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Various natural supplements
such as ginseng and valerian have been used successfully as anxiety
treatments. For example, ginseng has been shown to have positive
effects on anxiety, in addition to cardiovascular health, menopause,
physical endurance and diabetes. However, once the substance
is no longer ingested, the beneficial effects slowly dissipate.
Like prescription drugs, natural supplements fail to address
underlying triggers behind anxiety and stress.
It is interesting to note that
doctors are increasingly turning to natural treatments for anxiety,
in addition to more traditional methods. Studies are beginning
to show the physiological effects which occur in the body during
holistic practices such as meditation and hypnotherapy. For example,
during Transcendental Meditation, a style of meditation founded
in the 1950s by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, mental activity is slowed
while alertness and clarity remain. Actual physiological changes
include slowing of the metabolic rate, increased cerebral blood
flow and changes in muscle resistance.
The changes are a direct reaction
to physiological changes induced by heightened and continued
stress. After Transcendental Meditation, the patient reports
feeling relaxed, happy and better able to function both personally
and professionally.
Hypnotherapy is another natural
treatment for anxiety that is increasingly beginning to be accepted
as valid in the medical community. Through guided imagery and
positive associations, the patient works with the hypnotist to
recognize underlying triggers and causes behind anxiety-ridden
behavior. Hypnotherapy has also showed promising success in treating
addictive behaviors such as drinking, overeating, smoking and
drug use. What makes hypnotherapy so effective is that it cuts
directly to the unconscious mind, where fears and phobias are
housed. There are also physiological effects which occur during
hypnotherapy (lessening of the heart rate, reduction of the stress
inducing hormone cortisol etc.) which lessen overall anxiety
and stress.
Drugs and supplements can be
an instant fix for anxiety and stress and do promise a certain
amount of effectiveness and relief. In fact, doctors may prescribe
medication as a means of getting some of the more immediate symptoms
under control. However, if you are suffering from an anxiety
disorder or a heightened stress level, be sure to inquire about
natural treatments for anxiety such as meditation and hypnotherapy.
A holistic approach, addressing
both lifestyle and physical symptoms, can be a more effective
treatment for anxiety than conventional methods, and may just
be the answer for you. |
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