Anxiety, like tension or phobias, is the result of excessive stress. An anxious person, in other words, has an uneasy mind and when this uneasiness is recognised and understood, it can quite easily be controlled. Fear has a very significant role to play in anxiety, for the dictionary tells us that anxiety is a neurosis in which fear and apprehension control the patient’s behaviour and ideas.

How do we know if we are anxious? Pay attention to the signals given out by your body. It is surprising how many ways it can indicate the presence of anxiety – lightheadedness, headaches, backache, dry mouth, butterflies in the tummy, sweating hands, weak legs, feelings of faintness.

Anxiety is also the cause of common problems like nail-biting and lip-chewing. Such habits are merely a symptom of underlying uneasiness which must be brought to the surface. This done, it is much easier to control these habits.

In nature’s garden there are plenty of helpful remedies. In addition, every anxiety or phobia in an individual has its own characteristics and must be treated on this basis. There are, however, several methods of treatment which are of general help including relaxation, acupuncture, homœopathy, aromatherapy, herbal and flower therapy.

After recognising the problem, the first step to take is to ensure that a good balanced diet is being eaten and that protein intake is low. Animal proteins especially should be minimised or cut out altogether. A good naturopath always recommends a diet containing plenty of unrefined carbohydrates. Dr A Vogel, for instance, has said that carbohydrates are important fuel for the nervous system.

We must always remember that “You are what you eat.” The best rule to remember is to select foods which are as natural as possible. Rice, for instance, is the best yin and yang food. It is widely used in the Far East, and as well as being tasty and satisfying, it is a wonderful health remedy.

Generally you should adhere to the following guidelines:

Animal fat is prohibited. Use eggs sparingly. No white flour, white sugar (or products made with them), pork, sausages, bacon or ham. Cut down, or even better omit completely coffee, alcohol, nicotine and sweets.


Exercise

Take enough outdoor exercise in order to obtain fresh air. Increased activity is recommended. Eg. Walking instead of driving.

An ideal relaxation method is to sit down on an easy chair with your head resting and your feet flat on the floor. Breathe calmly and listen to your breath going in and out. Now take a very deep breath and, when expiring, say to yourself “relax”. Do this three times. Then say to yourself over and over again, “I can do it”, thinking of whatever your problem may be, eg. going to the shops, attending a social event or boarding an aeroplane. When you have finished creating this mental picture, pat yourself on the back for having done so well. Breathe deeply three times and open your eyes.

Please remember that if you are taking any prescribed medication or have a medical problem, you should consult your own medical practitioner before starting any new course of treatment

It is not appropriate to make specific recommendations via our website, please contact the clinic for an appointment or call our helpline.

Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Reiki, Stress counselling,