Whether your anxiety spikes during particularly stressful moments (like that morning meeting with your boss that did not go as you'd hoped), or if it's more of an ever-present entity—as Emma Stone, Kristen Stewart, and Ellie Goulding have eloquently described—you're definitely not alone.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 18.1 percent of adults in the United States are affected by some kind of anxiety disorder (that's roughly 40 million adults between the ages of 18 to 54 who can probably to relate to what you're going through in some way). And experts say that estimate is actually a bit low, since many people don't seek help or are misdiagnosed.
There are loads of treatment options out there, from psychotherapy and support groups to the timeless and more immediate "take a deep breath" trick. We've rounded up three all-natural techniques to add to your stay-calm toolkit (hello, #mentalhealthhacks—because you can't have too many coping strategies).
The next time you feel anxiety coming up, try these easy, all-natural methods you can do almost anywhere.
1. Sip on some chamomile tea
Studies have shown the herb chamomile can be effective in aiding with relaxation, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. According to The Cut, while it may not be as strong as a doctor-prescribed drug like Klonopin or Ativan, it can still be effective. "When people have anxiety and they’re looking for non-pharmacological treatments, chamomile is always one of the first to come up," says Chris D’Adamo, MD, assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. (And bonus: It can make your skin look amazing as well.)
2. Bust a (yoga) move
A little physical activity does a body good, and can work wonders when it comes to getting your brain to chill the eff out. Make like Lena Dunham and hit your yoga mat to try and ward off symptoms of anxiety. The star is partial to a restorative child's pose, which makes her feel "really safe and also energized," she told us in this video. "[Child's pose] is a way to enter a private space that you might need to move through whatever you're experiencing."
3. Tweak the way you talk
Turns out, simply saying the word "stress" can make you more, well, stressed. Cut the s-word from your vocabulary and feel your shoulders settle back down where they belong (as in, not up by your ears where they like to hang out when the tension starts to build).
We'd love to hear your tips as well—share them in the Comments! After all, we're in a new era of mental health authenticity—even the royals are getting in on it.
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