In a world that’s full of distractions and instant gratuity, it can be hard to be happy and present in the here and now. Even outside the distractions that are constantly bombarding us, how do we stop worrying about what has happened and what may happen in the future? Being present is a struggle, but to get you started, take a look at these simple tips to try and be in the here and now.
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5 Herbal Remedies to Relieve Anxiety
Millions of Americans suffer from anxiety, and too often, pharmaceutical intervention is considered the first step in treatment. More and more people, however, are choosing to take control of their own health and wellness by choosing more natural remedies.
Non-drug anxiety interventions like yoga, meditation, and herbs can offer you effective anxiety management more holistically to leave you feeling less unbalanced and ready to face life’s trials.
What anxiety really is–or isn’t.
For a condition that so many people struggle with, there’s a lot of misinformation about what anxiety actually feels like. It is not, necessarily, a feeling of fear or fright as some people believe. In fact, it can look like a range of actions and emotions, from mild but constant trepidation to irrational anger and overwhelming feelings of dread. In addition, anxiety is often associated with depression, creating an even trickier mental health issue to manage.
Why People Choose Herbs To Manage Their Anxiety
In addition to nutrition, our ancestors found that some plants offered certain properties that were beneficial to their health and well-being, making plants humanity’s first medicines. These plants have enjoyed use for centuries, without the addictive properties or intense psychoactive experiences offered by many anxiety drugs. People who choose to use herbs to support their body’s needs do so for a more holistic answer to wellness or in addition to the treatments offered by modern medicine.
Herbal Anxiety Remedies
It’s important to understand that there is no single “right way” to manage anxiety, especially with herbal remedies. While one popular herb may do nothing for you, another choice which others feel is ineffective could be your ticket to better mental wellness. The following, in no particular order, are some of the most often cited and most commonly available natural, plant-based remedies for anxiety.
- Kava Kava – The Kava plant comes from the Polynesian Islands area of the Pacific Ocean. There, it has been used for its ability to calm and sedate users for centuries. Limited studies have indicated that it can help treat anxiety, aid sleep, ease pain, and promote a more positive demeanor. Available in most health food stores in both the capsule form and as raw roots, it’s also a popular tea additive found in regular grocery stores. While limited use is generally considered safe, heavy use kava that has been refined with organic solvents could pose a risk to your liver.
- Kratom – Sometimes compared to Kava, but actually quite different, Kratom is gaining a loyal following for a variety of conditions. If you’ve heard of Kratom, it was most likely for its potential to aid those seeking to break the cycle of opioid addiction. Native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree are used by locals as a pain reliever, to calm the mind, and as a stimulant to help them get through the day. Those who use it to support the treatment of their anxiety cite its ability to help them feel both energetic and calmly positive as the keys to their success.
- Cannabis – More and more people are turning to legal cannabis to manage the symptoms of their anxiety and a host of other conditions. While its reputation has taken a hit the past hundred years, for thousands of years before that humans have used hemp for a variety of health conditions. More and more states are choosing to let their residents take advantage of legal marijuana. Meanwhile, the US federal government legalized industrial hemp and derivative products like high-quality CBD with the 2018 Farm Bill, following the footsteps of other countries around the world.
- Valerian – Valerian flowers are small, sweet-smelling pink and white blooms, whereas the root of the plant smells like used sweatsocks you forgot about in your gym bag. The root has also proven itself as a reliable sedative and anxiolytic. You’ll find valerian in the ingredients lists of many bedtime teas, sleep supplements, and calming blends wherever you buy vitamins. It helps promote relaxation and calmness, making it the right daily support for those suffering from regular anxiety.
- Chamomile – These small daisy-like blossoms are a staple of herbal remedies. Chamomile tea is frequently cited as a sleep aid because it relaxes and soothes, the same properties you want when fighting anxiety. If you’re on blood thinners, you’ll want to avoid this flower as a natural remedy, but otherwise, it presents a generally safe, mild starting point to treating your anxiety holistically.
Retaking Control Of Your Life
Managing anxiety can be a complicated and draining experience. It’s important to give yourself not just the herbal support but the holistic wellness support you need to break free of its clutches. That means self-care. While that includes interventions, such as these herbal remedies, don’t discount the importance of your regular maintenance. A balanced diet, exercise, and keeping up with daily personal hygiene will all help you get back on track.
Treating anxiety is not a destination but a journey for many people, and herbal remedies can be just what’s needed to help you on your way.
About the Author:
Tess DiNapoli is an artist, freelance writer, and content strategist. She has a passion for yoga and often writes about health and wellness, but also enjoys covering the fashion industry, collaborating with industry insiders and designers, getting insight on the latest trends.
How to NOT Be Judgmental on Social Media
It’s common knowledge that social media has changed the way we seek and share information. Unfortunately, a lot of people think it gives them carte blanche to express their views without restraint, thus spawning a breed of trolls, and a new culture of passing judgment on the internet in the meanest, rudest and nastiest ways possible.
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Spring Cleaning the Mind in 3 Steps
The busy mind gets bogged down with so many things that thinking becomes a chore. When you don’t spring clean your mind, you can almost visualize the clutter of thoughts that compete for space in your head. This often leads to frustration and burnout at home or at work resulting in doing too many things simultaneously and achieving nothing.
