Anxiety disorders are the number one mental illness suffered by both adults and children. With the increasing stress of an ever demanding, high-stress, fast-pace world it is no wonder that anxiety medications and treatments are costing Americans in excess of $50 billion per year. As a natural health advocate, I am always looking at the most common physical aliments and how they can be treated without prescription drugs, but I have also found that debilitating mental illnesses are also able to be improved in a drug free way.

Two of the most common drugs used to treat anxiety disorders are Paxil and Xanax or the generic versions of these, Paroxetine HCl and Alprazolam respectively. The drugs work in similar ways by creating a calm feeling within the brain and sort of numbing the central nervous system. The class of drugs called benzodiazepines creates more of the natural brain chemical GABA to stop the anxiety, such as is found with Xanax. Paxil on the other hand treats depression and anxiety by balancing out brain chemicals and improving neurotransmitters. This type of anti-anxiety drug is called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Whenever I see phrases such as “restores natural brain chemicals” or “improves neurotransmitters” it sends up a red flag for me. I know through my research that those are processes in the brain that can be activated naturally -- without prescription drugs. So how can you increase serotonin and brain neurotransmission without drugs? There are several effective ways, which will make great strides in overcoming anxiety and all without the numbing side effects or risk of misuse and addiction that go along with taking some kinds of antidepressants. The best part about these natural remedies, is that they are safe for children and teens too.

If you experience anxiety, follow these steps for relief:

1. Meditate. The mind is a powerful tool. It can cause an anxious reaction in the body, but it can also calm it with directed thoughts that shut out surrounding stimuli.

2. Walk outside in the sun for at least 20 minutes. It actually doesn’t take that long, but exposure to sunlight or special spectrum lamps each day can improve anxiety and depression. People often experience seasonal depression during the winter months because they are not getting enough exposure to sunlight.

3. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is often referred to as psychological acupressure. It is a technique that is used to control anxiety by controlling the energy flow in the body through a series of sounds and by applying pressure to oneself in a rote sort of way through tapping. It is similar to mediation, but different in that it is based on ancient Chinese philosophies that use the tapping patterns to improve neurotransmission. It is a self-administered system that many chiropractors and natural health professionals will teach.

4. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and refined sugars, which can cause anxiety or the symptoms of anxiety. Slowly wean yourself off caffeine and alcohol and drink pure water instead. Keeping your body well hydrated can help reduce anxiety. I also suggest replacing refined sugars with naturally sweet whole fruits.

5. Get moving. Excess negative emotions can be released through exercise, which will help you feel more relaxed. Shoot for 30 minutes of continuous activity most days of the week.

There are alternatives to expensive, addictive and sometimes life threatening drugs to treat anxiety. Good diet, exercise and a generally healthy lifestyle will also go a long way toward improving mental health and restoring chemical balance.

Sources
youtube.com
whfoods.com
nutraingredients.com
ngm.nationalgeographic.com