What is Anxiety
Anxiety is a general term for nervousness, fear, apprehension and worry. We all have encountered a really bad day or felt like a complete nervous reck over some stressful situation or personal concern.
The ability to cope when under stress varies from person to person and some of us can turn stressful situations into a mild case of anxiety.
When a case of anxiety crops up one of the most important things to keep in mind is to avoid negative self-talk. Negativity is a common downfall and often reinforces stress to a point of anxiousness when dealing with stressful situations. It becomes the vicious monster that takes control and gobbles you up.
Unfortunately stress is part of the human condition. Learning how to deal with it, live with it, or let it go is the key to not going completely off your rocker.
Natural Remedies and Therapies For Anxiety
Ashwagandha Root 
Ashwagandha is a herb that was first discovered in South Asia thousands of years ago used in ancient Chinese medicine. Popular today, Ashwagandha Root is used as a natural supplement to promote reproductive health, longevity, and stress relief for a variety of bodily systems. Studies have been done to show that this root can help with stress, anxiety, immune support, circulatory health, adrenal support and digestive health.
L-Theanine
L-Theanine is a free (non-protein) amino acid found almost exclusively in tea plants. L-Theanine is involved in the formation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma amino butyric acid (GABA). GABA influences the levels of two other neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin, producing the key relaxation effect. L-Theanine creates a sense of relaxation in approximately 30-40 minutes after ingestion.
Passion Flower
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) was used traditionally in the Americas and later in Europe as a calming herb for anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and hysteria. It is still used today to treat anxiety and insomnia. Scientists believe Passionflower works by increasing levels of a chemical called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA lowers the activity of some brain cells, making you feel more relaxed
Read more: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/passionflower-000267.htm#ixzz20k7bdea
NOTE: Checking with a doctor or pharmacist before using over-the-counter or herbal remedies to see if they contain chemicals that may contribute to anxiety is always a good idea.
Managing Stress and Anxiety
- Keep an eye on pressures and deadlines so that you do not fall behind.
- Commit to taking time away from family issues, study or work.
- Learn a variety of physical relaxation methods and meditation techniques. Practice deep abdominal breathing.
- Learn to replace “negative self talk” with “coping self talk.” Make a list of the negative thoughts you have and write a list of positive, believable thoughts to replace them.
- Picture yourself successfully facing and conquering a specific fear.
- Reduce coffee certain teas, cola, and chocolate consumption.
- Include regular exercise and eating healthy.
- Begin to keep a regular sleep pattern and learn how to create a relaxing environment where you sleep.
- Avoid alcohol, cannabis which contributes to anxiety.
- Talk with a person who is supportive. Seeking counseling and support after a traumatic or disturbing experience is often the first step towards coping with anxiety.
General Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety is very similar to fear with the exception that when fear based we usually know what we are afraid of. When anxious we often can’t put our finger on it. Mild anxiety is somewhat vague where serve anxiety can be completely debilitating.
Anxiety is considered a problem when symptoms interfere with a person’s ability to sleep or otherwise function. Anxiety often occurs when a reaction is out of proportion with what might be normally expected in a situation.
Anxiety disorders present a variety of physical symptoms in addition to non-physical symptoms that characterize the disorders such as excessive, unrealistic worrying. Many of these symptoms are similar to those exhibited by a person suffering general illness, heart attack, or stroke, and this tends to further increase anxiety.
Symptoms Associated with GAD:
- Trembling
- Churning stomach
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Backache
- Heart palpitations
- Numbness or “pins and needles” in arms, hands or legs
- Sweating/flushing
- Restlessness
- Easily tired
- Trouble concentrating
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Frequent urination
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Being easily startled
