Instead, consider limiting your exposure by scheduling a day or two each week where you turn the news off completely. This will help to reset your perspective and approach life with more serenity and balance.

Choose healthy lifestyle habits. When we feel anxious or know we will be in a situation that might bring about worry and fear, avoiding caffeine and alcohol is a smart choice. Both interfere with normal neurotransmitter functioning, which can disrupt our calm as well as our sleep patterns. Instead, focus on drinking plenty of water. This will keep you properly hydrated and minimize heart palpitations that can trigger an anxiety attack. You will also encourage proper functioning of soothing neurotransmitters like serotonin.

Try herbal support. Sometimes we need a little extra help, especially if we are facing a particularly stressful life event. Herbal remedies are a gentle and effective way to brighten your outlook and soothe your spirit. My favorite calming and adaptogenic herbs include: Ashwagandha, Lemon Balm, Lion’s Mane Mushroom, and Reishi Mushroom, which I’ve combined in my convenient Anxiety & Stress Tincture.

Everyday Thriving

In our fast-paced world, it’s important to take steps to reduce feelings of worry and fear so that we can truly thrive and enjoy overall well-being. Peace of mind is priceless. I hope you find the above tips and resources to be helpful towards this goal.

Nicole Apelian