Anxiety
Comments
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Skullcap, kava, mints are calming esp. lemon balm. There are a lot of herbs that help anxiety but those the ones I think of first because they work pretty fast as tinctures and teas (lemon balm).
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I agree with the above. I would go for lemon balm, personally. It is quite pleasant & should be easy to find.
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Don't forget valerian
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Kava works best for me when it comes to anxiety. The only way I can drink the tea is with lots of chai type herbs, because kava itself tastes terrible. So I mostly use tincture. Also, the Calm app folks are offering free calming resources at https://www.calm.com/blog/take-a-deep-breath?utm_source=lifecycle&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=difficult_times_subs_031720.
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Niacinamide worked good for my daughter. I couldn't find the video I was looking for but this one explains about a lot of uses of Niacin & Niacinamide.
What's helped my anxiety recently is to turn off the TV or at least turn on cooking and to limit how many times I look at social media. My daughter and I went to the park today and went Geocaching which was good for it as well.
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So many causes for anxiety! And so many different symptoms, depending on the individual.
I learned recently that skullcap is a nice tea to have either cold or hot in a thermos beside the bed during the night. It is for people who wake up and can't get back to sleep.
I like valerian but it takes a bit of getting used to for some. A very small percentage of people may have the opposite effect with valerian so try drop doses during the day to see how it affects you, otherwise you might be awake all night if you do a full dose right before bed.
Motherwort is a nice one for anxiety and it has less sedative effects so might be a better one during the day than skullcap or valerian.
Chamomile is often thought of as a children's herb but it can be very relaxing for adults as well.
Lemon balm is a good one for calming the central nervous system. Lemon balm and chamomile make a lovely combination. Both are also good for the digestion which can often be upset when a person experiences anxiety.
Ashwagandha is useful for people with chronic stress who have become exhausted from it and are easily agitated. Great adaptogen.
Schisandra is also an adaptogen and it reduces the amount of stress hormone levels, helping to reduce anxiety.
Tulsi is another adaptogen that makes a great relaxing tea.
Rhodiola is getting a lot of press lately as a stress reliever. Another adaptogen (there is a theme here), it reduces cortisol levels and helps balance blood pressure. It seems to work best for acute stress.
Bach rescue remedy might be one to carry with you when you are out if you are prone to anxiety attacks.
I know quite a few people who use lavender essential oil but that is quite individual; I know quite a few who can't stand it. You can use it in an inhaler to help with episodes of anxiety while out. I would prefer one of the conifers myself as they can be very calming. Lots of others but I am not an aromatherapist so maybe someone else could chime in on EO's for anxiety.
Hope that helps.
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Tulsi...basil. This makes the most lovely sweet tea.
Rosemary Gladstar has a recipe for headache tea that includes basil, chamomile, & lemon balm. It is a beautiful tea!
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Thanks Laurie!
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@RhondaBusby you know you are on a garden page when all the answers entail herb formulas that you can pretty much grow at home in most instances!
I wanted to add the list of how to help with anxiety as I suffer from it occasionally (NOW/Still) but it no longer shuts me down.
Gardening, growing all those lovely herbs listed above, has reduced my anxiety and depression tremendously!!! I don’t always want to go outside and work hard. But I make myself and it clears my head and allows me to give all the monkey mind chatter space to stretch out and dissipate. If I’m pruning or planting my mind is laser focused on that task so I can be successful and then there is no room for all the what if’s and if only thoughts.
If I really can’t pick up a shovel some days..at minimum I walk around the block and at bare minimum I walk the parameter of my property stopping to notice changes, leafs coming on, fruit dropping, etc. I don’t let myself “fix” anything; just notice.
I don’t know how you feel about other mindful practices but yoga in the morning feels good (I don’t ALWAYS do yoga, but when I do I love it). You can find videos online or on demand to do at home.
I used to hate journaling but made it my morning practice to write for 10 minutes every morning it really helps me put out there all my fears and anxieties and then I leave them there on the page and don’t pick them back up to carry through the day. Or I try not to and I can always journal again and leave them on the page again and again until they are no longer mine.
Speaking of morning practice, what does yours look like? I wake up 2 hours earlier than the rest of my family so I can wake up gently. This is what I need. I have a Himalayan salt lamp in my bath that is enough light to do my morning business without blasting my eyes with an overhead light. I keep the hood light on in my kitchen so there is only soft light there as I make coffee. I stretch and do squats alternately while my coffee brews. Then I sit in my favorite chair with another soft light nearby and journal. This is my first 15-20 minutes of my day. It sets me up in a mellow relaxing mind frame before jumping into the chaos and rush that doesn’t allow me to think and process. Please consider finding a gentle morning routine that nourishes your soul.
