So you've started to get older, and you realized the real world kind of sucks. So of course, with work, college, bills, and other responsibilities- an increased amount of stress and anxiety follow. Or you may be someone who has struggled with anxiety since you were young and was always more on edge than the other carefree kids.

Of course being put on medication to dull away the boo-boos just like pretty much everyone in this great country, is a next step you may have to take, and one that can possibly help a lot! For some, medication simply may not be enough or do exactly what you've expected. Increased depression, appetite, fatigue, trouble concentrating, dehydration and other unexpected ailments can occur. You wonder if there's something else that can help or other options to just calm down.

I'm certainly not a doctor, I'm simply a 20 year old college student slumped over my laptop and wondering where all these crumbs all around me came from, but I definitely have a lot of tips from years of experience with anxiety and stress. (Can I put that on my resume?) So that means to take everything said with a grain of salt, and not to take any of this as valid medical advice.

So here are some methods and other things that could help with those who feel like there's something missing that could help.

1. Chamomile

Chamomile, the true MVP in the world of anxiety. Certain compounds in chamomile bind to the brain the same way that valium does. So it makes you like, insanely chill and relaxed. But not zonked out or addicted.
The most common way chamomile is used is in tea, but chamomile can also be taken as a supplement.

2. L-Theanine

L-theanine is simply a fancy-schmancy word for the ingredient in green tea. The science side of L-theanine is that it's an amino acid known for calming down a rising heart rate and blood pressure, two things that frequently make an anxiety or panic attack much more frightening. You can also take L-theanine supplements to get the pure benefits without the hassle of brewing a hot cup of tea.

3. Exercise

I know, it sucks. Like really sucks about 95% of the time, and I know every list about how to help with anything always says to exercise, but in this case, it really does help. The key with exercising is pushing through the suck, and finding simple exercises to do to get those endorphins going. Hiking is one great way to get exercise because it's like walking, but you get to be in nature and see amazing things.

4. Essential Oils

Essential oils I consider to be a godsend. They've been around for centuries originally as a part of the enbalming process for the dead, but now they're easy to get and we alive people can use them! They're really just the oil of concentrated aroma from plants. The best for anxiety are considered to be Clary Sage, Frankincense, Rose, Lavender, Chamomile, Palmarosa and Ylang Ylang.
Beneficial places to put your essential oil on includes your neck, forehead and temples, chest and abdomen, and arms and leg in general. You only need a few drops as it is an oil! Massage the oil to increase blood flow to whatever area it is applied to and let the aromatic effect take effect! You can also add some essential oil to your bath, lotion, or a hot compress. Make sure to avoid sensitive areas like your eyes, inner ears, and broken skin.

5. Hold your breath!

Okay now exhale! Deep, yoga-like breathing is shown to be effective in lowering anxiety and stress. It's called the 4-7-8 breath, and what you do is exhale completely through your mouth, then inhale through your nose for a count of four. Hold your breath for a count of seven. Now let it out slowly through your mouth for a count of eight. The theory behind why it works is that you can't breathe deeply and be anxious at the same time.

6. Eat breakfast, get sleep, all the things your mom tells you to do.

I know, we grown and all. I can't really tell you what to do, but your mom is probably right. Being low on sleep literally makes your brain have a harder time controlling emotions, and that includes anxiety and stress. It may still affect you with a good night's sleep, but it really can't hurt.
Studies have also shown that many people with anxiety disorders commonly skip breakfast, eggs are recommended on account of being a great source of choline, and low levels of choline have been shown to be associated with increased anxiety.
Other things that help with a generally anxious and stressed mind are keeping a neat space and journaling.
A neat space helps for those with an already busy mind, it's a relatively mindless task that has a nice payoff of making a space that isn't stressful to be in. Messy spaces tend to add on extra stress as you may think, "Oh man, I should really clean this all up." or "Man I'm a mess and my life is a mess..." Which is my personal mindset.
Journaling helps get messy thoughts out on paper and out of your head. It's very therapeutic, believe it or not, and helps take your mind off from anxiety and stress and focus on what you're writing. If writing isn't your thing, maybe try drawing, or an adult coloring book.

Although these are only six tips, they're all natural and easy tips that can be done really at any time. With that, I'm going to go finally clean my room.