When it comes to look for alternative ways to help reduce the symptoms of anxiety and stress many people will turn to alternative complementary products that can work in tandem with any prescription medication that they may be on.
There are a number of different products and methods that you could look at and these include:
- Essential Oils – these oils have been used for thousands of years and are gradually make a resurgence back into mainstream life. It is worth noting that before you embark on using any essential oils you should consult a professional aromatherapist to ensure that you do not have any medical conditions that means you shouldn’t use certain oils, and to learn the safe ways in which to use them. Oils that are often used to help with stress and anxiety include, lavender, geranium, jasmine and chamomile. They can be used to diffuse into the air, combined with a carrier oil and rubbed into the body and or included in a mixture that can be rubbed into the various pulse points on the body.
- Meditation – this is another practice that has been around for thousands of years and it can help to quieten the mind down when it is racing with thoughts. The important thing to remember with meditation is that it isn’t about clearing your mind of any thoughts it is about noticing your thoughts come and go and only taking on board those thoughts that serve you in that moment. It is about learning to be comfortable with your thoughts and emotions and learning that they come and go and nothing is permanent.
- Mindfulness activities – mindfulness is a great way to bring yourself back to the present moment and to connect with your environment and your body. It can be very easy when you are anxious and stress to almost feel out of connection with your body and the world. SImple mindfulness practices include colouring, drawing and using your senses to notice what is around you in the moment. This last practice is used well for people who are experiencing a panic attack. They are asked to notice one thing that they can see, one they can hear, one they can smell, one thing they can touch and one they can taste. Bringing your focus into the here and now and the immediate moment and utilising all of your senses to do so can calm a panic attack and bring you back into the present moment.
As well as these three methods there are many other ways that you can help with stress and anxiety including exercise, taking a slow walk outside,reading and taking a bath. What works best for one person will depend very much on that individual and their unique circumstances.