Laughter Is...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdQnuqFlD7U
Enjoy!
(Maryland, Usa)
10/15/2009
(Thousand Oaks, Ca, USA)
10/15/2009
So, I called everyone over as I began this and could see it was the metro of France- at least it appeared to be. Paris is one of our all time favorite places and we all gave a collective sigh to see it. Well, we watched and then the laughing became infectious here as well as in that metro car! What fun and a good laugh! Laughing definitely lifts the spirits...
(Sacramento, Ca)
10/15/2009
Meditation
★★★★★
The best way for me to reduce my daily mental and emotional stress is to meditate. It is not as easy as taking a pill but it is more effective in the long run. There are many different styles of meditation but the basic theme is that you sit down and calm your mind, slowing down or stopping the stressful thoughts that you don't even realize are zipping through your mind.
Here is a good article to give you a brief overview.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/meditation/HQ01070
I would recommend that you also go to youtube.com and do a search for "meditation" and watch some different videos to get a sense of what it is all about. You might also want to go to the library and get some books on meditation or find a local meditation group where you can practice and learn from others. Don't expect overnight results, as a matter of fact it will probably take you about 10 sessions before you start to get some results, but hang in there because it is worth it.
Multiple Remedies
★★★★★
1) Getting as much extra sleep as possible, even if it meant going to bed hours early when i could. This REALLY helped in the long-term.
2) Taking a multivitamin and B-complex vitamin
3) (I also read that extra C, Zinc, and the other 'essentials' is great for a.f. recovery. I did this as well)
4) Taking a teaspoon of baking soda with Apple Cider Vinegar in the a.m. and afternoon to keep my energy and sharpness going. ACV is also a great immediate stress-soother.
5) NOT drinking coffee
6) Eating an extrodinarily healthful diet; Keeping myself full (avoiding any low blood sugar spells)
7) Drinking Matcha green tea which is amazing for soothing stress and not over-caffinating (though completely limiting caffeine is ideal)
8) As much soothing relaxing activities as necessary, "Self Care".
9) Taking Bee Pollen (I read this is excellent for a.f. recovery)
10) avoiding unnecessary stressful conversations whenever possible, limiting conversation with 'draining' people, or avoiding anything else that might rile or tense me up.
10) I also took advice from the stress page about 'stress foods', particularly adding pistachios and barley to my diet.
11) I also tried to educate those close to me about how one under stress/adrenal fatigue might react or be very in need of elevated support and gentle treatment during this time, and that helped immensely.
I hope this information will help someone else as well, and I'll keep reading these pages for more insights.
(Toronto, On, Canada)
09/26/2009
Poppy Seeds
★★★★★
Poppy seeds have been shown to reduce cortisol levels in the body. Blend them in smoothies, bake with them or boil them and drink as tea. Be careful though, they make the body so relaxed sleep comes very easily. So they are good for insomniacs too.
Other plants that work against stress are adaptogens - rhodiola, moringa, pine pollen, ashwaganda, cacao, maca, holy basil, etc. Read up on adaptogens.
Rhodiola
★★★★★
The trouble is emotional stress through working in sales and in call centre/cold calling positions, coupled with moving house 8 times since then, money worries due to time off work and a small amount of debt. Not to mention relationship up heaval and my parents domestics.
I've had several tests including but not limited to blood tests to check my thyroids, hormonal levels, my heart function on a stress test, a bubble test and a Echocardiogram. - The only thing thats been found is that I have Gilberts Syndrome and a small hole in my heart (pfo). Neither of which are life threatening.
I still get some symtoms but I have found some assurance having the echocardiogram recently. It also helps if I eat cruciferous vegetables and a balance diet with omega 3 via hemp oil intake and fish. However stress often creaps up if I have too much going on in and outside work. So Ive had mind blanks, headaches, almost double vision, dizziness, General anxiety, being tense and having back pain even this month.
