I’m always looking for natural ways to help anxiety and stress. Both in myself and with clients.
I was in my 50’s before I finally realized I’d been struggling with anxiety all my life but never recognized it. That shocked me so much I decided to help others see if they too were experiencing unacknowledged anxiety, and if so, offer holistic help for reducing anxiety.
Anxiety is the mind’s way of observing a danger (the stress) and telling the body to prepare to fight or run. Fear activates the Sympathetic Nervous System, raising heart rate and blood pressure, releasing adrenaline, and stopping ALL non-essential work until the danger has passed.
This means digestion, sleep, immunity, repair and detoxification get placed on hold until you’re calmer….
How Do I Know If I am Experiencing Chronic Anxiety?
My personal definition of anxiety is this: do you have recurring fear of failure or disappointing others? Fear of loss of control? A sense of possible danger in everyday life or in big decisions? To me, failure, loss of control and danger all represent “little deaths”. Death of that job, death of that relationship, or the death of a certain lifestyle.
If your brain is thinking “deaths”, your nervous system must prepare for the worst. Elevated pulse, high cortisol, insomnia, indigestion and muscle tension are part of your battle plans.
What Happens If This Continues?
Eventually, you can exhaust your adrenals and wear down the GABA-producing neurotransmitter in the brain, producing insufficient levels of that wonderful neurotransmitter that keeps you calm, stable and happy. Having experienced chronic adrenal fatigue and many symptoms of GABA deficiency I can promise you that prevention is much preferred!
So How Can I Help Stop This Fear and Worry?
Here’s 5 natural ways to help anxiety and stress….
1). Use your Rational Mind. (Yes, you really do have one!) Is the loss of this relationship really going to ruin your life? If you miss the start of the movie, is that really so bad? If you run out of food for the party, does anyone really care?
The more you can see the truth, the easier it is to accept. It’s what so, and speeding to the movie on a crowded freeway won’t help reduce your anxiety. Accept what is, even if it’s bad news, and acknowledge that tomorrow can bring a new insight into this. In fact, celebrate that tomorrow can bring a new insight!
2). Take Passion Flower extract (here’s the one we use in our clinic in alcohol or glycerite tincture form). It’s safe for everyone except young children and you can take it as often as desired. It’s the most popular product at my Diet and Health Center in San Antonio.
Most clients keep multiple bottles – at home, work, car, etc. I also suggest the great herb combo from Systemic Formulas called N3 – Relaxa. I sell this Professional Grade Chamomile Extract in my clinic and online store here. Gentle but helpful day or night. Or try California Poppy extract or Holy Basil (also known as Tulsi). All these will physically calm you while you get your mind in order. Relief!
3). Become aware of whose voice is driving you to be perfect or to respond instantly to all demands. Could that voice be Mom, Dad, coaches, former relationships? Once you identify those voices, try to literally hear their voice scolding you so you can identify it for the outdated intruder that it is.
Once you identify that voice as an unwelcome intruder, it’s easier to ignore it and respond more calmly.
Learn positive self-talk and use it liberally. I don’t use sky-high affirmations such as “I will make a million dollars this month”. I reward myself by thinking of the people I have helped (rather than those I have not), and the good things happening, even if it’s something simple like getting the roof leak repaired.
4). Learn to say NO with grace and dignity. “I’m so sorry I won’t be able to co-host the event but I certainly look forward to seeing you there”. “Thanks for inviting me to the movie, but I have a long day at work. How about Saturday?”
5). Rest. Eat. (No fasting!). Slow down your breathing. (Read this blog post on over-breathing). Learn EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques). Have your adrenal Cortisol levels tested to see if they are too high. If you are chronically anxious, do not over-exercise or exercise competitively. Just have fun and move your body. Learn to be more peaceful and relax. Take charge of your mind and body, and put a smile on your face whenever you can.
