We are raised in a society where we often take pills to relieve our current anxiety, ailment, or illness. Often, we don’t think about the harmful effects, both in the long and short term, that these pills can have. Whether it is a prescription or an over the counter medication, these pills can be extremely bad for our bodies and minds and, in some cases, can cause more harm than good. Instead of simply medicating, we should try to analyze our recurring issues and target the root(s) of them. We should try to solve the cause of the issue, not just temporarily numb the symptoms. This can be done through a combination of lifestyle alterations, such as incorporating workouts into your life, changing up your diet, sleep cycle, work schedules, and a variety of other factors. But, for more immediate effects, homeopathic pills, oils and supplements can be incredibly powerful substances to help cure your current condition. Although many think these cannot be as powerful as a pharmaceutical pill, when used correctly, they can do the same job with minimal side effects and are definitely better for your overall health.
Anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses. We often treat this condition with benzodiazepines and other harmful and highly addictive pills. Yet, we have ability to treat this common and often debilitating illness with naturally found plants, herbs and oils. We can also implement lifestyle changes like removing oneself from the environment that is fostering your anxiety and allowing it to grow.
One great switch to make in order to mitigate anxiety is switching from coffee to green tea. Going totally caffeine free can be hard for a lot of people. But coffee can bring immediate and intense feelings of energy and increased anxiety. Green tea is considered a “slow release” type of caffeine. Because of its chemical makeup, the caffeine in green tea releases over a longer period of time compared to coffee and has a steady, gentle caffeination effect without the intensity of coffee.
I personally am not a caffeine drinker because it gives me such bad anxiety. I don’t drink coffee and on rare occasions I will drink black tea. I have found by breaking the cycle of caffeine (I used to drink a lot more in high school), my body has learned to function great without it. I get adequate sleep and wake up refreshed in the morning. Of course, I know that isn’t possible for everyone. But I do know that pounding down a lot of caffeine will give you the jitters and result in much higher levels of anxiety.
Another great ingredient to treat anxiety is with Kava. Kava is a plant that is extracted and made into oils, teas, tablets and other products. Although it must be taken in small amounts (as large amounts can be toxic to your liver) it is used as a highly effective way to treat immediate anxiety. Many claim it is just as effective in treating anxiety as prescription drugs.
Lavender has proven to be another natural plant that is highly effective in treating anxiety. Unlike prescriptions drugs such as Ativan or Xanax, Lavender does not cause drowsiness, is not addictive and does not lead to dependency. Lavender can be taken in the form of capsules or oil. Capsules are often better as there is a given dose for usage, unlike oils. Lavender tea is also a great way to incorporate this herb into your day! You can also try getting a lavender oil spray or mist, and spritzing your pillow before you sleep. This will soothe you and help calm you down before you go to bed. Using lavender oil in a bath before you go to sleep has a similar effect.
Another great option is incorporating yoga, meditation or any type of endorphin-releasing exercise such as walking, biking and running– are all great ways to mitigate anxiety. Sugars and alcohol can also play a role in increasing your anxiety. Cutting out these two things, which can cause spikes in your blood sugar levels and hormones, can help to decrease the likelihood of anxiety symptoms.
I have struggled with anxiety over the years and seen a few different therapists and doctors. Luckily, I’ve gotten to the point where I rarely suffer from anxiety anymore. I know for a fact– from personal experience– I can trace every moment of debilitating anxiety to a source. Usually, my anxiety came from something in my personal life. Whether it was work, an ex-boyfriend, school, fighting with friends. I tend to be the type of person where those things affect me very deeply and can seemingly bring my life to a screeching halt. Something I have found that helps me– and after working with professionals in the treatment of anxiety without medication– is to simply turn off your phone and go for a walk around the neighborhood. Sometimes, I’ll keep the phone but only to play relaxing music as I enjoy the outdoors. It is very difficult to remind yourself in times of anxiety and stress, that there is more out there for you to see, that things will come back around and you will be okay. So sometimes, just turning everything off and coming back down to Earth really helps. Reading a good self-help book is also something I recommend. I recommend turning all your technology off; tell your friends/ family you are going to have some me time and will be unavailable or unreachable for an hour. And then go walk around. Try to remind yourself that you have felt that anxiety before, the pain before, and it’s not new to you. This will also help to remind you that you have gotten through it before… and that you can get through it again. Then, when you’re feeling calmer, try to reflect and figure out what made you feel that way and who or what you can cut out so those feelings don’t re-occur.
Work Cited:
“Anxiety and Panic Attacks Tamed by Homeopathy – Homeopathy Plus.” Homeopathy Plus. Homeopathy Plus, 14 July 2014. Web. 06 May 2016.
Boyles, Salynn. “Kava for Anxiety: Is Short-Term Use Safe?” WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 06 May 2016.
“Lavender Reduces Signs of A
nxiety in Women – Natural Health Advisory.” Natural Health Advisory. Natural Health Advisory Institute, 11 Apr. 2016. Web. 06 May 2016.
“LAVENDER: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings – WebMD.” WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 06 May 2016.
Siena, Dustin. “The Magic of Green Tea: An Ancient Panacea for a Modern World.” Acupuncture Today. Acupuncture Today, n.d. Web. 06 May 2016.