Natural Cures for Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety may contribute to unhappiness and disease, but we often look at it as a natural consequence of life. While we can't avoid all stress, we can certainly treat its ill effects using natural methods. Here are a few ideas to help you through your stress-filled life. Many of these statements have not been approved by the FDA or a doctor, so in cases of major life or supplementation change, it's best to consult a physician.

Attitude and Habit Changes

• Positivity is tough in a world filled with sarcasm and negativity. If you try every day to focus on more positive past achievements and to be more grateful about your current life standing, you will find less stress in your life. Affirmations get a bad rap from parodies such as Stuart Smalley on Saturday Night Live, but repeating "I can handle this" to yourself when encountering a stressful or fearful situation can work wonders. Stepping away from a stressful situation for a second and allowing yourself to relax before re-engaging in it can help you to feel like you're in control and that the situation is less problematic. Stretching, exercising or massage can help to release the tension in your body, which will lead to less mental tension. A hot bath while listening to a relaxation tape sounds kind of corny, but even if you laugh the entire time, you will be relieving stress. Some personal development authors believe that your attitude in reaction to any situation is a choice: you either choose to let your emotions take over or you choose to react in a positive way. If you can choose positivity in a stressful situation, you've already won half the battle.

Vitamins and Herbs

• Being tired can make any situation stressful. Supplementing a B complex vitamin can help raise your energy and improve your nervous system. The muscle tension associated with stress and anxiety can be lessened with the addition of more calcium and magnesium to your diet. To make sure that your adrenal glands are not producing excess hormones, you can use the herbs Siberian or Panax ginseng to improve the function of your adrenal system. Anxiety herbs like kava can help for situations that seem to go on for months. When the stress is accompanied with depression, you can use melatonin or the extract from St. John's wort. Other herbs that may contribute to stress relief are chamomile, golden root, lady's slipper, muira puama, skullcap and valerian.

Other Ideas and Homeopathy

• Try yoga, tai chi, qi gong or any other movement practice that can help you with relaxation. Removing caffeine and alcohol from your diet will allow your body to be more effectively regulated. To reduce the stress and anxiety, talk about your problems with people instead of holding them in. Some homeopathic remedies are in the form of tonics that contain any combination of aconitum napellus, belladonna, calendula officinalis, chelidonium majus, jequirity, vibernum opulus, argentum nitricum, gelesemium sempervirens and ignatia amara. It is best to consult a licensed homeopath before using these types of products.