When our hearts race and our palms sweat, we’re experiencing anxiety. We all know the feeling, but for some, it comes at irrational times and causes stress over seemingly benign situations. These people may have some kind of anxiety disorder, such as general anxiety disorder, or social phobia. To help relieve these illogical symptoms, people usually turn to either pharmaceutical or natural anxiety relief methods.
There are prescriptions for anxiety relief, and many of them are quite effective. But a lot of people don’t want to take drugs unless they have to, so there has been a lot of research into natural anxiety relief, as well. The methods of natural anxiety alleviation generally fall into two categories: behavioral and dietary/natural supplements.
Behavioral anxiety relief is supported by most physicians. While for some people it may not be enough, for others, making some simple changes to their lifestyle can have them feeling better rapidly. And most forms of behavioral anxiety relief are also beneficial to overall health, so even if they don’t end up helping your anxiety, they are still good for you.
Exercise is one of the most commonly referenced behavioral anxiety relief methods. During exercise, the body produces natural endorphins, which are hormones that make us feel good. They reduce both anxiety and depression, and can create the ‘runner’s high’ that people who run often experience.
Meditation is another way to combat anxiety naturally. The ancient Eastern tradition stresses clearing the mind and focusing on the moment, both of which anxiety sufferers may find helpful. A lot of anxiety sufferers report that their thoughts race, and if they can find a way to keep their thoughts calmer, they may also be able to calm down.
Natural remedies for anxiety can be found in dietary supplements. These products are natural, plant, animal or mineral based substances that supposedly effect anxiety in a similar way to a conventional drug. St. John’s Wart has shown some promise at relieving anxiety and depression, and has quite a devoted following. It’s important to remember that supplements can behave like drugs not just in treating anxiety, but also in drug interactions and side effects, as well.
Dragging ourselves out of the world of anxiety is difficult. But there is help, and if you choose not to use conventional medicine, there are many recommendations on effective natural anxiety relief. Just remember that behavioral methods are usually great, but you need to be careful when choosing a supplement, because some of them can have nasty side effects.
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