High stress and tension for long periods of time lead to long term chemical imbalances. These imbalances have a damaging effect on the physiology of a person. Symptoms of anxiety affect not only a person's mood and emotions, but also the mind and physical body.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental illness in the United States affecting approximately 40 million people over the age of 18 annually.
Anxiety disorders are generally classified into five categories:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Panic Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorders
Changes in diet and the addition of herbal supplements are high on the list of natural remedies for anxiety.
Natural Treatments for Anxiety
Many allopathic medications only target the symptoms and have undesired side effects detouring sufferers from treatment. Homeopathic remedies target the cause and alleviate the symptoms, generally have only mild side effects if any.
Diet plays a very important role in overall heath, eating a balanced diet and refraining from consuming certain types of foods can be in itself a treatment for anxiety. Reducing and/or eliminating caffeine and alcohol consumption is usually high on the list of homeopathic treatments for anxiety disorders. For those who consume caffeine daily, gradually reducing caffeine and replacing with decaffeinated beverages will prevent the withdrawal symptoms sometimes associated with caffeine addiction.
Anxiety disorders are also linked to hypoglycemia. Those who are prone to low blood sugar levels should reduce the consumption of simple sugars and replace them with whole grains. The addition of proteins in the diet can also help prevent anxiety attacks.
Herbal Supplements
Herbs like kava-kava and valerian roots have traditionally been used to treat insomnia, anxiety and tension. Kava-kava an valerian rood are not habit forming like some prescription and over the counter medications.
Kava is native to Polynesia and has been shown to promote relaxation without affecting mental alertness. Daily doses of 300 mg Kava extract have been shown to be an effective treatment for anxiety disorders in clinical tests.
Valerian root behaves like a tranquilizer and is known to calm the nervous system and is best known as a remedy for insomnia. This herb has been clinically tested and Valerian extracts having a minimum of 0.8% valerenic acid are found to be highly effective.
Vitamin B complex can also help in reducing stress levels in the long term. Though not clinically tested California poppy, hops, ashwagandha, passionflower, chamomile and catnip are other herbs that have been used traditionally as natural remedies for anxiety.
Preventing the #1 Cause of Anxiety – Stress
Taking preventative measures when the warning signs of stress and tension first begin to appear is the best protection against anxiety attacks.
There are many health benefits being reported for those who practice meditation and yoga. These eastern healing forms are now being recognized worldwide, claiming to improve mental alertness, emotional stability and increased immunity system function.
Massage therapy also provides relief from stress, tension and anxiety. Improved blood circulation, flexibility, agility, overall energy as well as relieving everyday aches and pains are also benefits of this ancient healing technique.
The follow five simple steps will help ward off anxiety attacks and can be performed in only a few minutes each day:
- While at work take frequent breaks; at least one five-minute break for every 55 minutes worked.
- Become aware of your breath and breathe slowly; consciously relax muscles that have become tight and tense.
- Reduce the amount of coffee and caffeinated drinks consumed
- Get some form of physical exercise each day; even if it is only 10 minutes each day, exercise helps eliminate waste from your body and relieve tension.
- Get a good night’s rest each night.
Before adding any complementary or alternative treatments to a health care regimen all options should be discussed with patients’ primary care physician, as drug interaction may occur and the use of some herbal supplements have been known to skew test results.
Sources:
- National Institute of Mental Health Anxiety Disorders; www.nimh.nih.gov
- Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona, M.D., Ph.D, Natural Remedies for Anxiety; www.healing-arts.org
- The Cochran Collaboration, Kava extract for treating anxiety; www.cochrane.org
- AnxietyCenter.com, Anxiety Symptoms; www.anxietycentre.com
Katrina Rief-Derrico - Katrina has over 19 years experience in the housing industry and is forever the student. Holistic health and wellness is her passion.
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