"𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝, 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬, 𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞, 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩...." these are thoughts that occur to all of us in different degrees at some stage or the other.
In the earliest days of humanity, the approach of animals or imminent danger, invoked a rush of adrenaline known as the " fight-or-flight " response. It prepared us to physically confront or flee any threats to safety. Nowadays anxieties or rush of adrenaline revolves around work, money, health, or relationships.
Anxiety is a natural human reaction to stressful situations but it does become a problem when it occurs frequently. Physical symptoms, such as increased blood pressure and nausea, may also become evident. These responses move beyond anxiety to an anxiety disorder. We can control these without the side effects of medicinal aids.
𝐍𝐨𝐧-𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬:
𝟏) Breathing properly really effective in lowering anxiety : Dr. Andrew Weil, in his book 'Spontaneous Happiness,' introduced the 4-7-8 breath - Exhale completely through the mouth, then inhale through your nose for a count of 4. Hold your breath for a count of 7, let it out through your mouth for a count of 8(practice it several times a day). Deep abdominal breathing and switching off 3 to 4 times daily for 5 minutes is also very beneficial. It can be done in the car going to work, or at home, instead of being on our smartphones, I-pads or computers!!
𝟐) Yoga and meditation: Lying down in Shavasan (dead man’s pose) for 20 minutes, can clear your mind and helps reducing anxiety.
𝟑) Exercise: Walking, and other forms of exercise are an amazing mood lifter. Walk as soon as you wake up. Inhale the fresh air and sunshine and enjoy the beauty of nature.
𝟒) Develop an '’Attitude of Gratitude" : Be thankful for what you have and do not envy. Appreciate the blessings in your life, especially the simple things that are often overlooked. Do not dwell on the past and have an accepting attitude to things which you cannot change.
𝟓) Hobbies : take up a hobby which keeps you totally immersed, be it a sport, reading, singing, cooking, gardening - something which interests you and totally absorbs you.
𝟔) Keep learning : the more you learn and apply, the less anxious you get because you do not have time to focus on your anxieties.
𝟕) Sit in a Sauna or Steam room : Heating up your body reduces muscle tension and anxiety. Warmth helps in increasing the neurotransmitter levels which control your mood.
𝟖) If you are prone to panic attacks, carry a brown paper bag with you and breathe into it immediately. Makes you feel much better.
The most important Non-dietary Remedy: Avoid setting unrealistic goals for yourself. If you find multi-tasking difficult, avoid it and focus on one task at a time. No need to put pressure on yourself.
𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬:
𝟏) Keep your body as Alkaline as possible . Remove or reduce the following foods from your diet:
a) Alcohol : It is very dehydrating and can cause physical symptoms from the toxins that trigger anxiety attacks.
b) Fried foods : The body finds it very hard to process fried foods.
c) Excess coffee is a known anxiety stimulant. A cup a day is fine. Otherwise it can create a rapid heartbeat and lead to panic attacks if you are prone to anxiety.
d) Avoid processed foods and refined sugars as much as possible.
𝟐) Increase intake of Tryptophan rich foods : such as Oats, Soy, Sesame seeds, Poultry, as they have a natural relaxation component.
𝟑) Increase consumption of Fruits and Vegetables : they are rich in fiber and contain many of the vitamins which are depleted through the body.
𝟒) Increase intake of Magnesium rich foods : like Legumes, Green Leafy Vegetables, Bananas, Figs, Salmon.
𝟓) Mulethi or Licorice : Have one teaspoon of Licorice root (Mulethi) powder with a glass of water on an empty stomach in the morning. In Ayurveda this is a known remedy as a “mind rejuvenator”.
𝟔) Almond milk : Freshly prepared almond milk with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg, last thing at night helps with a good sleep and calms the mind.
𝟕) Chamomile tea : is very soothing and reduces anxious feelings.
𝟖) Dark chocolate : a small piece raises Serotonin level, the feel good hormone.
Relax, take it easy on yourself. Love yourself and love others. Find positive ways to be happy.
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