Hi moms,
There are a LOT of stresses in my life right now, and I am seeing a counselor which is helping. She has not recommended medication, but I know it is available. I have a friend, who I respect, who took it at one time and it saved her sanity. I don't think I'm at that level yet, but my counselor has said that I do carry a level of anxiety that tips me into depression. We're doing cognitive behavior therapy to get a handle on the thoughts that push the emotions that way, but I want to augment the healing if I can.
It's funny, because I'm so used to operating this way, that I don't see the anxiety as clearly as others. I don't define it that way in my head - my picture is a much more freaked out person if you get what I mean.
So I don't want to jump into prescription options, but I was wondering if there are natural ways, other than breathing, etc., that might help a bit? I fear side effects, and am not currently on birth control, so I don't want to mess with prescription level stuff unless I have to. What are your recommendations? Thanks!
I had extreme anxiety with PMS, and my doctor suggested B-complex along with Calcium (I also take Magnesium with it). He said that it helps some women, and does nothing for others. It works amazingly well for me!
I hope you find some relief.
Hi P.,
I've found some great anxiety relief using a Valerian tincture. They are available anyplace that sells health food, etc. I don't use it too often any more, but when I was having massive stomach pains due to anxiety, it really saved me.
My suggestion for using the tincture is to use the lowest dose possible first. Look on the side of the bottle; each brand may be different. It's not an instant fix, but over the course of an hour, you'll become a bit more relaxed. (Valerian is the plant which valium was based on and does not have the overwhelming spacey effect the pharmaceutical does. I can stay focused, cogent and clear with this.)
One word of caution: do not make the mistake of thinking more is better. Like many herbs, a little is fine, more can backfire. A friend described taking more Valerian than recommended and he had huge anxiety and couldn't sleep. So, as I said, err on the lower side of the dosage. And brush your teeth afterward, as it has a strong smell. If you don't care for an alcohol tincture, you can find it with a glycerin base.
Hmmmm....would you consider wine to be natural?
Yoga, guided imagery, breathing techniques.....sometimes just "staying with" the feeling until it passes (because, as you know, it passes) works for people I know who have anxiety....
Good luck!
I like the video that Jeanna posted.. I'll personally try that :)
If you have 20 minutes, please watch this video. There have been studies that show this simple technique lowers cortisol levels by nearly 30% and calms the fight or flight response down in the brain. The man in the video shows step-by-step how you can use the Emotional Freedom Technique or "Tapping" to change your life. Every time I get stressed out or angry in any given moment, I simply do this several times and I calm right down. It also helps with chronic pain.
Nick Ortner on How to Rewire the Brain with EFT
http://youtu.be/ZfZBHWSbrsg
Valerian. Vodka. Wine.
Just keep in mind that "natural remedies" in herbal form can still affect hormonal birth control. Just because something is touted as natural doesn't mean it will be appropriate or good for you.
Meditation/relaxation exercises, tai chi, yoga, and aerobic exercise can all help with this.
Fish oil (omega 3s) can help with depression, though I'm not sure if they are much help with anxiety.
Take a huge breath and breath. If you look up Natural Remedies you can find simple solutions. The one I had my son try was vitamin B, you may be lacking it also Its actually worked for him, that and a good diet and working out . Good luck!
My son carries a lot of stress and I, like you, wasn't interested in putting him on pharmaceuticals. I'm not totally against them, but I believe they are very over-used, and I didn't think he was at that level. I found a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) doc who suggested Calm Spirit (also known as Gan Mai Da Zao Wan). It worked like a charm. I didn't tell anyone we were going to start using it, and within 3 days I received an email from him teacher telling me that he was a totally different kid.
I hope this helps.
My husband gave me some Bath and Body Works things that have "stress relief" on the lable. The bubble bath was nice, but didn't offer the stress releif as much as the spray designed to spray on pillow cases. I can spritz that on a cloth and breathe in the scent for a few minutes, then I feel my jaw relax, then the rest of me starts to relax. I think they still sell it in their stores.
Also, the scent of mint helps me.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet help with depression and I would think anxiety as well.
If you can get up 30 minutes earlier each day and walk - or walk after dinner every night, that helps alot.
Cutting down on raw sugar and caffeine, eating regularly throughout the day, and including fruits and veggies helps.
Finally - vitamin B Complex (or is it B12?) is also supposed to help.
Dietary changes have worked best for me. I am following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info) with my daughter who follows it for autoimmune illnesses. I did it to support her, but the unexpected benefit was that it has helped me too. SCD is pretty restrictive though. You might want to read up on the GAPS diet (www.gaps.me) and the work of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. Her diet uses the principles of the SCD but isn't as restrictive. GAPS = Gut and Psychology Syndrome and helps get your gut flora balanced with the idea that that will help with what is happening in the brain. It is not necessary a lifelong change. Many people follow it for a period of time until they heal their gut.
Regarding the suggestion about Magnesium....read The Magnesium Miracle. Many things can be due to low Magnesium levels but doctors rarely check it.
prozac and xanax...just cut to the chase
