I’m sure you’ve experienced the blues now and again. Who hasn’t, right? Have you ever noticed that when you’re feeling down or depressed you also feel tired? Most people do. That’s because your emotional and mental health can both affect your physical health. This is especially true for people who suffer from an anxiety disorder.
For most people anxiety occurs when you are facing some sort of stress like an unhappy job, divorce or even medical problems. Anxiety is also helpful in an emergency. In these situations, anxiety is no fun, but it can be beneficial. It makes you feel more alert and decisive.
In severe cases, anxiety disorders can cause you to feel afraid to do normal activities like going to work or out shopping. You might feel achy, dizzy, jittery, or tired all the time. Your pulse might be elevated. You may even have difficulty breathing. If this sounds familiar, trust me, you are not alone.
Nearly 9% of Americans suffer from an anxiety disorder at any given time—for many it is a temporary condition or one that comes and goes. But for some, it becomes a controlling force in their life.
My Top Natural Choices For Dealing With Mild Anxiety
If you persistently worry about everything then you may have an anxiety disorder. You can take steps to alleviate these worries by using natural supplements proven to calm nerves and boost feelings of well being.
St John’s Wort is widely used in Europe to treat anxiety as well as mild to moderate depression. Research shows that people experiencing mild, seasonally triggered depression (also known as the winter blues) respond well to St. John’s wort.
Another study shows that St. John’s wort effectively relieves the symptoms of anxiety and the feelings of agitation that often come with it. Most people don’t experience any side affects with St. John’s wort. However, some people do find that their skin is more sensitive to sunlight while taking it. It can also interfere with prescription antidepressants, so talk with your doctor about it first.
Valerian Root works to both relieve anxiety and to help you get a good night’s sleep. If you suffer with an anxiety disorder, both actions are helpful. Too often anxiety and insomnia go hand-in-hand.
Passionflower comes from a tropical plant and like so many herbal remedies has a long medicinal history. It’s been used for centuries to relieve anxiety. Studies support this use. In one study, passionflower was compared with oxazepam in the treatment of anxiety. Passionflower performed as well as the drug, but with fewer side effects.
Magnolia Officinalis is another herbal supplement that assists with anxiety. Both women and men experiencing anxiety found that they felt better and slept better when they took a supplement containing magnolia officinalis.
In one controlled study the results were significant with two thirds of the women reporting an improvement in their feelings compared with just 20% in the placebo group.
When to Seek Help
If your levels of anxiety become so severe that they lead to panic attacks or depression, I recommend that you seek help. And interestingly, sixty-five percent of people with anxiety disorders that receive the help of a therapist are able to overcome their problems. So don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
Stay well,
Mark Rosenberg, M.D.
Photo Credit: danielsblog.org
