Seeking natural remedies for anxiety?
Anxiety is one of those terms that trigger a negative vibe when we hear it. Research, however, suggests that this fear is not merely a negatively connoted word. Instead, it is a reality that people live and have to deal with every day. In fact, according to the professionals with the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), just over 18% of Americans suffer from anxiety. That’s alarming. It equates to almost 1 in every 5.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is the body’s spontaneous reaction to uncertainty. In normal circumstances, it is healthy to be apprehensive about an imminent job interview or a pending business deal. As the old saying goes, a “healthy dose of fear” helps you prepare for the event or take precautions. But what if you worry continuously about your safety, your health, your finances, or your relationships? Then your anxiety is no longer healthy. In fact, it is an emotional disorder.
Anxiety symptoms manifest in adverse body reactions. A person experiencing an anxiety attack will have a sudden and acute episode of physical symptoms.
Some of these include:
- increased heart rate
- sweaty hands
- rapid breathing.
Additionally, if anxiety has become your daily companion, you will regularly struggle with insomnia, be consistently restless, and have trouble concentrating. In time, these experiences compromise the quality of your life.
People may choose to counter anxiety attacks or manage anxiety symptoms with a quick dose of anti-anxiety medication. When ingested regularly, however, these drugs can lead to dependency and cause a depressing effect. For this reason, a lot of people with anxiety issues have opted to join the contemporary craze for natural remedies to health issues.
Natural remedies for anxiety produce three key positive outcomes:
- Alleviate anxiety symptoms.
- Repair anxiety damage.
- Make the brain less prone to anxiety attacks.
Here are seven of the most popular natural remedies for anxiety.
1 – Meditation
Chronic anxiety alters your brain function and programs it to consistently anticipate danger. But meditation modifies this approach by focusing your mind on a positive thought, object, or activity. In this way, you learn to live the present and avoid anticipating the future. Eventually, you experience deep inner stillness, emotional calmness, and a fulfilling sensation of security and self-assurance.
2 – Exercise
Physical activity is widely recommended as a remedy for many health issues. Our bodies are healthier if we keep the metabolic systems active. In anxiety management, exercise produces the ‘feel-good effect’ in the brain by regulating the mood-controlling neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.
Additionally, exercise is a healthy distraction from worry. Most importantly, though, regular exercise promotes general health, which helps the body resist anxiety-triggering situations.
3 – Visualization Techniques
As an anxiety management technique, visualization is the art of creating mental images that help you relax. Since anxiety attacks are a result of imagined danger, visualization can form positive mental images that produce a calming effect. Initially, the person consciously relaxes their body and subsequently sets their mind on a positive and relaxing mental image. Eventually, the person replicates the relaxation experience in real-life contexts.
4 – CBD Oil
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the by-products of a plant that’s a cousin to marijuana. Some derivatives of the plant (cannabinoids) contain the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) compound. Of course, that compound has an inebriating effect. As a result, cannabinoids are listed among illegal products in some countries.
Conversely, Cannabidiol is free of the THC compound, making it produce the calming effect that controls anxiety. Vaping, sublingual, and oral ingestion are common ways of consuming CBD oils.
Choose a CBD oil that’s free of additives, preservatives, and fragrances.
5 – Essential Oils
Plant extracts called essential oils are highly useful in combatting the effects of anxiety. Herbologists and Eastern doctors have long embraced EOs as a legitimate means of curing many ailments.
But not all essential oils are equal in treating anxiety. In fact, specific plants offer better results than others.
What are some of the best essential oils for anxiety?
- Lavender
- Rose
- Ylang-ylang
- Vetiver
- Frankincense
Use them in a diffuser to release the fragrance and let the aromatics quell those uncomfortable feelings.
6 – Journal Writing
Journaling is a conscious exploration of one’s thoughts and feelings. You become more aware of them and allow them to spontaneously flow into written words. As an anxiety remedy, the consistency in journaling helps you track your progress. You can assess your achievement with an anti-anxiety activity and create an action plan. Moreover, people can use this method with other natural remedies as a complementary means of tracking progress.
Want to try your hand at journal writing? The product I am suggesting is one that I personally use. The NC-based mother-daughter team who developed this journal did a fantastic job. In fact, they include tips on how to use the journal to set your goals. If you suffer from work-related anxiety, this might help you sort through your worries.
I use this particular journal to keep my 90-day goals handy for my business. Putting my daily and long-term goals on paper help me to conquer my work-related stress. So it makes me feel better to know that I am proactive. Needless to say, I cannot recommend this product enough!
7 – Pet Therapy
The pet-effect or animal-assisted therapy, as some will call it, has acquired significant consideration in anxiety management. Especially in cases where anxiety is triggered by relationship and security problems, pets are a substitute for human companionship, love, and care. Besides, in contemporary society, pets are often considered family. In fact, the sense of responsibility and connectedness that people establish with pets produces a sense of security.
The Bottom Line on Natural Remedies for Anxiety
When it comes to anxiety management, you’ll find a big difference between ingesting anti-anxiety drugs and using natural remedies. The previous will give temporary relief and may cause dependency with consistent use. The latter regenerates the body, yielding a better quality of life. Struggling with anxiety? Well, now you know what’s the best remedy.
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