Whether you’re anxious or managing anxiety, there are plenty of tech tools, teas, supplements, apps, and cathartic activities to bring calm. See our top product picks.
Healthline has sole editorial control over this article. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. It’s not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional.
- Best CBD gummies: Cornbread Hemp Full Spectrum CBD Gummies | Skip to Review
- Best essential oil: Eden Botanicals French Lavender Organic Essential Oil | Skip to Review
- Best nighttime drink: FGO Organic Chamomile Tea Bags | Skip to Review
- Best mindfulness activity: Buddha Board Art Set | Skip to Review
- Best guided meditation app: Calm | Skip to Review
- Best eye mask: Manta Sleep Mask SOUND | Skip to Review
Chronic anxiety can have a major impact on your health and well-being. Anxiety, including health anxiety and hospital anxiety, can cause severe mental and physical symptoms if not properly addressed, such as:
Despite the challenges, there are many ways to cope with anxiety. People with mild symptoms may be able to manage their anxiety with natural remedies, like:
- cannabidiol (CBD)
- herbal products
- mindfulness activities
Although the following research-backed natural remedies for anxiety are not a replacement for therapy or medication, they may help you find relief for anxious feelings. They can also be especially helpful alongside regular counseling or therapy.
Read on to learn more about our picks for the best natural anti-anxiety products.
To choose the best natural anti-anxiety remedies, we looked at the following:
- Ingredients: For formulated or herbal products, we chose only those with high-quality ingredients and natural formulations.
- Research: We chose products that have been shown to ease anxiety symptoms.
- Customer reviews: We took reviews and ratings into account, factoring in what users said about how these health products helped relieve anxiety.
- Affordability: We chose products from various price points to ensure that everyone would have options, no matter their budget.
Finally, we only recommend companies we stand behind as being credible and ethical. Every product on our list has been vetted to ensure that they meet Healthline’s medical and business standards. You can read more about our vetting process here.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $20
- $$ = $20–40
- $$$ = over $40
Best CBD gummies
- Price: $$$
- Why we chose it: emerging research suggests that CBD products may help lower anxiety levels
While researchers do not totally understand the link between CBD and anxiety, current findings are promising.
We tested these CBD gummies out
Senior editor Candice Abellon tried the Cornbread Hemp Full Spectrum CBD Gummies and found they worked relatively well. She started to feel drowsy within an hour or two of consuming them.
“I also noticed that I slept through the night without waking up until the morning,” she says.
These gummies by Cornbread Hemp are our best overall pick for CBD gummies for anxiety. They contain CBD extracted from hemp flowers only (without the stem, stalk, or leaves), according to the brand.
Each gummy has 50 milligrams (mg) of CBD, as well as up to 2 mg of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis that makes folks feel high. (This means that, depending on your tolerance and sensitivity to THC, you may feel some effects, but you won’t get high.)
Pros
- vegan, organic, plant-based, and made without gelatin or corn syrup
- made with flower-only CBD
Cons
- contains some THC
- may be too sticky for some people
Best essential oil
- Price: $ for 15 mL
- Why we chose it: lavender may help relieve anxiety
Some evidence suggests that herbal products like lavender essential oil can be calming without sedation. A
Lavender oil is generally safe for most people to use as long as it’s used correctly. Some of the best ways to use it are:
- with an essential oil diffuser
- dropping some into a warm bath
- blending it with an unscented oil or lotion and applying it to your skin
This French lavender essential oil from Eden Botanicals has overwhelmingly positive reviews from customers, with people calling the fragrance “uplifting,” “divine,” and having the “sunny breeziness of a field overflowing with lavender.”
Pros
- pure essential oil, not isolate or mixture
- highly rated by customers
- many sizes available depending on your needs
Cons
- one reviewer wrote that they wished the scent lasted longer
Best nighttime drink
- Price: $
- Why we chose it: chamomile may have anxiety-reducing effects
According to a
Furthermore, drinking a hot cup of tea can serve as a grounding technique by using your five senses to focus on the feel, taste, and smell.
This natural tea by FGO Organic is made with certified organic, non-GMO chamomile that’s processed in a
The company’s variety of teas has over 116,000 reviews on Amazon with an overall 4.6 out of 5 rating. Reviewers call the chamomile tea specifically “subtle and fresh” with many people saying it’s the best they’ve ever had.
