4 Kitchen Remedies for Anxiety
The feeling of anxiety is somewhat unavoidable in this life – that is if you go anywhere and do anything and challenge yourself in any new ways. Why, even watching some Grey’s Anatomy could elicit a little anxiety! But when anxiety becomes a longstanding, perpetual problem it can lead to more serious health problems. Plus, calming those jumpy nerves of yours naturally feels good. We’ve got a few remedies to give a go the next time you feel the anxiety rising within you.
Anxiety is essentially a result of “fight or flight,” a natural response mechanism in the body that was quite useful back when we had to deal with the wiles of the wild, such as natural predators. But now, life is riddled with things that elicit this response — from long needles at the dentist’s office to driving in an insane storm to the in laws coming over for dinner and the pressure of a job or even the mere mention of someone’s name — causing our hearts to beat faster, blood pressure to rise and a host of other symptoms of everyday anxiety (such as heart palpitations, sense of impending doom, inability to concentrate, muscle tension, dry mouth, sweating, and a jittery feeling in the pit of the stomach). Use the following home remedies to help – if not cure – some of your anxiety symptoms.
Oranges As a part of your anti-anxiety diet, oranges should be your allstar. Two studies in dentist offices found that diffusing the essential oil of orange into the air helped calm the nerves of ansy patients. If only all hospitals, doctors’ offices and dentists’ offices would jump on the orange aromatherapy wagon! By simply peeling and sniffing an orange, your blood pressure can drop a couple of points. So, the next time you need to ease your mind, sit down, relax and mindfully peel a large orange. You can eat it too! Oranges are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants that help keep the body in a healthful state of being.
Orange Juice If one symptom of your anxiety becomes a racing heart rate, stir 1 teaspoon of honey and a pinch of nutmeg into a cup of orange juice for a mellowed out libation.
Rosemary Used in the Middle Ages to ward off “evil spirits,” rosemary has a calming effect on the nerves. Make a tea by adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried herb to a cup boiling water; steep for 10 minutes, then drink. Inhaling rosemary can be relaxing, too. Burn a sprig, or use rosemary incense to ease anxiety.
Baking soda Add 1/3 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup minced fresh ginger to a nice warm bath. Soak in the tub for 15 minutes to relieve tension and anxiety.
Lastly, breathe. Perhaps some meditation and/or yoga will bring you the calm you crave.
source: Discovery Heath
image: Rego – d4u.hu
