The other day I was at the shop, doing my normal shopping- getting myself some yogurt, maybe a warm-up meal for dinner. I saw a woman and her husband kitted out in masks and gloves, running up and down the aisles each with a trolley full of stuff. They had clearly discussed their game plan before-hand and were weaving through people trying to get in and out as quickly as possible. What made me really notice this couple, though, was the woman’s face. Her face was bright red and she was nearly in tears. Her discomfort in being there was palpable. She wanted to get out as soon as possible. Back to the safety of her home.
Tensions are running high right now- people fighting with each other in public, on social media, in community chat groups, people bulk-buying sanitizers, food, water, toilet paper. It’s because people have each gone into “survival mode”. It’s not necessarily about what we can do to survive these trying times together- it’s about self-preservation. How do I make sure I (and my loved ones) get through this. It’s the reason people are panic-buying, leaving nothing on the shelf for others. These reactions are coming from a place of anxiety.
Anxiety is a horrible, uncomfortable feeling that we get when we face uncertainty. The feeling is tied to a bunch of “what ifs”: What if I lose my business? What if I get sick? What if I run out of food? What if I’m in a crowd (like a line at the store) and someone around me is sick?… We are grappling with the fear of what these things could mean for us in the future. It’s a scary time, and these feelings are understandable. However, we need to look after our mental health, and ensure that the anxiety doesn’t drag us down. Here are a few ideas to try and relieve your anxiety:
- Get help
- Homeopathic medicine
- Herbal medicine
- Supplements
- Exercise
Get help: I will always advocate for getting the mental help you need. There is no shame in reaching out. There are professionals out there who are dedicated to looking after you and your mental health! Talk to someone about your feelings so that they can help you cope. If you don’t want to speak to a professional (again, I highly recommend it) you should at least confide in a trusted loved one who will listen to you and acknowledge your feelings.
Homeopathic medicine: Homeopathy has a beautiful application in mental health and is safe to take whether you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or have pre-existing health conditions. Homeopathic medications applied in mental health can assist you in coping better with your feelings. There are so many different medications that apply to you and your individual experience in your anxiety, and because we are dealing with something fragile- in this case mental health- I would recommend that you seek advice from a qualified Homeopathic practitioner.
Herbal medicine: Unlike homeopathic medicine, herbal medications are not always safe during pregnancy, breastfeeding, with certain medications, and certain pre-existing health conditions. But when used correctly can provide relief in anxiety symptoms. A really great herb to use is Ashwagandha. Ashwagandha is what we call an adaptogenic. It basically helps your body to “adapt” in times of chronic stress. When we are stressed for a long period of time cortisol is released by the adrenal glands (aptly names, the stress hormone) to essentially help keep you going. But this can wreak havoc on our body, resulting in difficulty sleeping, weight gain, feelings of anxiety- to name a few. This study showed some really awesome effects of Ashwagandha on lowering cortisol levels and improving sleep and anxiety symptoms!
Supplements: There are some really great supplements out there that can be used to help calm your anxiety. You know that feeling that your brain is running a million miles per hour in stressful situations? GABA is a supplement that can help to calm your brain down. Basically, it acts directly on your cells and inhibits the over-activation in your brain (read more science here!).Another supplement is L-theanine- one of my favourites. An amino acid (found in green tea) that has a whole host of effects on the brain including increasing GABA, and increasing seratonin to certain parts! The effects of L-theanine can be felt anything from 30-120 minutes after taking it. (Here’s an interesting study highlighting the anti-stress effects of L-theanine).
Exercise: While I understand that getting yourself up and moving is difficult when you feel like you’ve got so many other things to worry about, it’s really worth the effort. Exercise can help your brain release endorphins, increases neurotropic factors (that help your neurons grow and function), and also gives you a chance to just zone out and do something other than worry about what you’re so anxious about. This article is really cool and goes into a lot more detail about the effects of exercise on anxiety!
For more ideas on how to maintain your mental health during this trying period, or even in general, please go and read this post I recently wrote! I think you’ll like it!
Stay happy and healthy!
If you’re interested in finding out more about helping your anxiety during this trying period, pop me an email at Info@DrLornaBlackwell.co.za or visit my website and make a booking online!
Disclaimer! As always, if you are struggling with your mental health, please reach out and speak to a professional. Always consult your qualified primary healthcare provider before starting any supplements, herbal/homeopathic medications, and undergoing exercise that may be too strenuous for you.
Love Naturally 