Dorothy FarrarHome remedies for anxiety
Fear is the body’s natural response to a variety of perceived threats. Often you just feel worried, but you don’t know exactly why. Various symptoms indicate an anxiety attack, such as stomach cramps , sweating , tremors, tachycardia , irritability, shortness of breath or difficulty concentrating. It can also lead to ill-considered actions and very frightening thoughts.
What is Anxiety Disorder?
Fear is something completely natural. Without fear, survival would only be possible with a lot of luck. It protects us from accidents, unwise decisions and allows us to question things critically. Fear makes sense and is part of life. It is only when fear gets out of hand and even harmless things are treated with excessive caution or even avoided that one speaks of an anxiety disorder.
An anxiety disorder is the most common mental illness after depression . It can appear out of nowhere without a trigger being able to be assigned. Other people, on the other hand, are able to pinpoint the origin of their phobia. After accidents and traumatic experiences, for example, the patient develops a massive fear of being in similar danger again and consistently avoids possible triggers. As a result of such avoidance behavior, life can be severely restricted. In severe cases it is hardly possible to leave the house or to maintain a normal social and professional life.
What forms of fear are there?
Fear can manifest itself in myriad forms. Several fears of different origins can coexist and reinforce each other. Fear can also work across the board. Anyone who becomes afraid of driving after an accident can also develop a phobia of bus and train journeys. The following five basic types of fear are named:
- Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- phobias
The symptoms are as different as the forms of anxiety. They range from general concern and brooding to absolute fear of death. The most common symptoms of acute anxiety are:
- shortness of breath
- dizziness
- feelings of unreality
- Feeling out of control or going insane
- Numbness of the skin and tongue
- Tremble
- hot or cold flashes
- Hyperventilation (often without realizing it)
causes
Chronic anxiety disorders are often caused by an imbalance in the neurotransmitter and mineral household. Triggers range from traumatic experiences to chronic permanent stress or a generally unhealthy lifestyle. Allergies and food intolerances such as histamine intolerance can also trigger an anxiety disorder.
What helps with anxiety?
- When experiencing an anxiety attack, a hot bath helps because it calms the nerves. Fear can be counteracted by adding nerve-soothing oils, such as lavender oil .
- But even just a smear of lavender oil on your temples and a few minutes of relaxation can make the anxiety attack go away if you don’t have time for a bath.
- If you have a sudden attack of anxiety, sit down and breathe deeply. It is best to put your hand on your stomach and hold your breath for a few seconds and then exhale slowly. After a few breaths you will notice an improvement.
- The direct precursor to serotonin is 5-hydroxytryptophan, which is widely available as a dietary supplement . It helps prevent anxiety because serotonin is active in the brain and makes it feel good.
- Positive thinking can reduce anxiety attacks. In all situations, you should try to make the best of it.
Fast help for fear
- Caffeine should be avoided if possible, as it can make anxiety symptoms worse. In the same way, alcohol is very dangerous, since fears can increase after the high of intoxication.
- Sport releases endorphins through the movement of the body, which are also known as happiness hormones. They can evoke feelings of happiness and thereby suppress fear.
- Vitamin B complexes are available as capsules in every online drugstore. There are various studies that have shown that B vitamins are natural stress reducers. The body also needs vitamin B6 to produce serotonin. A lack of B vitamins can increase or cause anxiety.
Alternative home remedies
- A natural home remedy for anxiety is valerian root. It has roughly the same effects as the anti-anxiety psychotropic drug diazepam. There are over-the-counter valerian capsules to buy online. The valerian root can also be taken as a tea.
- Tryptophan is an amino acid needed for the body to produce serotonin, which produces a feeling of well-being. This amino acid is mainly found in milk. That’s why grandma’s tried and tested tranquilizer, a warm glass of milk, is a useful remedy for anxiety.
- Hops have a long tradition as a tranquilizer. A soothing tea can be made with 2 teaspoons of dried hop cones in a cup of boiling water. Up to three cups of this should be drunk daily to get rid of the anxiety. Other different calming teas, such as lavender or lime tea, also help against anxiety and dissatisfaction.
- Another alternative natural remedy for anxiety is the pepper plant Kava-Kava. However, no more than 120mg of Kavalactone should be taken per day and the treatment should not exceed 2 months because of possible side effects on the liver.
For more information, see the Anxiety Disorders page. If the fears are permanent and you can no longer concentrate and start to consume alcohol, food or medicines, a doctor should be consulted. Symptoms of anxiety can be side effects of medication, but they can also indicate various diseases that require treatment, such as low blood sugar ( hypoglycaemia ), a heart attack or an overactive thyroid .
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.