Natural Alternative Treatments for Anxiety

Treating the Problem the Conventional Way

Many doctors will advocate taking some sort of pill to deal with the problem. The problem with that is that most medications have bad side effects and are not good for long-term use. So, most people would prefer a holistic approach. Fortunately, there are many natural ways of treating panic attacks.

Alternative Treatments

Often times, a panic attack is merely a symptom of some kind of underlying problem. So, a non-medication means of dealing with it is by speaking with a therapist. Then there are a host of other treatments available. You can try aromatherapy, as it has been shown that numerous scents can have positive effects on your psyche. Hypnosis is also very useful in relieving the major negative effects of a panic attack.

It has been said that laughter is the best medicine, and it is a proven fact that laughing and a general positive attitude will do wonders for your health. After all, it is also said that: “Laugh, and the world laughs with you; cry, and you cry alone”. Laughing releases endorphins and other chemicals that promote good brain activity, and reduce the cortisol levels (the stress hormone) in your brain. There is also the simple act of “plexing”; this is where you tap the spot just below your ear. Here again, it helps to calm you down.

One very simple and direct way of dealing with panic attacks is by the use of controlled breathing. You sit in a quiet room, sit up straight, and then close your eyes. The point here is to focus on your breathing, and nothing else. Very slowly, breathe in through your nose, hold your breath for a count of six or seven, and then slowly let it out through your mouth. Pause a second or two, and then repeat. You do this for about six to ten cycles, and you will be surprised at how much it relaxes you.

If breathing is not enough, you can try yoga, transcendental meditation, or any of a plethora of other kinds of meditation. Then there is also acupuncture and massage. Many different types of physical therapy can help to relax you, ease your stress levels, and improve your sleep patterns.

Sometimes, it is not about taking something to eliminate the stress in your life, it is all about getting rid of something. And, it can be the most innocuous of things: caffeine, refined sugar, chocolate, MSG etc. Or, you could have a food allergy. Things like wheat, eggs, soy, peanuts, shellfish etc. can have all kinds of negatives effects on your body. And, for some people, that means being susceptible to panic attacks. Also, some cosmetics can react with your biochemistry to increase your feelings of stress.

So, once you eliminate the bad stimulants in your diet and on your skin, look to add calming herbs and vitamins. Nice herbal teas like Green Tea and Chamomile are known to be among the best natural treatments for panic attacks. One of the best aspects of these treatments is that they have no real negative side effects, and they cost a great deal less than conventional medications.

There are also herbs like St. Johns Wort, valerian, hops, and lemon balm that are all good at easing your stress levels and helping you to sleep. That brings up another point: sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep is key to good physical and mental health. So, taking a supplement of tryptophan (the ingredient in turkey that makes you sleepy) is a great way to ensure you get the sleep you need.

Also, be sure you take a multi-vitamin supplement every day. Getting the daily recommended levels of important vitamins and minerals are also vital to improving the state of your mental health. It is a proven fact that the B-vitamins, zinc, chromium, vitamins C and E are all important in mental health, and in keeping your brain healthy. One member of the B-vitamins – inositol is specifically useful is helping you to deal with a panic attack.

Then there is the power of the mind; your own mind, that is. Sometimes all it takes is you making up your mind to change yourself. If you can identify what it is about yourself that is causing you to have this episodes, it may be something that you can change easily. In other cases, maybe you can not change yourself, but you can at least take control of your mind when one of these panic attacks hits you. When you feel it coming on, if you are able to sit down, focus on what is troubling you, and just tell yourself to calm down; that can make all the difference in the world.

So, when faced with the problem of panic attacks, do not just rely on your doctor to proscribe a pill, and then take it for the rest of your life! There are alternative available; you only have to surf the Internet to find them. And, don’t feel as if you are locked into just one. If you try herbal tea and don’t see it as completely effective, you have but to try another until you find the one that works best for you.