got and natural/healthy ways to reduce anxiety?????

[sewcool]

I'm open to any ideas besides traditional medication.

[mazajo]

I came here tonight looking for the same thing. Here's something I found: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...hlight=anxiety
Good luck!

[Arianwen1174]

I've dealt with anxiety for a long time and hate taking pharmaceuticals if I don't need to. I decided to try Calms by Hyland's and it really does help if I don't wait too long. I have both Calms and Calms Forte and I'm really pleased with them. I do try other things before that too, like suggestions in the PP's link. Doing something different, changing my breathing, talking to a friend (online or in person), things like that help more than I thought they would when I first tried them. But the Calms can really make a difference. I'm trying to get pregnant right now so can't take my Ativan, so I'm really glad I have the Calms now. HTH!

[Camile Rynd]

Originally Posted by sewcool

I'm open to any ideas besides traditional medication.

Skullcap, in a tincture! My hero!

[dairy2dogs]

My daughter takes a traditional chinese herbal formula for anxiety that really helps her. It is put together for her by a TCM practioner, not a pre-made formula. We tried lots of other things before this that just didn't help much like homeopathics, herbs, amino acids, even traditional meds. I'm really thankful we finally hit on something that works for her.

[Marnica]

Rescue remedy can be helpful.

Have you tried relaxation techniques?

[*bejeweled*]

[JessicaS]

I have anxiety.

I take fish oil, cal/mag, vit d, b vitamin complex, I have also been taking iodine lately since I use kosher salt.

I do have to work hard to make sure I am getting a lot of vitamins in food. I have to be cautious about the amount of vitamins I take because my bladder condition has an issue with the amount of citric acid in so many vitamins. I eat a lot of green veggies and other nutritionally dense foods. I eat a lot of smoothies. (yum!)

I also have a bad dairy allergy, allergies are worth examining if nothing else helps.

I would take a close look at your nutrition, keep a food journal and be sure to note in it how bad your anxiety is each day.

[RiverTam]

Daily cardio exercise reduces anxiety. 30 minutes of running/fast walking/dancing/running/swimming works great. If it's outside, so you get some sunshine so much the better. It burns off the "fight or flight" energy.

[proudmamanow]

These are all great suggestions.
We also took dd to a naturopath for her anxiety recently & she recommended a magnesium supplement.

[tinybutterfly]

I started the Feingold Diet about a year and a half ago for perimenopausal moodswings and as a bonus my anxiety issues got better!

It eliminates dyes, additives, preservatives.

I'd recommend excercise, too.

AND doing some small, nice self-care things for yourself.

[morganeldi]

I suffer with severe anxiety. This is my regime..

In the morning I make up a mug of warm/hot water with my magnesium powder supplement
a good B complex (I like country life co-enzyme B complex because it doesn't leave the typical B smell and I've heard good things about it)
a drop of vitamin D (1000 i.u./drop) in the water
Rhodiola - 2 caps 500 mg - this is a stress adaptogen Rx'd by my naturopath
Kelp - 1 tablet
half of a viactiv (this is just temporary until I find a cal/mag supp that I really like)

Then at night I make up the same mug of my second dose of magnesium powder and take
another drop of vitamin D
half a viactiv
Cod liver oil
new chapter organics multivitamin
probiotics

Then anytime during the day that I'm feeling especially wound up or if I feel a panic attack coming on I take a dropper full of Valerian root, and 500 mg. of GABA.

But I am also always on the search for something that works better.

[Fi'sMom]

Oh my gosh... I want everyone to know about Inositol powder!!! I've always suffered from severe anxiety, and last week my holistic nutritionist suggested 12 gm. a day of Inositol powder. It worked immediately, and has been more effective than any prescription med I've ever tried! No side effects, also detoxes the liver... It's a win win!!! I'm using one by Jarrow - 2 tbsp. twice a day on an empty tummy. Oh, and I also do magnesium powder before bed, as well as Vit. D with breakfast.

[Mirzam]

Flower essences can be very helpful. Rescue Remedy is probably too generic.

http://www.pegasusproducts.com/articles/panic.html

[alison77]

just started zoloft for my anxiety/panic and depression.

wondering whether anyone knows if there are any concerns about taking some of these more natural options in addition to the drugs? i'd like to ultimately control my issues more naturally, but am at a phase where i need to be on something for at least a year or two.

i'd like to start with cal/mag, inositol, vit D, b complex and fish oil. i guess the only one i'm wondering about is the inositol.

[sewcool]

thanks i think ill try some of these and i think ill talk to my husband about them also as he too has anxiety. i do not want to take any meds, i have been off of them for a long time now and am trying to get pregnant and would prefer to STAY off of them during the whole pregnancy and breast feeding time. sooo any suggestions are helpful!

[NashvilleAwesome]

I work in a hospital and started dealing with anxiety when 2 of my coworkers unexpectedly died. I could hardly work. If something like that happens, my best advice is to take a vacation. I talked to a counselor and it helped me so much to understand what I was going through. Talk to a counselor!

She taught me that I was solution oriented, and my anxiety came from feeling helpless in this situation with my coworkers. First, don't ignore it.. it won't go away. Secondly, DON'T GIVE IN TO IT. Recognize when you feel anxious, sit down, calm down, and realize your goals and what you need to get done.

I know the last thing you want to do it exercise when you're anxious, but if you can I promise it helps!
-Casey