According to the mental health charity, Mind, one in five students has a diagnosed mental health problem. The most common mental health problems among students are anxiety and depression. University can be a challenging and stressful time, leading a lot of students to suffer from anxiety, whether that’s a small amount, or so much that it begins to impact your life. Here are some free or cheap anxiety remedies for students that could be of use.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
When you’re a student, in most cases you have access to support, therapy and professionals from your university for free. If you’re feeling anxious, it’s important to make the most of these services as they really can help you. One of the most common therapies for anxiety is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. If you don’t want to get referred through university, you can tell your GP and they can refer you for free.
According to the NHS website, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave: “CBT is based on the concept that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a negative cycle. It aims to help you deal with overwhelming problems in a more positive way by breaking them down into smaller parts. You’re shown how to change these negative patterns to improve the way you feel.”
If you feel like traditional therapy won’t help you, this is a great option as it’s different and will actively help you feel better.
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Relaxation Techniques
If you don’t feel like you need therapy but anxiety still creeps into your life, implementing small changes can help. Relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation are free and can help calm your anxious thoughts. A recent study revealed that 54% of people who practiced yoga found that their anxiety symptoms improved.
If you don’t know where to start, the app ‘Calm’ is great for meditation and mindfulness. If you type ‘yoga for beginners’ into YouTube there are a lot of options to choose from and, if you want to get into a class with people, most universities will have a yoga society that provides classes for a cheaper price. When it comes to anxiety remedies for students, yoga really is one of the best.
Chamomile Tea
If you tend to get anxious and overthink before bedtime, it can be difficult to switch off. Swapping out your usual hot drink for a mug of chamomile tea is a way to reduce this anxiety. According to Very Well Health, a 2016 study found that taking 500 milligrams of chamomile extract three times a day for 12 weeks significantly reduced moderate-to-severe symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder.
It won’t cost you any extra to make the switch, as the price is the same as normal tea and you can get chamomile tea in most supermarkets.
Rescue Remedy and CBD Oils
There are so many natural and herbal remedies you can try out to find one perfect for you. A popular choice for students is Rescue Remedy by BACH. You can get this from Holland and Barrett or Boots. It combines five original flower essences discovered by Dr Edward Bach in the 1930s, to provide support in times of emotional demand and reduce anxiety. It comes in a variety of formats, including as a balm or a spray.
CBD Oils are another popular choice. You can either drop some oil directly into your mouth when you feel anxious, rub it on your temples or wrists, or put some in your daily tea or coffee. This article by HealthLine goes into the best CBD oils you can buy for anxiety.
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