what are some good natural ways to manage anxiety?

Question

I have irrational fears and a co-dependancy problem that is causing fights with my husband....he tries to be understanding but it is hard on him too. I dont want to take meds because they have too many side effects.

Answer 1

Anxiety is no fun. Whether it be a touch of stage fright, to an incapacitating severe anxiety disorder, we all suffer from it.

As a result, quite apart from the misery it can cause us and our family, it has a huge economic impact - causing days off work, medical insurance claims, etc.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

There are several different anxiety disorders, each with their own symptoms and treatments. One of these anxiety disorders is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). People who are suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder will be experiencing a continued type of tension that prevents them from leading a normal life. They will be worried about the smallest things, even when there is no reason for worrying at all. They will find themselves worrying about family, money, work, or their own health.


People who suffer from GAD will find it impossible to relax and will find that they are often tired and irritable. People with GAD often suffer from other types of mental health problems, such as depression, and will often be substance abusers.



Another anxiety disorder present on the spectrum is panic disorder. People suffering from panic disorder will experience panic attacks, where they develop an overwhelming and unrealistic fear that they are in some type of danger. As a result of the panic attack these people may develop phobias specific to certain conditions, a social phobia or even agoraphobia. These phobias are unnatural, uncontrollable, and overpowering. People with the phobias will go to great extremes to avoid the situation or object.

A person that has a social phobia will avoid many types of social situations that make them afraid and cause a panic attack. This includes meeting new people or speaking in public. Agoraphobia will cause a person to be fearful of being in a situation where they may have difficulty in escaping or where they may feel some type of embarrassment.

In extreme cases of agoraphobia a person may have great difficulty in leaving what they think is the safety of their home. When a person with an anxiety disorder has a specific phobia they will be afraid of a particular object such as dogs or spiders. They often are aware that their fear is unnatural and unwarranted but will still be unable to overcome their feelings of fear.

Yet another anxiety disorder is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Symptoms include having irrational thoughts that cause the person great anxiety. They obsess about things such as germs and constantly wash their hands. Or they may check the stove over and over in fear of having left it on. These people also know that they are acting in irrational ways, but without medication or other medical attention, they will be unable to stop behaviors.

Individual suffering with OCD often develop ritual behaviors that they carry out compulsively. Many times these ritual behaviors can take up to an hour or two to complete each day resulting in a huge amount of upheaval in their life.

Any type of anxiety can cause and individual to feel great distress. However, proper treatment and management of the symptoms are available. If you are someone you love suffers from anxiety, don't be afraid to consult with a professional, such as a doctor, psychologist or therapist.

Answer 2

Anxiety sucks, believe me I know. When you get nervous take a few deep breaths and count to ten. If that doesn't work then counciling may be a good idea. You don't have to take medication for this problem, many people manage their anxiety without. Exercise every day as well, it will help you to build up your confidence. Also, tell yourself everyday that you are a strong person and that your will shall prevail. Take each step in stride, and don't rush into it that will only cause more anxiety. Also, strike out and do things you aren't afraid to do on your own, this will help you to divine the confidence to do the things you are nerveous to do. Another good technique is to place yourself into a place inside your mind which causes you to feel safe and then do what you must while keeping that safe place in your mind. No fear is irrational, because it isn't what you fear, it's the fear itself you should be afraid of.

Answer 3

I had anxiety after high school. It was terrible. I know you don't want to take meds but, I took Paxil at 20 mg and then 30 mg for only 3 months and I haven't had any major panic attacks or anxiety since. That was more than 5 years ago. AND, I didn't have ANY side effects from Paxil. Another thing, greasy fried food and cause anxiety. So can smoking and drinking While taking the meds I cut out all greasy foods, cut back on smoking and drinking and it helped. I have come close to having a panic attack but, I have learned that it is all in my head and I know that I just need to breathe and stay calm. It may sound harder than it is but, it really is not.

Answer 4

noni juice worked very well when i tried it. the problem was the taste...ewwwww. i managed to handle it for a month, i loved the effects, it DOES work, but the flavor was such that i could not bring myself to take another dose of it. exercising until you are really tired works well too. if you feel an attack coming on, get up and do something you wouldnt normally do that raises your heartrate, such as my favorite which is getting out a bowl of soapy water and a sponge and scrub all the kitchen cabinet doors until they sparkle. the next time i will do the kitchen floor by hand and really work at it so that i'm getting a workout. you could also crank up the music and dance around the house until you cant anymore. when i was first diagnosed with panic/anxiety the doctor gave me a prescription for tai bo tapes. i worked out hard with them and it did work until i broke my ankle doing other things. ive been dealing with this for over 10 years so i'm trying to think of everything that has worked in the past. good luck, if you need someone to talk to i'm always around somewhere.

Answer 5

You admitting "irrational" fears and "co-dependency" tells me you are rational of your thoughts at least in the logic area of your brain. You may not want to take meds, but there is a lot of meds dealing with depression, and anxiety disorders that are really good. There is a stigma for some people to take such medicine. They seem to think you are weak or crazy. Those people are ignorant and not worth your worry. You may have a chemical imbalance in your brain, and if that is the case meds is definitely the way to go! Basically, TALK TO A DOCTOR! Don't let it get any worse!

Answer 6

Listening to your favorite music is a great method of reducing stress and relieving anxiety. Your individual preference in music determines which types of soothing sounds will best reduce your tension, blood pressure, and promote feelings of tranquility. Pay attention to how you feel when you hear a particular song or genre of music, and keep listening to the ones that produce a relaxing effect.

Answer 7

The first and foremost thing that you ought to have on your mind is the love that you have for your husband. It will go a long way to overcome your irrational fears and co-dependency for you to sit down and write what they are. As you are writing, reflect on what logic there is in being afraid of them. It also helps to talk them out together (don't throw them at each other) or get professional help.

President Theodore Roosevelt once said, "So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself -- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

Address the real underlying causes for your fear, eliminate them, and live without them. Get the book "The Power of the Subconscious Mind" by Dr Joseph Murphy. It is very enlightening in this regard.

If you feel the need to take something for your anxiety, try Herbalife Relax Now.

Answer 8

Maybe you would like to try some relaxation therapy such as taking deep breaths and counting to ten before speaking or maybe buying some relaxation tapes to help you cope with the tension. If this all fails try talking to your doctor about possibly putting you on a nerve pill.

Answer 9

Relax Now Herbalife

Answer 10

Your doctor knows best. If he or she had prescribed a med for you, then its for the best. As for stress and anxiety, you should consider prayer. If you arent a spiritual person, then ask yourself this question. "What on earth am I here for?" I suggest a book by Mike Warren called -The Purpose Driven Life-. It changed my life and it could be the answer you are looking for.
God bless!