I tried L-Tyrptophan but it was only very mildly helping. Since then I have come accross Rhodiola. I have the Higher Nature Stress relief version. I have to say its been incredible alongside light excercise and weights. My mind is clearer, the dizziness is 10 times better and in the bedroom I dont feel as anxious. Im going to keep on with these but I seriously would recommend this to anyone with anxiety or stress related issues.
Rhodiola
★★★★★
I really noticed that this worked when I stopped taking it for a week to cycle it. Back to being tired and not wanting to do much.
This herb has given me my life back. It sounds cliche, but it's true.
Rhodiola
★★★★★
Thanks to rhodiola, i'm almost back to my old self, except for this lingering little bit of anxiety. rhodiola works best with other herbs, acutally makes those other herbs work better then if u were to take them alone. My stress is so dramatically reduced, i almost feel normal again.
I'm currently on the search for the best combination to combat this left over anxiety issue, looks like i'll try 5-htp as people seem to have success with this combo.
I've been using the Arctic Root brand, from proactivebio, and currently trying out the Ameriden brand..just google ameriden..you'll find it...apparantly its from Siberia where this root was first discovered.
And as far as i know..you cannot grow it properly here, the active compounds will not be present if grown here, needs that cold arctic condition to grow properly.
U have nothing but to benefit from taking this herb. I'm getting my whole family on it now!
and usually takes about 2-3 weeks before you really notice the effects!
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
06/07/2008
I find this info very helpful. I am currently taking Effexor for anxiety and have been wanting to get off of it. Did you just stop taking it or did your doctor lessen the dosage slowly? Did you have withdrawls? I have attempted to stop taking it a couple of times and have had awful withdrawl symptoms! I would appreciate your suggestions.
To the lady on Effexor and had withdrawal symptoms when tried to stop it. The way to wean yourself off any medicine is to decrease dosage a little each day or two until you are down to none. ie: If you are on a tablet that is breakable, take 1/2 of prescribed dosage for 1 or 2 days - then decrease to l/4 of prescribed dosage for the next two days. Unless your tablet is unusually big, you'll have to start decreasing the number of doses per day until you are down to none. I think that if you add a magnesium supplement while decreasing the Effexor, it will also help the anxiety.
(Quebec)
11/14/2015
I agree with not using Effexor. My wife finally got off it by very slowly reducing the daily amount. The following was the only way she could, without bad side effects. We actually took apart the capsule and counted the little balls. The first week we took out 5 percent and the following week another 5. After many months she was able to drop it all together. Hope this helps someone.
(Granite Bay, Ca)
11/15/2015
Effexor is poison. My daughter had a terrible time coming off of it. It took her about 9 months.
We titrated similarly--very small reductions in mg's for 10-14 days at a time, then another very small reduction in mg's, etc. Towards the end, when her mg's were very low and difficult to split, we did water titration--you put the mg's that remain in a bit of water, let it dissolve, then drink half of the water and save the other half for your next dose.
Her doctor told her to come down 25 mg's at a time, then stop entirely after a couple of weeks. Ridiculous! When she followed 'doctor's orders', she felt like she was going to die. She had dreadful side-effects that landed her in the ER.
I did some research and had her titrate super-slowly, and while it took a long time, she was finally able to be FREE of it.
What a nightmare, though!
Stress Remedies
EC: For those interested in learning more about this condition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telogen_effluvium
Supplements
I heard about Sensoril yesterday and do know much about it. It is supposed to be good for everyday stress and fatigue. I want to try it, but I want to know if anyone had any luck while trying this. I suggest if they open a new for this herb. Thanks and God bless you all.
Wim Hof Breathing Method
★★★★★
EC: The Wim Hof breathing technique is as follows:
Sitting in a comfortable place, take 30-40 quick, deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Then, take a deep breath and exhale; hold until you need to breathe in. Inhale again, as deep as you can, and hold it for 10 seconds. Repeat as many times as you like.
More details here: https://www.wimhofmethod.com/breathing-exercises
