Natural treatments for anxiety
Anxiety can be absolutely debilitating. Life is way too short to just tolerate feeling anxious all the time. You deserve to feel good. This blog describes my approach to natural anxiety treatment.*
*Disclaimer: this blog post is intended for use as educational information and is not to be used as medical advice. If you have undiagnosed or untreated symptoms, work with a licensed medical provider.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety shows up differently for everyone. The experience of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) can include any or all of the following symptoms:
feeling on edge and restless
frequent or constant worry
trouble relaxing
racing heart, racing mind / thoughts
lightheadedness, dizziness
shortness of breath
irritable, quick to anger, “hangry”
afraid something bad will happen
increased muscle tension
low energy and trouble sleeping
What are my options for treating anxiety?
The important thing to be aware of when it comes to treating anxiety is this: anxiety is not a diagnosis; it’s a symptom. You could line up ten different people with anxiety, and you may find ten different combinations of causes fueling their anxiety.
But if you go to the doctor looking for help with your anxiety, the doctor is likely to recommend two main treatments: 1) talk therapy, and 2) anti-anxiety medications.
These treatments may be appropriate, effective, and even necessary depending on the person, but rarely are they asking the question, why?!
Medications and therapy are just the tip of the iceberg of available treatment options—many people don’t actually realize that natural treatments for anxiety do exist, and they work.
Addressing the root cause
I want interject and offer a “reframing” of the idea of natural treatments. You may think that a Naturopathic Doctor’s main goal is to use the most natural treatment. This actually isn’t the case.
As a Naturopathic Doctor, my top priority is not to provide the most natural treatments, but the most effective treatments with the lowest risk of side effects. This is best achieved not necessarily using options that are more natural, but by exploring and treating the root cause of the anxiety (and this is the case with any symptoms you’re looking to treat).
As a Naturopathic Doctor, when someone schedules with me for help with their anxiety, the very first thing I’m doing is looking for potential root causes. Because contrary to popular belief, anxiety is not just “in your head.” It’s actually very much in your body.
Here is a (incomplete) list of potential causes of anxiety:
Elevated sympathetic dominance
Current or past traumatic stress
Undereating and blood sugar dysregulation
Various hormonal imbalances like adrenal, thyroid, and ovarian
Immune dysfunction
Inflammatory responses to toxins
Nutrient deficiencies and excesses
Gut imbalances
Underlying medical conditions
We could throw the kitchen sink of natural anxiety treatments at a person, but if we’re not addressing the cause of the symptoms, then we’re still using a bandaid instead of actually helping the bodymind heal. And occasionally anxiety is the symptom of a more severe underlying condition, so treating the cause becomes extra important.
While we’re addressing what causes anxiety in the individual person, we can use natural anxiety treatments to help them feel less anxious in the moment. These can help the person manage their anxiety while we work on the underlying healing. Whereas a Medical Doctor is likely to start with an SSRI or anti-anxiety medication, a Naturopathic Doctor often starts with alternatives to SSRIs, and then switches to an SSRI if the natural treatments aren’t providing enough relief.
Top natural treatments for anxiety
Consistent protein-rich breakfast
Decreasing stimulants like caffeine and other
Certain types of breathwork and meditation
Yin yoga
NARM therapy
L-theanine
Passionflower glycerite
Chamomile tea
Magnesium (specifically, magnesium glycinate)
Inositol
Lavela
GABA
Supplements and medications sometimes interact, so before trying any natural anxiety treatments, talk with your doctor to discuss what might work best for you.
In summary: how to treat anxiety naturally…
First, get the support you need to manage your symptoms right away, whether that’s a medication, a supplement, an herb, or a mindbody tool from the above list.
Second, investigate what might be causing your anxiety symptoms.
Find a Naturopathic Doctor or other holistic health care provider who will help you understand and treat the root cause.
Looking for personalized guidance to heal your anxiety naturally?
Dr. Savannah is a Naturopathic Physician licensed in Washington state, a NARM practitioner, and a Yoga Teacher inspired to offer root-cause healing, holistic healthcare, and personalized treatments for the whole person. She is passionate about teaching her clients how to become self-healers and reclaim their innate, embodied wisdom to move toward greater vitality.
If you’re curious about making a shift in your own health and healing, click the button below to inquire about working with Dr. Savannah