Anxiety is a completely normal and natural feeling which all of us have from time to time. However, when anxiety becomes overwhelming and starts to interfere with your normal day to day life, you are likely going to want to find some sort of treatment.
Managing the symptoms of anxiety can range from simple tasks to more complex medical interventions – but are there ways you can treat anxiety with holistic medicine and treatment?
Well, the short answer is yes – but if you find your symptoms worsen or become unbearable, you will need to visit your GP.
There’s of course a lot to unpack here, so I’ve written this handy guide which explains everything you need to know. I’ll cover how you might treat anxiety at home with holistic medicines and treatments, along with some other methods.
Ready to find out more? Then read on for much more information!
Holistic Medicines And Treatments For Anxiety
I’ll kick off this guide by looking at some of the possible holistic medicines (see also: Holistic Medicine – The Pros & Cons Explained!)and treatments you may decide to use at home to treat your anxiety symptoms.
Remember though, everybody is different – so one treatment might be effective for some, but not others.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a very interesting form of stress and anxiety management. The process essentially involves you smelling plant oils (see also: Can Essential Oils Treat Low Estrogen?)that should soothe you and make you feel calmer and more grounded.
Some research exists on this matter. Researchers suggest here that lavender can be effective for treating the symptoms of stress and anxiety, along with more complex anxiety disorders.
It’s important to note here that some aromas will work for some people, whereas they will not be effective for others.
As with other medicines, aromatherapy is pretty subjective – so it might be worth experimenting with numerous types of aromas and scents to find yours.
Cannabidiol Oil
Cannabidiol oil or CBD oil is extracted from the cannabis plant. Unlike other types of cannabis, CBD does not have the active “high” ingredient which is known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
As a result, it is completely legal to purchase in the UK and you can actually find it in numerous products like vaping liquids and even chewing gum.
CBD has been suggested as a viable option to help treat anxiety by its calming effect on your mind and muscles. However, currently there is insufficient evidence of its complete efficacy, so take this research lightly.
I should also point out at this stage that other forms of cannabis can be detrimental to anxiety or even worsen it, along with worsening the symptoms.
For example, smoking cannabis can increase your heart rate and induce paranoia (and it’s illegal!).
Herbal Teas
Herbal teas are something that has long been hailed as a golden medicine by some groups of people. One huge benefit that herbal teas often promise is the improvement of your sleep, a reduction in anxiety symptoms and a soothing effect on your body and mind.
In fact, some research suggests that chamomile, which is a common ingredient in herbal tea, can actually change cortisol levels – which is the hormone that makes you feel stress or heightened anxiety.
Something to note here is that herbal teas aren’t for everyone and even if you are a fan of herbal teas, you might need to experiment with a few different teas to find one that works for you.
Herbs And Herbal Supplements
Much in the way that herbal teas and CBD oil have been suggested to help with the alleviation of anxiety symptoms, herbs and other herbal supplements have also received similar praise.
Indeed, Medical News lists numerous herbs and supplements.
However, there is little medical research into their efficacy. This is not to be dismissive though – as some cultures have used these treatments for centuries and still to this day swear by them.
Other Treatments For Anxiety
I will now look at some other treatments for anxiety that may be of use to you. Hopefully you find something beneficial here!
Spend Time With Pets
Research suggests that people that spend time with pets are far less likely to feel stressed and anxious, and therefore spending more time with your furry friends could potentially alleviate anxiety symptoms.
Luckily though, these pets do not have to be furry like cats and dogs – so if you have allergies, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to hear that the same feeling can be replicated with fish and birds as pets.
Exercise When Possible
It’s easy to say to someone that they should exercise, but when someone has a severe form of social anxiety – this is not an easy task.
However, there are ways to overcome this challenge.
There are many gyms in the UK nowadays that are open 24 hours a day, or you can purchase some home workout kits.
Whichever your preference, there are ways to get some excellent exercise and not need to put yourself under too much added stress and anxiety.
Exercise has been shown to help release endorphins which can improve your mood, which can also help to reduce cortisol levels. As a result, feelings of anxiety and stress could potentially be reduced.
Reduce Caffeine In Your Diet
Caffeine is a stimulant which can increase your heart rate and give you the “jitters”. While caffeine – found in things like coffee, tea, cola and energy drinks – is not going to be the root cause of your anxiety, it can exacerbate your symptoms.
Therefore, a reduction of caffeine in your diet could potentially help to manage your anxiety symptoms, but it won’t treat it wholly.
This is another “easier said than done” point, but it’s very important. Many people experience sleep anxiety which can further their general anxiety symptoms, along with the other symptoms of sleep deprivation, which can lead to numerous health conditions.
Improve Your Sleep
If you have trouble with your sleeping cycle, it’s worth speaking with a sleep specialist or your doctor for a referral. When you get quality sleep, you may start to find your anxiety symptoms are treated.
Hydrotherapy
It has been suggested that hydrotherapy can be highly beneficial for the treatment of anxiety symptoms. It can do this by improving the way your body responds to things, improve your breathing, reduce your stress, improve your blood flow and help you sleep.
All of these problems have been linked to anxiety and stress, so it’s worth thinking about hydrotherapy as a way to treat your anxiety symptoms.
Luckily, you can do your own hydrotherapy at home, albeit not in the same way, using your bath or shower.
Speak With Your GP
If you have tried everything or you find your anxiety symptoms are getting in the way of your everyday life, then you absolutely should speak with your GP.
They may recommend a course of antidepressants such as sertraline or a course of cognitive behavioural therapy.
The Bottom Line
Anxiety can be managed at home, but if you find it becomes overwhelming – you may need to get medical advice from your GP.
I'm Clare, the owner and operator of Off The Couch, where I serve as a qualified Nutrition & Health Coach.
Based in Dublin, Ireland, I offer coaching services both locally and globally, providing personalized strategies in nutrition, stress management, sleep quality, and fitness.
My journey into this field began as I navigated my own chronic illnesses, including early menopause, Interstitial Cystitis, Lyme Disease, and hydrocephalus.
