If you have been feeling sad and anxious for the last few weeks and have not taken interest in your favorite hobbies or activities you may be suffering from depression and anxiety. Depending on the type and level of your depression and anxiety you may be able to use one of the many natural anxiety remedies. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to take a prescription when you are struggling with more than the normal blues or worries. In fact you do not even have to take natural anxiety remedies such as herbals. In addition to herbals there are a number of vitamins, and other natural remedies you can use to get depression and anxiety under control.
Herbal Treatments
If you are struggling with a great deal of worry and stress, this can wear you down very quickly. While many of the natural anxiety remedies work very well they take time to work, and if your depression and anxiety are becoming overwhelming you may not have time to wait for a remedy to do it's job. Herbal remedies can help to relax, calm, and sooth nerves and muscles, as well as work as mood elevators to get you the relief you need. This gives you time to work on the cause of the depression with a therapist or using other natural anxiety remedies.
The most popular herbal natural anxiety remedies are those that elevate mood such as St. John's Wort, 5HTP and SAMe. Valerian, chamomile, passionflower, hops, lavender, and skullcap are the most popular natural anxiety remedies, but are also used to help treat depression. They can sooth a nervous stomach, relax muscles, and help with insomnia.
Cognitive Therapy
Therapy has long been one of the most effective natural anxiety remedies, but available treatments have significantly improved over the years, and have become the front line defense for a drug free recovery from both depression and anxiety. Mindfulness based cognitive therapy has been studied by a number of researchers including the psychologists from the University of Exeter. Studies have proven that this marriage between meditation and cognitive therapy is just as effective if not more effective than other traditional and natural anxiety remedies. During eight sessions patients are taught the technique and then instructed to use it at home. Sessions consist of 30 minutes daily. What makes this type natural anxiety remedies so effective is that the likelihood of relapse is much lower than it is with medication.
Eating Healthy and Exercise
While eating healthy and exercising may not in and of itself cure a depression, they are natural anxiety remedies that can be used with any other treatments. These steps will only enhance any other treatments you use, allowing you to gain control over depression and anxiety much faster. There is no magic diet for depression, but most people who are depressed let their diet go. Eating better and giving your body better nutrition will naturally help you to feel better.
Exercise on the other hand, can have a real effect on depression and anxiety. Not only will exercising boost self-esteem and self-confidence, but it also produces endorphins which are feel good chemicals that can boost your mood.
Depression and anxiety are disorders that can take control of your life, unless you take control of it first. With the right natural anxiety remedies, such as herbal and nutritional supplements, therapy, and self-care, you can recover from depression and anxiety and do so without having to take long term drugs and run the risk of relapses. Natural anxiety remedies are meant to provide a long term solution without the serious side effects of traditional medications.