Five Natural Ways to Cope with Anxiety

The world we live in is a stressful place, fraught with anxiety producing situations. Worries about the recession, employment, money and retirement, and healthcare have taken their toll on many people, and while there are signs things might be improving, difficult economic conditions have provoked anxiety in many individuals.

The bleak economy combined with personal stressors like relationships and family can lead to a first panic attack or episode of extreme anxiety in sensitive people. Some will turn to prescription medications to deal with panic, while others prefer a natural, non-medicated approach for coping with anxiety.

I’ve experienced anxiety and panic attacks, but I opt for natural ways to cope with anxiety. If you are struggling with feelings of anxiety and panic, see a physician or therapist for a full evaluation and to discuss a treatment plan, as this article is not intended to treat or cure the conditions of general anxiety or panic disorder. If you’re curious about coping strategies for panic and anxiety that don’t involve prescription meds, I share a variety of approaches that have worked for me. Here are five natural ways to cope with anxiety.

Meditative Breathing

Meditation and breathing exercises are powerful natural ways to cope with anxiety. Unfortunately, many anxious people have learned to breathe more rapidly, in a very shallow way from high in their chest, and this type of “chest breathing” can lead to feelings of hyperventilation that exacerbate panic attacks and anxiety. Learning to breathe more slowly and deeply from the abdomen can work wonders to help lessen the panic spiral, producing feelings of deep relaxation and well being.

Explore books, CDs and tapes that teach meditation and abdominal breathing techniques. There are so many kinds of meditation out there; I especially like meditation tapes by Lawrence LeShan, author of “How to Meditate.” In my opinion, meditation that focuses on breath counting is quite useful for coping with anxiety. Once you find the type of meditation that works for you, begin a daily meditation practice and don’t forget to incorporate abdominal breathing exercises into your daily routine. Faithful practice in breathing slowly and deeply from the abdomen while clearing and focusing the mind through meditation techniques can be a very efficient, totally natural way to cope with anxiety.

Spiritual Practice

Cultivating a spiritual practice is another natural way to cope with feelings of panic and anxiety. If you are a religious person, attending services and developing a spiritual practice builds a sense of connectedness and feelings of community that can ease anxiety. For those not on a traditional religious path, an approach to developing spirituality that involves an appreciation of nature, recognition of something Higher and feelings of “Oneness” will help you realize you are not alone with your anxiety, which can be an enormously soothing realization when faced with another panic attack. In my experience, isolation and a sense of separateness provoke anxiety and panic, while feelings of oneness with the Universe and connectedness to others are great antidotes to those panicky feelings of anxiety, dread and despair.