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Tips for Destressing at Your Desk
When our work leaves us feeling stressed, it is often caused by excessive pressures or demands that are placed upon us, such as tight deadlines, additional responsibilities or organisational changes. For many people, this stress isn’t something that they can leave behind at the end of a working day. Instead, it goes on to impact other areas of their life, such as their sleep, mood, relationships, appetite as well as their health.
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Alternative Treatments for Depression: Are They Effective?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression affects an estimated one in 15 adults (6.7%) in any given year. And one in six people (16.6%) will experience depression at some time in their life. But what exactly is depression? Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home. Symptoms must last at least two weeks for a diagnosis of depression. The good news is that this illness is also treatable.
While the exact cause of depression isn’t known, a number of things can be associated with its development. Generally, depression does not result from a single event, but from a combination of biological, psychological, social and lifestyle factors. Although depression can happen at any age, it often develops in adulthood.
Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:
- Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Loss of energy or increased fatigue
- Increase in purposeless physical activity or slowed movements and speech
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Conventional Treatments
Since causes of depression are different for every person, the best way to treat depression is to become as informed as possible about the treatment options, and then tailor them to meet your needs. Medications and psychotherapy are effective for most people with depression. Psychotherapy is a general term for treating depression by talking about your condition and related issues with a mental health professional. Different types of psychotherapy can be effective for depression, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy. In some cases, a doctor (primary care doctor or psychiatrist) may think that antidepressant medication may also be necessary to relieve symptoms. Support groups for people with depression are also another way to treat depression. Effective treatment will help you learn how to control depression so it doesn’t control you.
Alternative Treatments for Depression
Home Remedies for Depression
St. John’s Wort is used in medicinal preparations to treat various disorders, including depression. Research does support the use of St. John’s Wort as a stand-alone alternative treatment for depression. A 2015 meta-analysis review concluded that it has superior efficacy to placebo in treating depression, is as effective as standard antidepressant pharmaceuticals for treating depression, and has fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. In parts of Europe, traditionally, this herb is often the preferred remedy for treating depression.
Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is already known to be important for health. Foods such as beans, lentils, dark leafy greens, and fortified cereals containing folate, have been found to improve the effectiveness of medications used in treating depression.
SAM-e affects the manufacture of brain chemicals responsible for mood regulation. Research shows that SAM-e is as effective in relieving symptoms of depression as tricyclic antidepressants.
CBD oil
CBD oil has been found to be effective in the treatment of depression. The cannabinoids produced in our bodies (endocannabinoids) help to regulate several functions of the body such as mood, pain sensation, sleep, and appetite. These substances exert their actions by binding to specific receptors through which they potentiate the actions of the serotonin which acts to improve mood and reduce stress levels. Serotonin also acts by binding to its receptors in brain cells. When these hormones bind to their respective receptors, they trigger a series of events within each brain cell stimulating processes that improve mood and stress control. CBD oil improves depressive symptoms by modulating the actions of the endocannabinoids and also potentiating the effects of serotonin by enhancing the activity of the receptors unto which serotonin binds.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture may help ease depression symptoms, as well as treat the underlying condition, although more research is needed to confirm. Even though some people are skeptical, there aren’t enough well-designed studies to rule out or confirm that improvements after acupuncture aren’t just a placebo effect or occur simply because are expected. In practice, the hands-on connection can make people dealing with depression, feel significantly better. Research conducted in the United Kingdom suggests that acupuncture may even help clinical treatments work better and may be as effective as counseling when used as a part of a complementary care plan.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a method used by physical and mental health practitioners around the world to guide clients into a state of hypnosis in order to uncover and resolve psychological issues. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, hypnosis may help with issues such as depression, hot flashes, smoking cessation, and pain management. The overall goal is to create a relaxed but conscious state where individuals feel comfortable enough to discuss their circumstances without becoming overly anxious or emotional. Hypnotherapy is a technique that trained professionals may use to enhance their practice. This means that hypnosis is best used as an adjunct to other forms of psychotherapy or medical practice.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic care is a non-invasive and natural alternative treatment that has been shown to improve depression symptoms. It is based on the diagnosis and manipulative treatment of misalignments of the joints, especially those of the spinal column, which are held to cause other disorders by affecting the nerves, muscles, and organs. Spinal health influences almost every aspect of organ health, mental health, and performance. Immobile or improperly positioned vertebra alters neural communication between the brain and the body, producing poor function and abnormal health. Some people with depression report that imbalances within their body were contributing to their symptoms.
Final Thoughts
Since no one suffers from depression in exactly the same way, or for the same reasons, the treatment of depression should take into account the whole individual to find the remedy that will decrease symptoms. If the condition is fairly mild, symptoms might be relieved with lifestyle changes, natural treatments, and home remedies. Enough people report that they have gained relief from using alternative approaches to treat depression. However, there’s no hard evidence that they’re effective for moderate to severe depression. Therefore in these situations, alternative treatments should not be a replacement for medical diagnosis and treatment. On the contrary, they must be used as a part of a complementary care plan, along with conventional treatments.
