Everyone gets anxious once in a while, particularly during times of political and social unrest or large-scale tragedies such as the coronavirus pandemic. Those individuals with anxiety disorders are particularly prone to experience symptoms such as a racing heart, sweaty palms, dizziness and shortness of breath.
Anxiety disorders affect around 40 million adults in the United States and about 300 million people worldwide. While there are prescriptions and medical treatments available for anxiety and panic attacks, there are also natural approaches that can help regulate the nervous system and prevent anxiety from escalating.
Many websites have been designed with the express purpose to relieve stress and boost mood. Here are the top five anxiety-reducing websites on the internet right now.
- Pixel Thought. This simple website prompts users to type a stressful thought into a “star” which slowly becomes smaller and fades away on the screen. Quiet music plays as messages appear about the size of the universe compared to the size of our problems.
- Make Everything Okay. If only it were as easy as the push of a button. This minimalistic yet reassuring website contains one button, labeled “Make Everything Okay.” After a user clicks the button, a loading bar appears that says “Making everything okay is in progress.”
- A Soft Murmur. From waves to wind to singing bowls, this site allows users to create ambient sounds and white noise for a relaxing auditory experience.
- Imagination. For a visually relaxing experience, the Imagination site lets users create abstract graphics by just moving the computer mouse.
- Calm.com. This popular website offers a variety of tools for de-stressing and also comes in the form of a mobile app.
If you experience symptoms of anxiety or have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, you’re not alone. Nearly 1 in 5 American also struggle with anxiety. The next time you feel anxiety creeping up, try visiting oneWorking these natural remedies into your routine may help reduce the symptoms you’re feeling and help calm your nervous system.