In this day and age who hasn't had at least the occasional bout with anxiety? Some people deal with it on a daily basis and for some it blows up into a full blow anxiety disorder. Whatever the case may be for you just know that you're not alone and that you don't have to live your life constantly hopped up on sedatives or even turn to alcohol just to relax. Here is a list that I have complied of natural alternatives to benzodiazepines/antidepressants
1) Chamomile- This herb has been used as a traditional medicine dating back thousands of years. You can drink it as a soothing tea or take it in a capsule form. Large doses may causes drowsiness. I personally have enjoyed chamomile found in the drink neurobliss for stress relief. A small number of people may be allergic to chamomile so start in small doses.
2) L-Theanine is an amino acid (found naturally in green tea) that helps transmit nerve impulses in the brain. I personally love the chewable l-theanine by the brand natural factors.
3) Hops is frequently used for those who suffer from insomnia that is partnered with anxiety.
4) Valerian aids in falling asleep and helps with relaxation. When I personally tried it I awoke 1 hour after I took it and had heart palpitations which I later learned is a reaction some people have. I no longer use it but still wanted to include it since it has helped many others.
5) Lemon Balm helps to increase calmness and awareness.
6) Exercise---a no brainer! Even if you're out of shape or tired just start by walking 10-15 minutes every day and then add 1 minute onto your plan every day. Or you could also start out slow by trying yoga or tai chi.
7) EFT, which stands for Emotional Freedom Technique is a great way to clear your energy field and release stuck emotions. I don't want to divert too much into EFT in this article but I suggest that you look it up on youtube and google it. Brad Yates is one of my favorites and he has a long list of youtube videos.
8) Passionflower is a favorite of mine. It tastes great when you drink it as a tea. I mix mine half and half with lemonade and it turns into a great afternoon stress-buster!
9) Lavender comes in an essential oil form that can be dabbed onto your pressure points or taken in a soft gel form. It can be used at any time of the day that you'd like to relax and doesn't seem to have any side effects.
10) Take a deep breath in on 7 counts and then breath out on 11 counts. It's easy to remember, just think instead of "taking 5" take 7-11.
11) Eat something! Sometimes low blood sugar can be the cause of your anxiety. It's best to eat every 2-3 hours and keep your blood sugar levels stable. When the sugar levels dip too low the body shoots out adrenaline which then leads to anxiety. Many may be suffering from hypoglycemia and not even realize it and think that they are just dealing with a case of the nerves.
I hope that this gets you off to a good start and feel free to post any comments or questions in the comments below!
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