Natural Anti-Anxiety Remedy

Anxiety is a state of mental distress in which one feels that something bad is about to happen, or that he or she is about to lose control over a situation. This state of mind has physical ramifications, including sweating, nausea, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, and severe headaches. The body releases unnecessary adrenaline in a state of anxiety, as it prepares for conflict. The following natural, non-prescriptive methods may not eliminate anxiety, but they will aid greatly in coping with anxiety attacks.

Herbs

• Herbal remedies are a good natural and inexpensive way to alleviate anxiety. The most popular herbal remedy is chamomile, often found in tea form, although make certain that any chamomile tea you purchase is caffeine-free. Brew chamomile strongly, and let it steep for at least 10 minutes.

  Kava kava is another popular herbal remedy, used not only to lessen anxiety but also to induce sleep. If you take a pill-extract form, find a capsule that contains at least 30% kava kava, and for anxiety relief throughout the day, take three interspersed doses of 250 mg with food. Taking large regular doses over an extended period is not recommended; think of it as a temporary, natural crutch during a stressful period.

  A third popular herbal remedy is valerian root. Like kava kava, valerian root is helpful in treating sleep problems as well as anxiety. It is also, like kava kava, not recommended in large, regular doses over a prolonged period. Three daily doses of 150 mg each are generally thought to be safe and helpful.

Exercise

• One of the overlooked benefits of exercise is its ability to soothe a person after a workout. Exercise daily and strenuously for at least a half an hour. Jogging, weightlifting, swimming laps, cross-country skiing, and hiking on moderate to extreme inclines can all help induce sufficient fatigue in jittery individuals.

Meditation

• In conjunction with hearty and regular exercise, meditating daily for anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes is an excellent way of inducing calm and bringing a renewed sense of control over one's thought patterns. For some, meditation is a religious experience. For others, it can be as simple as sitting in a quiet room, perhaps accompanied by soft, unobtrusive music, and visualizing soothing imagery. Save these brief interludes for right before typically stress-inducing events, such as meetings, public speaking engagements, and job interviews.

Controlled Breathing

• Dr. Andrew Weil recommends the 4-7-8 Breathing Method: First, breathe out, emptying the lungs completely. Next, keeping your mouth closed, inhale through your nose, counting to four. Hold your breath for seven seconds, and then exhale through the mouth for eight seconds. Repeat three times, resulting in four total breaths.

  As with meditation, the 4-7-8 Breathing Method is most effective right before an anxiety-producing event.