Melatonin May Be the Safest Remedy for Anxiety

Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland that helps regulate other hormones and maintains the body's circadian rhythm. For some people, melatonin seems to help improve sleep. It also may be the safest remedy for anxiety.

... Melatonin may be the best remedy for people suffering from anxiety disorders. Also, you don’t have to suffer from an anxiety disorder to use melatonin.

All of us experience anxiety occasionally when faced with or stressing over a challenging situation and melatonin can be used for that as well.

As it is also a sleep aid, it can be used for white-knuckled fliers trembling at the thought of boarding an airplane. Read more

Dark Chocolate: The New Antianxiety Drug?

Chocolate is a comfort food and for good reason. It really does relieve anxiety. A new study found that eating chocolate reduced levels of their stress hormones, and the changes were “biologically significant."

OK, so it may not be kosher for me to report on a chocolate study that was conducted by an employee of a chocolate maker at the chocolate maker’s own research lab. Get over it. The results of this new study are intriguing and shed more light on the biochemical basis behind dark chocolate’s health benefits.

The team of researchers was led by Sunil Kochhar, PhD, who heads the BioAnalytical Science Department at the Nestlé Research Center in Switzerland. He and his colleagues designed the study to see whether eating dark chocolate every day for two weeks could affect the way the body metabolizes stress hormones. Read more

Kava Kava: A Natural Anxiety Reducer

Kava kava has been used as a ceremonial beverage in the Pacific Islands for thousands of years. It is believed to have originated in Melanesia, and been drunk for hundreds of years by native islanders. In addition to its ceremonial purposes, kava is perhaps best known for its relaxing qualities. Kava is said to elevate mood, well-being, and contentment, and produce a feeling of relaxation. Several studies have found that kava may be useful in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, and related nervous disorders.

Summer is coming to a close and September is the biggest month for going back to school, acquiring new projects at work, and no doubt a new set of things to be anxious about. Instead of popping prescription meds for that new bout of anxiety, stop it before it gets too far with a little bit of natural help. The Kava kava plant is here to help slow your mind and reduce your workday, school day, and dinner time anxieties.

Kava kava—or scientifically termed Piper methysticum—is native to many island nations in and around Polynesia (including Hawaii) where it has been used for centuries as a ceremonial herb to induce intoxication as a way to calm the patrons of celebrations. Although the kava plant has large, green leaves and stems, the actual root is the only part of the plant that is used for medicinal or recreational purposes. Read more

Sunflower Seeds Are Nature's Answer to Antidepressant Drugs

Which are better for anxiety and depression: antidepressant drugs or sunflower seeds? Since studies show that antidepressant drugs don't work, why not give tasty, nutritious sunflower seeds a try?

Sunflowers are the earthly representation of the sun. They have such an affinity for the life giving force that they twist on their stems so their faces can bask in sunlight all through the day. Photons from the sun are stored in the DNA of the sunflower, making its seed resonate with the photons in human cells. This resonance is good for mind as well as body, and makes sunflowers one of the top foods for fighting depression.

Key nutrients raise serotonin levels and boost nerve function naturally

If we believe that we are what we eat, it is clear that nerves depend on what they are fed. While all of the wealth of nutrients found in sunflower seeds contributes to nerve health, sunflower seeds are particularly rich in key nutrients that have a direct impact on alleviating depression. Their high levels of magnesium counterbalance calcium, helping to regulate nerve function. And the substantial content of the amino acid, tryptophan, enhances serotonin production and thus improves mood. Read more

10 Natural Ways to Beat the Blues

You don't need anti-depressant drugs - which don't work anyway - to fight depression. Mental health professional offer ten natural ways to beat the blues.

Charities are calling for a nationwide campaign to help promote mental health after a survey suggested more people are growing anxious. But what sort of advice might be offered?

Blame a long winter, blame media fixations with bad news, blame the credit crunch and the thought of looming global depression – Britons are more fearful than they were 10 years ago, the Mental Health Foundation says. And more people are suffering from anxiety, which can lead to depression.

The foundation wants a "mental health promotion campaign that shows individuals how to look after their own mental health".

But what might that involve? We asked mental health professionals for some simple suggestions. Read more

7 Ways to Slash Stress

We all experience stress from time to time. When stress gets to be too much, it can take a toll on our health and well-being. That's why effective stress relievers are essential in restoring inner peace and physical health. Anti-aging expert Dr. Maoshing Ni gives seven ways to reduce the stress in your life.

Chronic stress seems to be our national disease, especially these days. Millions suffer from symptoms of stress: nervous tension, restless sleep, difficulty focusing and remembering, irritability, and health complications. Generally speaking, stress speeds up aging. Learn the ways to manage stress, and you will look and feel younger. Read more

Instant Stress Blockers

Self.com says these activities can stop hormones that cause health problems and increase weight gain.

When I feel a tightening in my back or neck coming on, I cope by doing things I love, like going for a long, slow run in the park with my dog. Try a few of these instant soothers, and watch your own stress go from ARGH! to Ahhh.

Turn up the tunes. Listening to music that has a steady (not frenetic) beat may cause brain waves to keep time and relax you, research from a music symposium at Stanford University in California reports. Load your iPod with a playlist of the songs that make you happiest. Read more

Do 5 Simple Things a Day to Stay Sane

According to a UK government report, people can do five simple things a day to stay sane.

Simple activities such as gardening or mending a bicycle can protect mental health and help people to lead more fulfilled and productive lives, a panel of scientists has found.

A “five-a-day” programme of social and personal activities can improve mental wellbeing, much as eating fruit and vegetables enhances physical health, according to Foresight, the government think-tank. Its Mental Capital and Wellbeing report, which was compiled by more than 400 scientists, proposes a campaign modelled on the nutrition initiative, to encourage behaviour that will make people feel better about themselves. Read more

Green Tea and L-Theanine: Natural Anxiety Relief

Anti-anxiety medications have a long list of warnings and can lead to addiction. Green tea and the amino acid L-theanine can lower anxiety and boost mental focus without harmful side effects, says Laura Owens.

Stress, anxiety and “busy brain,” have become standard in our daily existence. Yet chronic stress and anxiety can lower your immune system (your ability to fight off illness), diminish your quality of life and even lead to depression. L-theanine might be the solution. Read more