Anxiety can be defined on many levels. It may include anything from excess worry to being unable to leave your home. Either way, it is currently a struggle for millions of Americans, particularly during the health, political, and civil challenges of the last year.
Survey statistics reported by the American Psychological Association (APA) speak for themselves:
“The survey found that the average reported stress level during the prior month [January 2021] was 5.6, []. This is higher than stress levels reported in 2020. It is therefore no surprise that 84% of adults reported feeling at least one emotion associated with prolonged stress.[]. The most common were feelings of anxiety (47%), sadness (44%) and anger (39%). Additionally, 2 in 3 adults (67%) said the number of issues America is facing is overwhelming to them.”
Worry, sadness and anger go hand-in-hand with anxiety. Once you look closely, it is easy to spot signs of an anxiety disorder. As you hone in on what you may be dealing with, hopefully, before committing to the big guns of pharmaceuticals, you can calm anxiety down with some natural remedies.
Bad Sleep
The anxiety of worry and stress often result in struggling with insomnia. Losing sleep, especially on a regular basis, can lead to a weakened immune system, accidents from lack of focus, and long term health complications which may include Alzheimer’s disease.
Natural remedy: Talk to your doctor about a low dose of melatonin, a safe naturally derived hormone that has good science behind it for helping reset the circadian rhythm (24 hour internal clock).
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine,
“Research shows that a [melatonin] supplement may help people with insomnia fall asleep slightly faster and may have bigger benefits for those with delayed sleep phase syndrome—falling asleep very late and waking up late the next day.”
So Afraid
Being consumed by anxiety means struggling with a barrage of fears. Normal fear is associated with caution and survival instincts but outrageous fears can be the manifestation of extreme anxiety. It is often more noticeable when the fear you may be dealing with is a fear you never concerned yourself with before.
Natural remedy: Meditate. Before you roll your eyes, meditation can be started as easily as using an app for five minutes per day. Meditation can reduce stress which can reduce fears which can release you from the loop of anxiety thinking.
Harvard News reported that, “Mindfulness training may improve emotion regulation though changing neurobiological responses associated with our ability to remember that a stimulus is no longer threatening,”
Not Coming Out Okay
The gut-brain axis is a real thing with some medical practitioners calling the gut a “second brain”. This is because so many chemical transactions occur along this axis and for some, when anxiety is prevalent, the gut can react.
Anxiety has been linked to chronic symptoms of:
Natural remedy: As long as your doctor has not found anything serious, one possible remedy for digestive challenges can be a potent probiotic supplement. When anxiety takes over, good bacteria in your gut can weaken resulting in digestive challenges. To find a helpful probiotic supplement ask your physician or naturopathic doctor for a recommendation. Some reccomend that the higher the the CFUs (colony forming units) the more efficient the probiotic could be at strengthening weak bacteria.
News Medical reported that, “Previous research has tied mental health issues and developmental disorders to gut health. Now, a team of British scientists has shown that foods that broaden the profile of helpful bacteria in the gut, which are collectively known asprobiotics, can help ease anxiety and depression.”
Obsessed
Anxiety can also manifest in the form of a perfectionist attitude. Sometimes by obsessively keeping everything in place helps people stop their anxiety from crippling them. It may work for people living alone but this perfectionist attitude could create more anxiety upon other people’s behavior and reactions.
Natural remedy: CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). Described by the American Psychological Association (APA) as:
“Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders and severe mental illness. Numerous research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. In many studies, CBT has been demonstrated to be as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric medications.”
Always a Bummer
You have every right to feel negative, especially during the science fiction movie we’re currently living in, but if is taking over most thoughts, most conversations, then it’s probably anxiety.
Natural remedy: Unplug. Stop watching the news except for the weather and traffic. Don’t fall down the rabbit hole of negative news stories that have no influence on your life. Spend more time in nature. Hike. Bike. Outdoor yoga. Get moving. Think positive. Stop being a victim.
These 5 Anxiety Signs and 5 Natural Remedies are some healing paths you can choose to try. If you feel your anxiety has alienated others and seems out of control, seek medical assistance.
Sources:
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2021/02/adults-stress-pandemic#
https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral#
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/melatonin-for-sleep-does-it-work
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