While I wasn’t diagnosed with anxiety until March of 2014, I have experienced anxiety attacks since spring of 2012. And I the only times I take medication for it is before having a medical procedure. I have nothing against taking medication for it; it’s just that I already take over 20 pills a day for my other health problems. Managing anxiety naturally is important to me so I can avoid taking more medications than necessary. Here’s how I do it.
1. Yoga: While I haven’t been able to do much in recent months because of my knee surgery, I’m starting practicing it again, and I’m so glad! The actual yoga helps center me, and the meditation at the end calms me and significantly affects my anxiety for the rest of the day. If I can’t do more than a few breaths, I am more on edge. If I can do a couple of minutes, I am calmer. If I can do at least 5-10 minutes, I’m like a whole new person.
2. Natural Calm: This was suggested to me by a doctor back in February, and I am so glad he did. As they say on their website, “Natural Calm is the solution to both restoring a healthy magnesium level and balancing your calcium intake – the result of which is natural stress relief.” I mix one tablespoon with cold water and drink it before bed and it makes a huge difference. I can get to sleep easier – which then impacts my physical pain, but that’s another story. Once I go back to grad school in the fall, if my stress levels increase (which I’m sure they will), I’m going to increase my doses to twice a day and hope that helps.
3. Dose of Nature CBD olive oil: I was sent this to review, and I’m so glad that I was. I take a dropperful under my tongue, and it’s a really “green” taste, but I feel an impact within minutes. It makes me calmer and more at peace. I’ve only been using it for about a week, and I’m looking forward to seeing if it helps me in other ways. Coincidentally, my chiropractor asked me yesterday if I had tried pot for my chronic pain. I haven’t, but the RedStrap CBD oil has 70% CBD, so maybe it will help in some areas!
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Kate Mitchell is a blogger, chronic illness patient, and advocate who helps people understand chronic illness and helps chronic illness patients live their best lives.
I have tried yoga too. I take deep breaths. Usually when I am really stressed out I clean & organize (scrapbooking helps too). Found you on the Northeast blog fb page.
http://therantingsofadramaqueensmum.blogspot.com
Interesting! I’ve had panic disorder for almost 10 years, as well as generalized anxiety. The most important thing (besides an SSRI) for me is making sure I get enough sleep. Admittedly, I am terrible at this. My old therapist taught me a relaxation technique I use when I’m feeling anxious, but not yet experiencing a full-blown attack. I call it Tree Feet because it involves feeling your feet really “planted” to the ground, but it probably has a real name.