natural anxiety reflief

Meditation and/or yoga. Meditation greatly helps anxiety. Try out meditation apps and see if you like it to get started and if you do, maybe pay for a monthly or yearly membership, or do it on your own without an app. I use "Calm" and it's a great resource.

@ Lucille1, I completely agree with your natural reliefs! Wine helps a lot.

I'm thinking of doing some more yoga maybe when I can't go do a heavy workout (late at night).

I'm not ashamed of taking medication at all-- at the time I was on it I knew I absolutely needed it, I just want to try to control it on my own/ with more natural remedies, especially because of the negative effects of the medicines I was on.

@stokedtobeasaucier thank you! I will definitely check that out!!

Seconding Lucille on this one, I have generalized anxiety disorder and no amount of natural anxiety relief is sufficient, its important to take the pills balanced with the natural remedies too. If you felt numbed by the medicine its very possible you hadn't yet found the right prescription and the right dosage for you. If your doctor wasn't helpful in finding that balance you should seek out another medical opinion. For me I have been able to maintain a lower dose of anxiety medicine by practicing yoga every single day, meditating, and taking a few hours every week to have just me time, but those things alone do not overcome the need for medicine that is prescribed by my doctor based on my diagnosis.

Not to be brash but have you tried weed? I know it helps others in similar situations.

I was also going to say cannibis like the post above me. That, exercise and yoga work for me.

This may sound crazy but essential oils in a diffuser have really helped me.

Also weed works wonders.

ETA: Im also taking medication and seeing a therapist. While the natural stuff helps, I would be a mess without my meds.

Decaffeinated tea (I like Tazo's cucumber white tea)

Exercise, especially running, yoga, pilates

Meditation and mindfulness podcasts and practice

Sleep podcasts, like Sleep With Me, if your anxiety is worst when you're trying to fall asleep

Volunteering - I volunteer with two animal rescues and a cancer charity and it has really helped me feel extra strong and confident knowing I'm contributing positively. Plus, you know, I get to cuddle soooo many kittens.

Good luck, be gentle and patient with yourself, work closely with professionals like your doc and therapist while you continue the transition, and we're here if you need us.

See a therapist. They can teach you behavioral techniques to help with anxiety. Look for someone who does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Therapist and try other medications. There are a LOT of meds that do double duty, like the antidepressant you were on. BuSpar is the only anti-anxiety medication that is solely for anxiety.

If a doctor (psychiatrist, don't see your PCP for mental health. It's like having a gyn do surgery on your heart: they might know basics, but that is NOT their training!) says you need meds, then take the meds, but don't be afraid to try different ones to find something that actually works for you without the numbness/emotional disconnect.

I'll third or fourth Cannabis. If you don't want to get high (which quite frankly, after taking both things myself, is the same kind of high as Valium or xanax but not addictive and natural) you can find CBD which has the high inducing THC taken out. If medical cannabis is legal in your state, you go to a doctor who diagnoses you and suggests what you should take and you get a card. It really is just as legitimate a treatment as any pharmaceutical and way better for you.

I started walking/running and yoga/stretches. Also am doing daily POSITIVE mantras. They are on sticky notes on my bathroom mirror and I read them everyday as I brush my teeth.

I'm still medicated tho, and seeing a therapist who helps a bunch. There is a generic for Lexapro now if that is any help!

Although I like @Lucille a lot, I have to disagree with alcohol. That's how I handled my anxiety before I was medicated and it was just...bad.

I also disagree with weed. Although some states have legalized it, it's not worth the risk if you live in a state that hasn't. If you get hurt on the job and need to file workers comp, one of the first things that'll happen is you'll get piss tested. Just something to think about.

Exercising and finding some kind of hobby are probably the best things to do. When I feel myself getting anxious, I find a new recipe to try out. Cooking is so relaxing to me.

Exercise helps but anxiety is chronic...I started taking lexipro and it has changed my life. I wish I started sooner. It makes me feel like myself again. If you don't feel like yourself on your previous meds try something else. The side effects were pretty minimal- just got really tired so I started taking it at night, and had some queasiness but it all went away. I've gone off it before and had no side effects. Hope you feel better

I've spent the past yr eliminating any extra commitments/freeing up time for myself n learning to enjoy a slower paced life. I haven't tried meditation yet but love yoga n nature walks...

Hard exercise and, if you're having trouble sleeping, eucalyptus and lavender essential oils.

This is my specialty. I talk this shit all day. I'm a therapist. First off stay away from caffeine it increases your heart rate which exacerbates your anxiety symptoms.

Some good anxiety relief is coping skills. I don't care what people say DEEP (slow/controlled) BREATHING works. If you truly focus on your breathing your heart rate will drop and it will help you feel more relaxed.

Another good coping skill for anxiety is changing your thoughts and behaviors. Do something to distract yourself like listen to upbeat music, watch a funny movie, clean the house, play with animals/kids. Once you focus on something else you'll find you don't have time to feel as anxious.

You're reading into it wrong @mrs fall bride. I love mental health! I certainly wouldn't give my input if I didn't care and want to support others. And there is no need for the quotations around my profession!

I stopped taking my anxiety meds for the same reason. Eventually I was able to overcome by really working hard to improve my overall mental health and not overtax myself. When I do get anxious I try to address what is causing those feelings and ask myself will this kill me? Or questions like that, to get down to the bottom of it and find peace. When certain events trigger bad anxiety I go talk to a therapist and we work it out together. Haven't been on meds in over a year and a half now and in the past eight months I think is really when I started overcoming my anxiety. And it had been so bad before that I was on an anti-psychotic to treat it, because nothing else was strong enough.

Definitely talk to your doctor about it. I split my pills in half and take a half at a time so that may help. Definitely try meditation and also try to get to know what your triggers are. I found that once I realized what they were and I could remove myself from the situation, I became less dependent on my meds.