It’s normal to feel anxious, but if you’re exhibiting symptoms of anxiety such as excessive worry, restlessness, fatigue, irritability, difficulty in concentrating and insomnia every day for months, you may have an anxiety disorder that needs treatment.
Severe anxiety disorders are often treated with medications such as antidepressants, SSRIs and MAOIs, but people with mild to moderate anxiety symptoms can often find some relief through natural anxiety treatments. Even though these methods are “natural,” it’s important to check with your doctor or care giver to determine if these treatments are safe for you, especially if you’re taking antidepressants or other medications, which can react dangerously with some herbal and natural supplements. If your doctor gives you the go-ahead, try these natural ways to treat your anxiety symptoms.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This is one of the most effective ways to reduce or eliminate anxiety symptoms. CBT works by helping patients use new thinking skills to modify negative behaviors and thought patterns.
Natural and Herbal Supplements
Studies show that some natural and herbal supplements can significantly reduce feelings of anxiety. Many of these natural supplements are safe alternatives to prescription medications. However, you should always consult a doctor or care giver before taking herbal and natural supplements because they may cause dangerous interactions with certain medications. Some of the most effective herbal supplements for treating anxiety symptoms are St. John’s wort, ginkgo biloba, passion flower, rhodiola (or roseroot) and valerian root. Kava is another herb that helps alleviate anxiety, but recent studies show it can produce liver damage if taken in large quantities. L-glutamine and L-histidine are two amino acids that help reduce stress and irritability, and the amino acid GABA has shown to positively affect the brain in relation to anxiety. There are also two occurring compounds called 5-HTP and SAMe that studies have shown to be just as effective as many prescription antidepressants, making them some of the most popular natural antidepressants.
Exercise
Exercise is more than just good for your body; it’s also good for your mind. Exercise helps to boost your mood by stimulating various feel-good brain chemicals that leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. Exercise also takes your mind off worries, boosts your energy level, promotes better sleep, and even improves your sex drive.
Diet
Studies show that a healthy, balanced diet improves your mood in numerous ways. Anxiety symptoms can by greatly reduced by eliminating caffeine and alcohol and reducing your intake of sugar, refined carbohydrates and foods with additives and chemicals. Increase your consumption of foods rich in omega-3s, an extremely healthy oil found in salmon, walnuts, flaxseed and other foods that has been shown to boost mood. Foods high in vitamin B, magnesium and calcium also help the nervous system to function properly. Also, try adding foods high in folic acid, which some studies suggest helps improve the effectiveness of antidepressants. Folic acid can be found in many vegetables, beans and whole-wheat products.
Yoga and meditation
Yoga is a great way to quiet your mind and relieve stress. Simple meditation techniques can also help you control your breathing and thoughts to help ease panic attacks.
Massage and acupuncture
Many studies have proven the healing power of touch. Both massage and acupuncture help restore the body’s emotional balance by stimulating the flow of energy through specific points on the body. Both treatments are widely used to relieve stress, diminish muscle tension and improve sleep.
Holistic anxiety treatment
Anxiety can be a debilitating disorder that disrupts your life. I believe in treating anxiety and other mood and mental disorders with traditional treatments such as therapy and medications, but I also believe in a holistic approach that uses the healing power of natural anxiety treatments.
Source: thenation
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