How Alternative Therapies Have Changed My Life

For me, my biggest set back in life was my Anxiety. I don't say "was" because I no longer have it because that isn't possible. I say "was" because it was a set back and today, it doesn't control me. Anxiety, just like all other disorders and or diseases, doesn't go away, but they can be, controlled verses controlling.

I have struggled with anxiety my entire life. Most of it is stemmed from my child hood and traumatic situations I have been in and or seen in my life. A chemical imbalance had caused me to not have control over my racing thoughts and fears and allowed the anxiety to claim a spot in my head.

For years, it was hard to go to the dentist because I felt trapped in the chair, work because of panic attacks and the fear that everyone was looking at me or was going to see something bad happen to me. It stopped me from doing my everyday activities until I soon became very distant from past activities and started feeling that this is how it is and I will just have to suck it up and deal with it.

Lot's of people, both anxiety victims and non victims would tell me to go get medication so I could live a normal life again. I always thought, "get on medication and live a normal life"?? This made no since to me. How are you living a normal life if you are medicated just to get through it? That wasn't the way I remembered my normal life as being.

I knew I had to do something or else I would never gain back my control and things would get worse. I have two kids to think about at this point. I started trying to research ways to get through this without medication and always stummbled upon the same thing. Medication, eat different, stop or limit the caffeine, counseling, etc. Ok, I could do all of this, but where will I find the time?

I needed something that I could do around my home life and daily chores, school etc. I started talking to a close family member briefly about my anxiety and just always feeling anxious and on edge. He told me that I needed to get in touch with my inner self and find peace. I thought he was crazy and just preaching to me. I knew who I was and what I wanted I just needed help to get there.

He came to a family dinner and for some reason, the kids were off the wall and everything was going wrong that night. Nothing was falling in place and I was overwhelmed. He stayed so calm and helped me with the kids and I was so jealous that he was able to have so much self control that I came right out and said, "what are you doing right now that is keeping you so damn calm because I am ready to call it quits"! He said I am breathing and keeping a clear mind.

Later that night before he left I asked him to tell me a little more about what he meant when he said, "find you innerself". I thought maybe he meant church or something. This is what he said to me. "You need to find who you are deep inside and in order to do this you need to learn how to relax and breathe". Again, I took it as a joke and said, "well obviously I am breathing or I wouldn't be standing here right now, I don't get it"? He told me to learn how to meditate.

He told me to do some research on it and then let him know what I think and he will answer all my questions. I figured it wouldn't hurt to check it out so I put the kids to bed that night and read for hours. I was amazed at how possible it sounded. It actually made since to me. I couldn't really picture it healing me, but it sounded like something I could try at least. I called him up the following weekend and said that I wanted to try it out. I went to a local meditation class to help me learn exactly how to meditate.

I remember feeling so relaxed and comfortable after the class. I felt very peaceful and most of all, in control of my self. I didn't think it would last while outside of the classes, but I kept going. Each time I felt better and better. I couldn't believe how much I felt in control of myself, my feelings and my thoughts. It was quite amazing. I don't think I had that much control of myself at my very best as I did when I left these classes. I just felt so calm.

Most people think they have no time for it or it isn't something that is real. It just isn't logical, but it is. I have truely found peace with myself and my mind. I do attend counseling and I do yoga as well, but I do yoga and meditation on my own time now. I do them from my home when I feel that I am starting to have racing thoughts or feelings that could spiral out of my control. That is when I clear hubby and the kids out for a couple hours and I find myself again. When I am done, I am like a new person.

In the beginning, it is a struggle and you may feel hopeless. It does seem like it will never get better, but very quickly you will feel a difference and will keep going. As hard as it is, keep going until you know how to stay home and meditate 100%. Once you can do it on your own, you can set your own schedule. Same with yoga. These are two of the best alternative ways to help heal mental and emotional struggles without having to turn to medication or other non natural ways. You can take the easy way out when in the end, you will never change or you can take the harder path that in the end, you are always who you wanted to be and naturally. Once you do this, your mind can never take control of you again. You will always know how to gain that control back before it ever gets to that point again.

I would never turn to medication knowing how this has changed me and my life. Above all, it is the most relaxing exercise ever and it feels amazing. I have never known how I feel inside and out as well as I do now. Medication would have never made me feel this good. However, a mix of yoga, meditation and counseling doesn't hurt. Support outside the home from a professional is wonderful as well.

Good luck to all and I recommend looking into meditation before medication.