Pros
- organic formula
- 100 tea bags per pouch
- eco-friendly packaging
- affordable
Cons
- some reviewers found the chamomile flavor to be too mild
Best mindfulness activity
- Price: $$
- Why we chose it: it’s a mess-free, easy-to-set-up activity
Research shows that
We picked the Buddha Board mindfulness activity, which allows you to paint with water on a special canvas, because it’s:
- reusable
- has minimal setup
- requires no additional materials
Once the water evaporates, your canvas becomes a clean slate, and you can “paint” another picture. It’s designed to help:
- ease anxiety
- promote relaxation
- can be enjoyed by people of all ages
Reviewers call the Buddha Board “a very calming hobby” and “an absolutely wonderful product to practice mindfulness.”
Pros
- easy to use, no set-up or cleanup required
- positive customer reviews
- fun and relaxing activity
- also available in a mini size
Cons
- the brush is delicate and may not withstand rough painting
Best guided meditation app
- Price: $$$
- Why we chose it: popular app for reducing anxiety with over 100 million downloads
Mindfulness-based therapies, including meditation, may be effective in:
- reducing stress
- anxiety
- depression
This Healthline-approved mindfulness app features hundreds of calming exercises, guided visualizations, and breathing techniques to help reduce anxiety symptoms. It also offers sleep stories for those who have difficulty relaxing at night due to anxiety.
We tested out the Calm app
Wellness editor Melissa Lee adores the Calm app for its wide array of guided meditations, sleep stories, and podcasts. She found that it’s a great resource for meditators of all levels, regardless if you’re just starting out or if you’ve been meditating on the daily for years. Her favorite feature is the Daily Calm.
“Every day, there’s a new 10-minute meditation on a certain subject matter — like setting intentions, and practicing self-compassion,” she says. “The first half helps you relax and breathe, while the second half consists of a guided meditation on whatever the topic is.”
Calm has received over 700,000 5-star reviews over the past 10 years it’s been available. While it does require a $69.99 yearly subscription to use, it offers a 7-day free trial, as well as a lifetime plan and a discount for students who use Amazon Prime.
Even though you may be able to find free meditations on other platforms, the ease of use and ability to find targeted exercises through the app may be more appealing than scrolling through a bunch of options and trying to find something that works for you.
Pros
- easy to use
- variety of exercises
- meditation reminders sent to your phone or tablet
Cons
- some reviewers found the sleep stories to be too long
- you have to pay to use it
Best eye mask
- Price: $$$
- Why we chose it: relaxation and sleep are important components of managing anxiety
According to research, insomnia may be a trait marker for people who are at risk for developing anxiety disorders. Another study looking at the link between anxiety and sleep found that those with anxiety are more likely to report poor sleep quality. Being able to sleep, and feeling relaxed enough to do so, is critical to alleviating anxiety symptoms.
This sleep mask by Manta is a multifaceted product: It’s designed with c-shaped eye cups which are designed to put no pressure on your eyes and to allow your eyelids to flutter while in REM sleep. The mask is equipped with Bluetooth headphones that pair with your devices so you can listen to:
- calming music
- a meditation
- white noise while you sleep
With a 20-hour battery life, you may only need to charge the mask every few nights, making it more convenient than similar health products.
While it is on the pricier side, you can try the mask risk-free for 60 days. Reviewers note that the mask has great sound quality and is very comfortable to wear, with many even saying it’s the best sleep mask they have ever tried.
Pros
- blackout eye mask with no eye pressure
- easily adjustable to your head size
- built-in Bluetooth speakers means no cords or having to wear earbuds
- no audible battery notifications
Cons
- pricey
- may not be as comfortable for side sleepers
Price | What it’s best for | How it can help with anxiety | |
---|---|---|---|
Cornbread Hemp Full Spectrum CBD Gummies | $$ | relaxing and promoting sleep | CBD has been shown to help with anxiety symptoms |
Eden Botanicals French Lavender Organic Essential Oil | $ | diffusing, putting into a bath, mixing with lotion | lavender may help ease anxiety symptoms as well as help with sleep |
FGO Organic Chamomile Tea Bags | $ | winding down before bedtime | chamomile has been shown to reduce anxiety symptoms |
Buddha Board Art Set | $$ | preventing doom-scrolling, providing a creative outlet | helps you practice mindfulness and creativity with a screen-free, no-mess activity |
Calm | $$$ | meditations, mindfulness exercises, sleep stories | helps you be mindful and relaxed |
Manta Sleep Mask SOUND | $$$ | sleeping, relaxing, listening to guided sleep meditations | helps you sleep and relax |
In addition to the natural products above, there are many other things you can try to alleviate anxiety symptoms:
- Prescription medications: Your doctor may prescribe medications to help you manage your anxiety disorder. This may include:
- short-term symptom relievers like alprazolam (Xanax)
- long-term antidepressants like fluoxetine (Prozac)
- other more recent additions to anti-anxiety medications
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT can often help identify the root cause of anxious feelings and assist you in dealing with them.
