Anxiety
Ongoing worry, nervousness or panic that is hard to switch off.
23 findings across 18 topics. Strongest evidence: Journaling (B), Ashwagandha (B), Tai Chi (B).
Grades show how certain the evidence is, not how big the effect is. How we grade evidence
What helps
Journaling
- Lowers stress, anxiety and low mood — Benefit, grade B: Moderate
- Eases anxiety — Benefit, grade C: Limited
- Eases symptoms of mental illness — Benefit, grade C: Limited
Ashwagandha
- Reduces anxiety and stress symptoms — Benefit, grade B: Moderate
Tai Chi
- Eases anxiety and depression — Benefit, grade B: Moderate
Music
- Eases stress and anxiety — Benefit, grade B: Moderate
Time in Nature
- Lifts mood and eases anxiety in the short term — Benefit, grade C: Limited
Aromatherapy
- Eases anxiety — Benefit, grade C: Limited
Breathing Exercises
- Eases anxiety — Benefit, grade C: Limited
Chamomile
- Eases generalised anxiety — Benefit, grade C: Limited
Meditation
- Eases anxiety — Benefit, grade C: Limited
Pet Ownership
- Calms stress and anxiety during pet contact — Benefit, grade C: Limited
- Eases depression and anxiety in older adults — Benefit, grade C: Limited
Magnesium
- Eases depression and anxiety — Benefit, grade C: Limited
Massage
- Eases anxiety — Benefit, grade C: Limited
Psilocybin
- Eases anxiety and distress in people facing a serious illness — Benefit, grade C: Limited
Mixed evidence
CBD
- Eases anxiety — Mixed results, grade C: Limited
Yoga
- Eases anxiety — Mixed results, grade C: Limited
Lion's Mane
- Lifts mood and eases anxiety — Mixed results, grade C: Limited
Doesn't seem to help
St John's Wort
- Eases anxiety symptoms — No effect, grade C: Limited
Chamomile
- Does not clearly ease state anxiety — No effect, grade C: Limited
Journaling
- Does not ease anxiety or stress in pregnancy — No effect, grade C: Limited
Risks and things that may make it worse
Caffeine
- Triggers panic attacks in panic disorder — Harm, grade C: Limited