Last thing I will mention here is LIMIT SOCIAL MEDIA/TV/NEWS. Literally put a time limit on all your devices and don’t fall down the rabbit hole of listening and watching all the things. Pick up a book, call a friend, but stay off the sites. I have a 3 hour limit total for all social media sites in my phone. So if I use it all up in the morning I don’t get on again until the next day. My phone shuts off except to specific numbers after 6pm every day. And I keep my phone in the living room while I sleep. If I need an alarm (rare) I will set an old digital clock.
If you have any questions or wonder if I have more ideas (I do, anxiety relief is not a one size fits all nor will these methods be the cure all, sometimes I need even more support) please feel free to reach out to me💕
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Chamomile is soothing as Mint is a stress soother. Both aid relaxation.
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herbantherapy excellent advice. I find that at times I, too, must force myself out to my garden. wonders never cease - next thing I know it has been two hours in the sunshine and working some muscles and I feel wonderful. may hafta oush again tomorrow, but that is definitley good for the psyche when accomplished.
anxiety: if you never have, go now to the chopra website and either learnt to meditate or read his books. today i am reading the Seven Spritual Laws of Succees. the first task is ust STOPPING, mentally. find a way to be silent for at least an hour each day no ta;king, reading, cell talk, emails, facebook, TV . Doesnt mean sitting meditating necessarily but lots of other ways. The example of walking through or just sitting in one's garden is one example. You and nature. Even in cold climes one can look at the scene outside one's window and just marvel at all one sees. finding a labyrinth to walk is another. I used to love doing this at least once a week. Of course actual meditation - sitting or yoga twice a day for 30 mintues each time can have a wonderful impact.
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My favorites to use as teas are chamomile, lemon balm, catnip, linden, mints, rose, and tulsi.
For tinctures, lemon balm, rose, motherwort, and skullcap. I've heard good things about Kava, but have no experience with it.
I keep several on hand, and pick and choose depending on what sounds good at the time.
Rescue Remedy is another thing I keep on hand, and can use it safely on the dog, too.
Getting enough sleep. Naps count!
Turning off the TV!
Daily nature walks or sits. Daily gratitude journaling (on my Facebook page, to share with others).
Reading for fun. Watching movies. Tending to and playing with my dog and cat. Talking to friends and family by phone or online.
And I take great comfort in God's word and in prayer.
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I heard someone yesterday saying it helped them to start each morning thinking of 3 things they are grateful for. It seems like a good idea that can't hurt.
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catnip helps with anxiety
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Last year I took a Mental Health First Aid course and this was in their latest e-mail to me.
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These are all great practices. I also recommend a warm bath with epsom salts and a few drops of your favourite essential oils. Or at least a foot bath with the same.
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Love this!
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Thank you!!!
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Thank you everyone!!! Great ideas to put in to place :)
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@RhondaBusby You are very welcome!
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Close your eyes and think about the most joyful event of your life. Feel it in your body, where it is, does it spread all throughout your body, does it have a color, a smell, a temperature etc... Connect with that as if you were living it again. Then when you start having some anxiety, think about this joy feeling and let your body going to the joy feeling instead of the anxiety.
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Hi @RhondaBusby , in addition to all the great herbs mentioned here (tulsi is my fav), I do breathing - slowly in for the count of 6 - hold for the count of 6 - exhale for the count of 8 - hold the exhale for the count of 2. This helps shift my mindset, and my body releases the stress/tension/anxiety built up.
[6-6-8-2]
Hope you find the relief you need! 💕
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awesome! Thank you. Breathing helps me too!
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I've struggled with anxiety since I was a child, for various reasons. Finding a diet that worked for me and my hormones has helped tremendously, but it's a still a work in progress. Supplementing with magnesium has helped, and I think nutritional yeast has helped as well(b-vitamins.) I can't give advice about herbs, but here are some practices that have helped me ( Not saying I always avail myself of them!)
- first off, read my Bible and talk to God about it- honestly and humbly. Trust God to handle the things that I can't fix.
- Try to find out why you are anxious. I don't think we are ever really anxious "for no reason". Understanding better how my brain/body works has helped greatly. Learning about PMS means I more prepared to deal with it. Also understanding brain and personality differences means that I am easier on myself and on others. By brain differences I mean issues such as Aspergers, ADHD, or OCD. If you haven't researched OCD, I encourage you to do so. Lots of people deal with it unknowingly, because they are only familiar with the "Hollywood" version. It is not being neat and organized! As for personality, I have found that MBTI has helped me understand and appreciate both my own and other's personalities. This might sound pretty off topic, but accepting that others think differently helps prevent anxiety for me. Yes, there are lots of silly articles that claim you can find everything from the perfect job to the perfect spouse based on your type; that doesn't mean the basic theory can't be helpful.
