Anxiety is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It involves feelings of worry, nervousness, and unease about various situations. While anxiety is a normal human response, excessive or persistent anxiety that interferes with daily life may indicate an anxiety disorder. There are many ways to manage anxiety, including lifestyle changes, therapy, and medication. Some people also find relief through energy healing techniques that work on the body’s chakra system. One chakra that is particularly connected to anxiety is the yellow or solar plexus chakra.
What is the Solar Plexus Chakra?
The solar plexus chakra, also known as the third or yellow chakra, is located above the naval in the upper abdomen. In Sanskrit, it is called the Manipura chakra, which means “lustrous gem.” This chakra is associated with the color yellow and the element of fire. It is linked to self-esteem, confidence, personal power, self-identity, and a sense of purpose in life. Physically, the solar plexus chakra governs digestion, metabolism, and gut intuition. Emotionally, it oversees feelings of anxiety, nervousness, worry, and fear. When our solar plexus chakra is balanced, we feel self-assured, purposeful, and empowered in life. When it is blocked or imbalanced, we may struggle with low self-esteem, indecisiveness, anxiety, anger issues, digestive problems, or a lack of energy and motivation.
The Solar Plexus Chakra and Anxiety
There is a strong connection between the health of the solar plexus chakra and anxiety levels. When this chakra center is blocked or imbalanced, a person often experiences heightened anxiety, worry, and nervousness. Some signs that your solar plexus chakra may be out of balance include:
| Excessive worry and rumination |
| Panic attacks |
| Butterflies in the stomach |
| Difficulty making decisions |
| Feeling powerless over life events |
When anxiety arises, people often feel it first in the belly area, which is where the solar plexus chakra resides. They may describe anxiety symptoms like having a “knot” in their stomach or feeling “butterflies” in the gut. This stems from the mind-body connection between the solar plexus and our anxiety responses.
On a mental-emotional level, a blocked solar plexus can generate persistent worry, self-doubt, and feeling ill-equipped to handle challenges. On a physical level, solar plexus imbalances can manifest as digestive issues, stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other gut problems. This reveals the close ties between our thought patterns, anxiety levels, and stomach health.
Healing the Solar Plexus Chakra for Anxiety Relief
When anxiety arises, it’s important to pay attention to what your solar plexus chakra is trying to tell you. This energy center holds deeper wisdom about core issues of personal power, self-worth, identity, and purpose. By healing and balancing your solar plexus chakra, you can relieve anxiety and reclaim your inner power. Here are some methods:
1. Solar Plexus Chakra Meditation
Meditation is highly effective for reducing anxiety. It puts us in a relaxed, meditative state that counteracts the “fight or flight” stress response. Focus specifically on the solar plexus area with deep belly breathing. As you breathe in, visualize breathing yellow light into your solar plexus. As you exhale, release stored tension, anxiety, and fear. Continue this meditation for 5-10 minutes daily.
2. Solar Plexus Chakra Yoga Poses
Certain yoga poses help energize and balance the solar plexus chakra, which relieves anxiety. Good poses include:
| Bow Pose |
| Camel Pose |
| Triangle Pose |
| Tree Pose |
| Bridge Pose |
Focus on breathing deeply into your belly during these yoga poses. Visualize yellow light filling your solar plexus with each inhale.
3. Chakra Healing Stones
There are certain crystals and stones that can help heal a blocked solar plexus chakra. Beneficial solar plexus stones include amber, topaz, yellow calcite, citrine, tiger’s eye, and golden healer quartz. Place these stones on your solar plexus during chakra meditation or yoga. Wearing solar plexus stone jewelry can also strengthen your chakra throughout the day.
4. Solar Plexus Chakra Affirmations
Affirmations help reprogram your subconscious mind and boost self-confidence associated with the solar plexus. Repeat empowering statements like:
- “I have the power to create the life I want.”
- “I trust in my own inner wisdom.”
- “I deserve to feel at peace.”
- “I am in control of my emotional responses.”
- “My anxiety does not define me.”
5. Aromatherapy for the Solar Plexus
Essential oils can balance and energize the solar plexus chakra. Beneficial oils include frankincense, juniper berry, lemon, lemongrass, and grapefruit. Diffuse these oils at home or apply topically to your solar plexus. Inhale their aromas during chakra meditation.
6. Solar Plexus Chakra Diet
What you eat impacts your solar plexus function. Eat plenty of solar plexus-strengthening yellow foods like lemons, pineapple, yellow peppers, corn, bananas, and turmeric. Avoid processed foods and sugars that can irritate your gut. Focus on anti-inflammatory whole foods rich in quercetin and Vitamin B complexes that reduce anxiety.
7. Creative Solar Plexus Expression
Expressing your solar plexus creatively helps release blocked energy so your inner fire can shine. Paint, draw, dance, sing, or write about your true passions. Let go of perfectionism or fear of judgement – just have fun channeling your creative spirit. This strengthens your personal power center.
8. Movement and Exercise
Physical movement and exercise gets your energy flowing, releases stress hormones, and helps prevents anxiety from building up. Take up running, cardio workouts, dance classes, martial arts, or team sports to stay active. Breathe deeply as you move, while focusing energy in your solar plexus.
9. Self-Confidence Practices
Boosting self-confidence directly fortifies your solar plexus chakra center. Try practices like journalling about your strengths, looking at yourself with compassion, pursuing interests that light you up inside, and cutting back negative self-talk. Anxiety diminishes as genuine self-worth grows.
10. Psychotherapy and Coaching
For ongoing anxiety issues, seeing a therapist or coach trained in solar plexus healing can help. Talk therapy combined with cognitive, behavioral, mindfulness-based, and energy techniques helps relieve anxiety by empowering the solar plexus chakra. This provides long-term anxiety relief through inner transformation.
Lifestyle Habits for a Healthy Solar Plexus
Incorporating daily solar plexus strengthening habits improves anxiety levels over time. Recommended lifestyle tips include:
| Starting a gratitude journal |
| Practicing belly breathing |
| Drinking lemon water |
| Laughing and using humor |
| Buying yellow clothes or decor |
| Wearing yellow solar plexus gemstones |
| Trying solar plexus chakra teas |
| Taking up boxing, karate, or martial arts |
| Dancing, especially styles that move your core |
Make one or two solar plexus habits part of your daily self-care routine for better anxiety management.
When to Seek Medical Help
Holistic solar plexus chakra healing can relieve mild to moderate anxiety. But chronic, severe anxiety that disrupts your life may require professional treatment. See your doctor or a mental health professional if anxiety prevents you from functioning normally. Symptoms warranting medical help include:
- Panic attacks that appear out of nowhere
- Feeling anxious most days
- Avoiding work, school, or social situations due to anxiety
- Trouble concentrating, sleeping, or completing daily tasks
- Substance abuse to cope with anxiety
- Suicidal thoughts related to anxiety
Your doctor can check for underlying health issues that may be contributing to anxiety. Counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and complementary approaches can help manage diagnosed anxiety disorders. Medical treatment and natural solar plexus healing can work hand-in-hand.
Conclusion
The solar plexus chakra directly impacts anxiety levels. When this energy center is blocked or imbalanced, excessive worry, nervousness, and fear often arise. By using meditations, yoga, crystals, essential oils, creative outlets, lifestyle changes, and professional help to heal your solar plexus, you can relieve anxiety and feel empowered from within. Try these solar plexus strengthening techniques to access your inner wellspring of strength and confidence. With a vibrant solar plexus chakra, you’ll be equipped to handle life’s challenges with less fear and enjoy deeper peace of mind.