Post by Joanna on Jul 1, 2014 5:53:32 GMT -5
Home Remedies for Anxiety Attacks
We all may get anxious sometimes, however, some people are more prone to anxiety. They become chronically anxious. The mind is often in a state of feeling fear about something vague or unclear. Anxiety can however be relieved to a great extent using simple remedies. The main objective is to provide relief and relaxation so that the condition of chronic anxiety can be relieved.
What is Anxiety? It is actually a mood, an emotion which emanates from the brain. It is often related to some responsibility, or premonition that the person experiences. In most cases, anxiety is normal. Like when you are going to fly for the first time, you may get anxious. However, recurring incidents of anxiety, especially when you know that there is hardly anything to be anxious about is a matter of concern. Such a condition is termed as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). It is caused when the person cannot control his or her vague feelings and falls prone to nervousness.
Mild anxiety can be overcome by relaxation and deep breathing, but some people suffer from anxiety attacks, extended periods of severe anxiety that interfere with normal daily activities. The biggest problem with anxiety is the effect it has on the confidence of a person.
Symptoms. It can lead to heavy, fast breathing, dizzy vision, restlessness, sweaty palms and feet in addition to feelings of anxiety, worry and fear.
Home Remedies
Anxiety is a complicated disorder, but it can be dealt with by making use of certain natural substances.
1. Chamomile tea. In ancient times, people used chamomile to calm the body and especially the mind. Taking chamomile tea is in fact one of the best home remedies for anxiety. It helps one to sleep well and also helps prevent panic or anxiety attacks. Chamomile contains a substance called apigenin, which is one of the finest anxiolytics (anxiety reducer) in nature. If you suspect you have an anxiety disorder, drink 3 cups of chamomile tea each day. This should calm the nervousness, rumination and fretting over past events.
2. Green tea. When one needs to relieve anxiety, drink any tea. It helps mild anxiety and provides relaxation. Green tea contains an amino acid called L-theanine which has anxiety-relieving properties. Drink about 4 to 6 cups of green tea each day for this effect.
3. Talk to someone. This someone could be a good friend, your life partner, a sibling or even a casual acquaintance. When we are overburdened with feelings of guilt, remorse, or something we do not want to face, anxiety creeps in. Talking to someone and blurting out what you feel inside is a great way to relieve the burden. This should relieve the anxiety attack.
4. Muscle control. Many times anxiety strikes a person when he or she is outside where there are no handy home remedies to control the attack. This can happen on a bus, on high towers, in fast trains, on a flight etc. Use your brain to control and flex every muscle group one by one.Target the neck, then the biceps, forearm muscles, chest muscles, abs, hamstring, calf, fingers, etc. This provides a sense of consciousness and alertness which can relieve an anxiety attack quickly. Anxiety often worsens when we give into it, allowing the mind to dull. The act of twitching your muscles with the mind boosts alertness, thus driving anxiety away.
5. Nutmeg powder in a orange juice. Nutmeg is a spice used to produce a powder. Take a teaspoon of nutmeg powder and dissolve it in a full glass of orange juice. Take this only once a day. Nutmeg should not be taken by children and pregnant women. Take it only when you are sure you have anxiety. It works because nutmeg is a psychoactive spice with the ability to send a person into a state of “euphoria” if taken in large doses. Nutmeg can promote a “feel good” factor and relax the mind, allowing it to ease the anxiety. It may also lead to hallucinations. If this happens, you should reduce the dosage to ½-teaspoon. The compound myristicin is responsible for many of the effects of nutmeg.
6. Exercise. Many people experience relief from anxiety by exercising regularly. It is known that exercise improves mood and well-being. This way it contributes to lower anxiety and stress. So, keep walking, running, jogging, cycling, weight training and any form of exercise or sport you like. Research indicates it takes about 20 minutes after finishing exercise for the effects to kick-in. Some exercises, like running, can also lead to a state of euphoria and exhilaration, which counteracts anxiety.
7. Entertainment. One can dull the negative or anxiety-promoting thoughts emerging within the mind by listening to music, watching TV or reading. In the past, many women knitted or did other needlework when they felt anxious.
8. Lavender oil scent. Use fresh lavender flowers or artificial lavender scent to calm the mind. Lavender has a wonderful, soothing smell. Keep it close at hand. Lavender essential oil, just 2 to 3 drops can be placed on a cloth or handkerchief and smelled to relieve an anxiety attack.
9. Hot bath. If one suffers an anxiety attack at home, then a hot water or a steam bath will help. This is by far the simplest and one of the most highly effective home remedies for anxiety attacks. It relieves strained muscles, dilates blood vessels, heart palpitations ease and the person feels normal again.
10. Meditation. One can learn the art of meditation and use it to calm anxiety-producing feelings. It is a sort of new learning which is very useful in every aspect of life. You can’t just sit at home and meditate, it is a separate from of relaxation. It is the act of putting one’s mind in a new realm, making it alert as well as calm at the same time. Mediation must be learned and there are different varieties such as Yoga, an ancient Indian technique of restoring health. Yoga details methods to exercise as well as meditate. The best way to learn Yoga is by taking a class. Tai chi is one of the martial arts in which the warrior pays attention to senses and invisible energies.
11. Cut the coffee. People who experience anxiety disorders should drink less coffee, or cut out coffee all together. We all know coffee makes us jittery, but people who are prone to anxiety become all the more anxious. Cutting down on daily coffee intake can reduce the frequency and severity of anxiety attacks.
12. Eat for melatonin. This diet is aimed at restoring natural levels of melatonin, a hormone that regulates our sleep and wak cycle (the circadian rhythm). When this natural cycle is disturbed, the mind is not at peace. In fact, the most common cause of melatonin imbalance is awakening during the night. Foods that contain melatonin and boost its levels include bananas, grapes, oranges, brown rice, corn and turkey. These foods help the body boost its levels of melatonin. As a result, one starts to feel sleepy at the right time in a sufficiently darkened room. Melatonin is also called “hormone of darkness” as it is secreted when the lights are out. Normal levels of melatonin allow the brain to relax.
Source: HomeRemediesLook.
