How to Use Alternative Therapies for Anxiety

Anti-depressants are being prescribed left and right. Some don’t like the idea of taking pharmaceutical remedies, as even doctors don’t know the how and why some of these pills work. There are a number of alternative remedies available for anxiety and mood.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Herbal remedies
• Aromatherapy

1. 

   Take herbal remedies. St. John’s Wort, Valerian, and Gingko Biloba have all been proven effective. Experiment with what works best for you. There are relaxation teas and supplements available.

2. 

   Exercise. Exercise isn’t just to improve physically, but mentally. Getting the blood moving is important for mood elevation.

3. 

   Get plenty of sleep and eat well. A lack of sleep and poor diet can be an emotional drain. Anxiety is hard on the body.

4. 

   Take relaxing baths and listen to relaxing music. Candlelight is more relaxing than harsh, artificial light. Aromatherapy, such as incense, can help as well.

5. 

   Breathe deeply. One method is to breathe in one nostril, while covering the other, then breathing out the other nostril. A very relaxing technique.

6. 

   Acupuncture and acupressure have shown to be mood elevators. Hypnosis has also shown to be effective. These methods will work better for some and not for others. You have to trust the process and not be overly skeptical.

7. 

   Use Bach Flower Remedies—there are different concoctions available for different types of anxiety. An alternative therapist specializing in Bach Flower Remedies can help find the best solution.

Tips & Warnings

• You have to cut out things that lead to anxiety, if at all possible—a bad relationship or bad work environment. This does not mean quitting your job, but altering how you handle problems on the job. This also means altering how you think about yourself—don’t obsess about your mistakes, past and present. Negative thoughts can be self-fulfilling.
• Eat food high in potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous—these are all depleted by anxiety and stress. Some of these are broccoli, bananas, asparagus, fish, soy, and grains.
• Yoga and meditation also relieve the body of stress.
• If you are having severe problems with anxiety and mood, consult a doctor. Talk to a licensed therapist.

[kooka]

on 9/28/2007 It is about time that we stopped running to the medicos for the magical medicine and looked at other alternatives. If 1 out of 4 in Australia are suffering from stress, then we need to find simple ways of addressing it, instead of permitting it to overwhelm us.

[kooka]

on 9/28/2007 Good to see that people are thinking of other ways as it seems to be quite acceptable now to act agressively in the workplace.

[caxbecca]

on 8/11/2007 I think this is great, but you should mention that a lot of herbal remedies can still interfere with medications you may be taking for other illnesses and such, so ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TRYING ANYTHING NEW!