Anxiety for some people can be uncomfortable feelings when faced with simple everyday situations. If you or someone you know avoids social gatherings, work meetings or confrontations, due to anxiety, then don’t ignore these feelings and make an appointment today.
Physical and Emotional Symptoms of Anxiety
Symptoms of anxiety can be very unsettling. Your heart rate increases, your mind races and you can no longer think straight. Everyone experiences anxiety a bit differently, there are some more common symptoms to look out for.
- racing heart;
- hot flushes, sweating and skin clamminess;
- rapid breathing; and/or frequent gastrointestinal upsets.
- feelings of excess worry, panic, fear or guilt;
- obsessive thinking and behaviours; and/or
- feeling generally tense and wound up.
If you can relate to any of the above this doesn’t have to be your everyday ‘normal’.
Breaking the Cycle
Herbal medicine can be used to help reduce anxiety and nervousness; improving your emotional resilience for example:
Passion flower – decreases that sense of ‘restlessness’ and can help settle nervous stomachs. It increases the calming neurotransmitters (brain chemicals), such as GABA; soothing a racing mind, decreasing tension and irritability.
Zizyphus – widely used in Chinese herbal formulas for its anxiolytic (anxiety reducing) properties; zizyphus is considered cooling, calming and another herb that’s effective for restlessness.
Strategies for Anxiety
These tips will lead to better overall wellbeing as well as helping you to manage stress and anxiety:
- Connect with friends – keeping in touch with people maintains your support network;
- Exercise (ideally outdoors) – regular exercise has been shown to improve mood and reduce feelings of stress;
- Choose healthy foods – consume protein at each meal and avoid refined and sugary foods. This can help balance your blood sugar levels, reducing mood imbalances and lessening anxiety;
- Avoid caffeine – stimulants such as caffeine can exacerbate anxiety; and
- Breathe! – if you start to feel panicky or anxious, focus on taking some slow, purposeful, deep breaths, helping you return to a state of calm. Meditation can also help to quieten your mind and instill calm.
Please also read the article “Pyrroles, Leaky Gut and Nutrient Deficiencies”.