subject: Natural Anxiety Relief For The Whole Person [print this page] One may prefer natural anxiety relief to pharmaceutical drugs used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Remedies from nature or treatments that are gentle on the body may be desired.
Such relief can be considered under the headings "mind, body, and soul or spirit" for practical reasons as follows, although we humans are unified beings so that there is overlap between parts. What affects one affects the others. Methods that integrate aspects of different parts often prove the most effective. Slow breathing techniques (see below) is one example.
I. Natural Anxiety Relief through the Mind
The mind is a powerful organ that influences health. It is known that attitude affects immunes cells, for example. And what we think affects how we feel.
One cause of anxiety is cognitive content. If our thoughts turn dark and gloomy, we turn to what would happen if ... and fill in the blank. Or our minds turn back to events when we were hurt or afraid in the past, causing our emotions to feel as anxious they did during the event.
One proven method of regaining a sense of tranquility and stability begins with recognizing and analysing the morbid thoughts. Are they rational and reasonable? Is there a silver lining? Has a possible positive spin been overlooked? Is the "what if" scenario probable? How bad was it really or how bad could it be in the future?
Analysis is best when we expose our thoughts in writing through a journal as we remember or have ideas. That way we can think of and record helpful affirmations which contrast with our morbid or "what if" thoughts. Rehearsing the affirmations to train our minds becomes an effective technique in restoring calm.
Sometimes the mind can also accept bad memories as less evil than one had thought or bad future possibilities as something one will be able to cope with. Facing fears head on can be a powerful way to start feeling relieved.
Or the mind can think of people to call, ways of finding help, resources to use, and actions to take in order to reduce or eliminate anxiety.
II. Natural Anxiety Relief through the Body
But the mind can be affected or altered or influenced through the body or through chemistry. Hormones can affect mood. Toxins or disease can throw off metabolic processes in the central nervous system. Blood and oxygen flow matter in the brain. Nutrition affects brain function, and some herbs, amino acids, and vitamins can help one feel calm. We are not necessarily slaves to chemicals, but there is an influence there.
Or mood can also be raised by exercising regularly such as with strenuous walking or Yoga (depending on condition). Nutrition can influence us to feel better or worse emotionally. Magnesium and other mineral supplements have been known to produce a sense of greater calm in some. On the other side, anxiety sufferers should probably avoid caffeine, sugar and alcohol. Beware of soft drinks! But remember lastly that regular optimal sleeping habits should be practiced.
For best sleep, do not eat snacks after 8:00 PM, use a preferred relaxation technique before bed, and be in bed before 11:00 PM regularly. Be aware that snoring (especially sleep apnea) can lower oxygen levels in the brain and have many negative effects on health.
Interestingly, a noticable percentage of anxiety sufferers have low body temperature. This is often thyroid related, and can be corrected as students of Wilson's Temperature Syndrome know.
A simple, but usually effective natural anxiety treatment is slow breathing through the nose from deep down in the lungs. Hyperventilation to some degree is typical of people suffering from anxiety, probably because it is part of a mistaken "fight or flight" response. Hyperventilation can actually increase anxiety symptoms as feelings of unreality, dizziness, light-headedness, and numbness in extremities begin to occur.
Slow nasal breathing via the diaphragm (a muscle sheath below the lungs) increases oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange efficiency in comparison to shallow breathing through the mouth. In anxiety sufferers, the breathing must be self-consciously slowed using regular breathing exercises.
III. Natural Anxiety Relief through the Soul
Of course personal views on the human soul or spirit vary. Arguably there is something in the human will, sense of purpose, determination, self-concept, motive, and so on that affects the body and the brain. And arguably, some effects work conversely too.
In any case, many people the world over say that prayer and meditation have helped give them a sense of calm. Rest may help too, especially if one considers things like an enjoyable distraction or hobby, talking with friends or a walk on the beach as forms of rest from worrisome things.
But sooner or later, the anxious person must confront life. There are those who have overcome difficult cases of anxiety or panic attacks through some form of resolve, a new attitude, or something that may come from deep in the soul.
