What are the symptoms of Anxiety?
Anxiety shows itself physically with multiple symptoms. People can have heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or racing pulse. They can have digestive issues ranging from constipation to diarrhea. Mental issues can show up as insomnia, lack of concentration, and ruminating thoughts.
What is happening within the body?
The two responses within the body I would like to concentrate on deal with the fight or flight response. I want to concentrate on these because they are treatable with natural remedies.
This first response is the adrenal glands producing hormones to respond to fight or flight. The adrenal glands produce hormones to run away from a tiger in a survival situation. These hormones such as adrenaline, cause the heart to beat stronger, shunt blood to the muscles, decrease the flow of blood to the intestines, and activate a response in the brain to make us more aware of our surroundings.
This is a good response to run away from a tiger but not so healthy when lying in bed at night with insomnia because your brain won't turn off because it is thinking about perceived threats.
The second response is with the neurotransmitters produced for fight or flight. The main one is dopamine. It is a stimulating neurotransmitter produced to heighten awareness and prepare the brain for fight or flight. It causes the pupils to widen and it enhances our environmental awareness, Again, this is a good response when running away from a tiger but not when lying in bed unable to sleep.
These responses are not limited to night time. Many people experience anxiety in the form of an "anxiety attack" during the day, It can be shortness of breath and palpitations by driving to work on the freeway, or going to a work place they don't like, or coming home to a tense household.
Natural ways to treat anxiety.
First and foremost is dealing as best as you can with the situation producing the anxiety. This is important because I am going to give you some natural supplements to take. But, if you don't deal with the anxiety/stress provoking situation, then it becomes 3 steps forward and 2 steps backward.
1: Meditation- This has always been an excellent way to calm the mind. Meditation is sometimes sitting quietly and letting the mind settle. But, it is also any form of activity that can get your mind to focus on something other than your situation. These activities can be a hobby such as woodworking, gardening or sewing, exercising, or simply walking and observing the beautiful outdoors. The main idea is to distract your mind from your distressing situation and focus on something else.
2: Lower your dopamine levels- Lowering dopamine levels can be done by taking methylated B12 and Folate and magnesium. Having plenty of methylated B12 and Folate and magnesium(a calming mineral) makes sure that the enzyme that breaks down dopamine is fully functionalSee prior email). Most people are deficient in magnesium because stress and anxiety cause the body to lose magnesium in the urine. Therefore, replacement in critical.
3: Attenuate the adrenal response to fight or flight- This attenuation is done through the use of adaptogens. Adaptogens are natural supplements that allow your hormone system to adapt to stress. They are such things such as ashwaganda, rhodiola, and theonine amongst others. We have a combination supplement called "Adrenal Calm" with these products and more that is very effective.
4: Finally, managing stress- Stress is always with us. But it is how we manage it that is a factor for anxiety. And again, if you don't manage the stress or anxiety provoking situation, you can take all the supplements and medicines but it will be 3 steps forward and 2 steps back. If necessary, professional help from therapist can be very beneficial.
Recap.
1: Anxiety comes from internalizing situations we have no control over and creates a fight of flight response.
2: Physical manifestations of anxiety affect all parts of our body. They can be shortness of breath, palpitations, diarrhea or constipation, to name a few.
3: Natural remedies are available for anxiety. But, dealing with the anxiety provoking situation is important.
As always, if the situation becomes overwhelming, seek professional help regarding your physical and mental symptoms.
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