- Support groups: Feeling anxious is common. Many in-person and online support groups may help you understand and manage your anxiety better.
- Exercise: Movement can play a significant role in reducing anxiety. Regular exercise can also have a positive effect on depressive disorders and generally improve your overall health. Exercises that increase your heart rate can help relieve stress and encourage your brain to release serotonin, a natural mood stabilizer.
- Journaling: Positive affect journaling (PAJ), where you regularly write down positive feelings about yourself, may help reduce feelings of anxiety. A
study published in 2018 involving adults with elevated anxiety symptoms found that regular PAJ was associated with fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety after 1 month. - Limit caffeine: Consuming too much caffeine can induce feelings of anxiety, so limiting your intake may be beneficial.
- Limit alcohol: Drinking alcohol is not an anxiety treatment. Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol may even cause anxiety symptoms.
- Stop smoking: Like alcohol, many people feel that smoking helps them deal with stress and anxiety. However, smoking tobacco can increase feelings of anxiety. Cutting down or quitting entirely may help.
Everyone may experience anxiety from time to time, and some anxiety is part of the human experience. However, if you’re noticing that your anxiety occurs on a regular or daily basis, or that it’s impacting your quality of life, finding relief can sometimes be a challenge.
Chronic anxiety, however, may suggest an anxiety condition. If you get anxious without a specific trigger, or your anxiety continues even after a trigger subsides, you may want to consider seeking out professional help.
You can reach out to a therapist or another mental healthcare professional for support if you’ve felt anxious most days for at least 6 months. If these feelings have started to disrupt your everyday life, your health, or your relationships, this is another sign that you should consider seeking help.
Other symptoms to look out for include:
- feeling like your anxious thoughts are obsessive or on an endless loop
- avoiding certain situations or places because of your anxiety
- ignoring your needs because of your anxiety
- overplanning or trying to control situations
- feeling restless
- experiencing panic or anxiety attacks
What is the best natural cure for anxiety?
The best natural cure for anxiety is the one that works best for you and is accessible for you to use when you need it. You can try out different ways to help alleviate anxiety, like grounding techniques or mindfulness to see what works best for you.
What can I take for instant anxiety relief?
Some prescription anxiety medications, like Xanax, can relieve anxiety within 30 minutes. However, they should be used with caution due to addiction potential.
You can also try belly breathing to activate your vagus nerve or looking at a cherished photo to help set your mind at ease. You can check out these tips for beating anxiety in 1, 5, or 10 minutes for more ideas.
How can I treat my anxiety naturally without medication?
There are many options of remedies you can try, from CBD to essential oils to journaling. But even with the best natural tools at your disposal, you may still need medication or therapy to at least figure out what activates your anxiety and how to help relieve it.
What is the best natural product for anxiety?
The best natural product for alleviating anxiety depends on your unique needs. For example, you may gravitate toward herbal products like lavender essential oils to help with anxiety symptoms. Others may prefer anxiety relief products that they can consume, like CBD.
How can I treat my anxiety naturally?
All of the options above may help naturally alleviate anxiety. If your symptoms interfere with your day-to-day activities, consider seeking help from a mental health professional.
What is the strongest anti-anxiety herb?
What is the 3-3-3 rule for anxiety?
This a grounding strategy that can help you cope with your anxiety. How does it work? When you start to feel anxious, look around you and try to name:
- three things you can see
- three sounds you can hear
- three things you can touch
The goal is to help ground you in the present moment and alleviate anxiety symptoms.
Various natural anxiety tools can help you manage overwhelming feelings in the moment and find a sense of calm. Not everyone will find relief with natural therapies, though, and that’s OK. Tools and products designed to help ease feelings of anxiety can’t replace therapy and other medical treatment.
If your anxiety is disrupting your daily life or becomes unmanageable, reach out to a trained mental health professional or doctor who can help you get your symptoms under control.