It's normal to suffer from occasional anxiety. Anxiety is the body's natural response to a stressful situation. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, anxiety can result in muscle tension, restlessness, insomnia, a racing heartbeat, sweating, fatigue or irritability. These symptoms generally pass when the anxiety-causing stimuli subsides. There are also several ways to relieve anxiety that you can implement when you start to notice the symptoms.
Exercise
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, regular, intense exercise can have a positive effect on anxiety. Exercise increases the production of "feel good" chemicals--neurotransmitters and endorphin--in your body. Exercise can also provide you with a helpful way of releasing excess stress and tension and can possibly distract you from anxiety-causing events or situations. If you've never followed an exercise program before, start with something easy. Sign up for a yoga class or take a walk with a coworker during your lunch break.
Meditate
Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years. It offers a way of quieting the mind and body, slowing down the reactions of the central nervous system. According to the Mayo Clinic, meditation can restore feelings of calm and peace whenever you feel anxious or stressed. You can practice a variety of meditation techniques. Guided meditation involves the use of a CD or DVD while you relax and listen to various verbal cues. In mindfulness meditation, you focus on being aware of the present moment, simply observing thoughts and emotions without attaching any particular meaning to them. You can take mindfulness meditation lessons at many community meditation or yoga centers, or you can purchase a book or CD to guide you through the process.
Herbs
The use of herbs can be helpful in relieving anxiety, however, you should consult your doctor before taking any herbal remedy. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, herbs such as valerian and passionflower may be beneficial if you suffer from anxiety. Valerian is commonly used to treat insomnia and is often combined with lemon balm to reduce levels of anxiety. The UMMC indicates that in a few studies, passionflower was shown to be as effective as certain benzodiazepines in alleviating anxiety. Lavender is an herb that is used by herbalists and aromatherapists for its stress and anxiety-relieving properties. You can use one to two teaspoons of the whole, dried herb in a cup of boiling water to make a relaxing tea. You could also use 10 to 20 drops of the essential oil in a warm bath whenever you feel tense or anxious.
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