- For me, communication issues are an ongoing source of anxiety; I've found that it's important to try to resolve them while I am calm, instead of waiting until they have become a major problem.
- If I know mentally that the source of my anxiety is not legitimate, or that it is legitimate but there is nothing I can do about it, and I can't shake the feelings, I try exercise or a good book. Taking a long walk/jog can be great. Sometimes I know everything is all right, but hormones keep telling me to feel panicky or depressed; that's a great time to read a novel or listen to an audiobook, preferably with some handsewing.
- Sometimes talking about my anxiety can be helpful, but I've found if I'm in full panic mode its usually better to wait until I've calmed down.
- Hot sauce. Seriously, capsaicin releases endorphins. Of course, if you don't like spicy foods it probably won't help..
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I find reading the Bible, prayer, and reminding myself that God has it in His control relieves my anxious thoughts. Just do things to the best of your ability and then "let it go".
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There are a lot of ideas here so I trust one will help. I will add in a few thoughts of my own for you to consider:
- Vitamin D - the sun. This has proven benefits in regards to lifting mood as well as aiding in the absorption of calcium.
- St Johns Wart as a herbal remedy [not homeopathic - I believe it's used differently in homeopathy]. This can be a tincture or capsule/ tablet. I have had family use it very effectively for anxiety/ depression with very fast results. I am told it also assist with pain relief.
- Exercise.
- Keep a good routine. That is, ensure you get up at a reasonable/ regular time and have things planned for the day, but don't trash yourself if you don't keep it, or you fall short.
- Try and find the reason you are anxious. This may involve finding a counsellor/ therapist/ support person [even online] who you trust so you can work through the underlying cause of the anxiety.
The other thought is of course not 'isolating' yourself per se. While I understand that most of us are self isolating due to the virus lockdown, I am expressing more in relation to being willing to connect with others - by phone, facebook, email, smiling at a stranger if they walk past your property, even ensuring you spend quality time with a pet [again this has scientifically proven benefits].
Take Care 💐
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Ashwagandha is a really useful and safe herb to take as a simple. The following article may offer some useful suggestions:
https://alchemilla.co/ashwagandha-one-of-natures-best-remedies-for-anxiety/
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Oh so much great advice on this thread, and so valuable to everyone here now!
I would like to add that music plays a large part for me. When I was a teen & milked the cow, there is a natural rhythm that happens. I sang to the cows, we all relaxed and all was good. I have been singing ever since I was a toddler, and it is so much a part of me. It is as important as breathing! Harmony is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the unmatched beauty of full sound. I hear every little tidbit of a song all at the same time. Each instrument, each note (including all aspects of tone, etc.). Unless you can "feel" the music as I can, you won't fully understand. Not many people can understand, but everyone can still benefit from well done music. Above all, I enjoy the unaltered (unmastered) fullness of the human voice & all it is capable of.
Two of my babies responded wonderfully to harmonious music when nothing else calmed them. It was lifesaving!
Specifically for @blevinandwomba @MommaMo & @judsoncarroll4 whom I know understands my passion (and knows of my musical heritage), and anyone else who might be interested, I would like to share my favorite find on YouTube, complete with calming hymn music (surprisingly with many new to me), beautiful backdrops & the bible verse basis at the end. I sing along using whatever part intrigues me in the moment. Some of the songs have complex parts, some are simple. Most are done by Mennonite groups.
Of course, with a Mennonite background, and Mennonites being known for their singing abilities, I am drawn to the acapella music even over those that have been done with instruments (I have nothing against instruments.) Instruments can camouflage weak or poor singing. When it is just voice, everything is on display, demanding singing perfection, hopefully in the best way, & not stiff & cold.
I have found that SE Samonte has great playlists. I found one not long ago that happened to have a few off tune or "trying to be perfect" stiff sounding singers, and that was certainly 😖 time for me, but most were still good. My husband even found a Mennonite martyr songs playlist, which showcased historic songs from their times of great persecution.
Anyway, I hope anyone who would possibly be able to use this resource, to try it. It has often been my saving grace when I have felt overwhelmed or depressed in the past 6 months. I crave musical variety just as with food, but I haven't tired of it yet...and through listening to it, my kids are learning beautiful harmony. 🙂
I am so glad to be part of this beautifully diverse community that we are building, with such caring and knowledgeable people. I am proud to call you my people. 🤗
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Great advice in this thread! Thanks, y'all!
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Something that I learned when in labor was using a change of words. When I said "ow," I was supposed to say "open" and focus on the goal. The idea was that a physical body responds directly to the words said by that individual, either tensing or relaxing muscles to be able to work properly. Changing words also helps your mindset to help you work through something rather than working against you.
If we stay vigilant while changing our focus & words to something positive, it will help us each move forward in a more productive & slightly more comfortable way.
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