Feeling anxious occasionally is a normal response but when it starts to be more regular and impacts on your life it’s time to get some help. Anxiety and low mood are becoming more common in Western society. If you or someone you know, feels anxious and or avoids social situations, work functions don’t ignore it, there are people out there that can help.
Common Symptoms
Heart rate increases
Racing mind, difficult to think clearly
Hot flushes, sweaty and clammy skin
Frequent gastrointestinal upsets
Feelings of excessive worry, panic, fear or guilt
Repetitive thoughts or behaviours
Feeling tense and unable to relax
Tips to help you reduce your anxiety
Connect with friends; friends keep you connected and maintain your social network
Exercise is a great strategy which has been shown to improve mood and reducing feelings of stress and anxiety
Choose healthy food; make sure you eat protein (eggs, meat, fish, tofu, legumes, beans, tempeh, nuts & seeds at each meal)
Avoid sugary processed food as sugar can increase your feelings of anxiety and a low mood
Avoid caffeine; tea and coffee are stimulants which can increase anxiety
Join a yoga group; yoga improves strength and promotes flexibility and relaxation.
Try meditation; meditation will still the mind and help you find your internal peace.
Breathing; practice deep breathing exercises; find a comfortable spot.
Then breathe in deeply while counting to 4
Hold for your breathe for the count of 4
Breathe out while counting to 4
Repeat 5-10 times depending on time available
Deep breathing switches on your parasympathetic nervous system which has the opposite actions to the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and is associated with relaxation of muscles and a feeling of calm. The SNS is involved in flight or fight response when you are confronted with danger. it allows you to find the energy or strength to fight or run away. When we are exposed to chronic stress, SNS remains activated making us feel tense, unable to relax, wired and tired as refreshing sleep is often difficult without supplements or medication.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms your healthcare professional can help you. Neuro energetic kinesiology along with herbal, flower and nutritional supplements can help you improve your emotional resilience.
Neuro Energetic Kinesiology
Kinesiology is a great tool for identifying and diffusing stress. When there are unresolved issues which are often traumatic and the person was unable to resolve at the time it will often be stored in the body. It will then present as pain, stiffness in a part of the body or on occasions as anxiety or feelings of panic depending on the intensity and the person’s experience.
Neuro energetic kinesiology will help the person work through that issue using a variety of tools such as essential oils, acupressure or sound such as bells or tuning forks to negate that energy and allow the body to function better. It will remove the emotional charge associated with at memory or experience.
Depending on the issue, people may well need physical support such as herbal or flower remedies to assist them to resolve the underlying cause of anxiety and or pain. On occasions these physical symptoms will need herbal or supplements along with flower remedies to support the person during the healing process. In some cases, chronic stress and anxiety will result in poor functioning gut. Your naturopath can help rebuild your gut so your neurotransmitters which affect mood and feelings of anxiety work more efficiently.
Herbal Medicine
There are a number of herbs which are effective in reducing anxiety and nervousness and are often prescribed by a herbalist or naturopath in a combination of liquid herbs or a tablet depending on your symptoms.
Passiflora is a calming herb which will reduce your anxiety and feelings associated with panic. It will support the neurotransmitter GABA which downgrades feelings of anxiety and promotes sleep when people have trouble switching off at night.
Piper methysticum is another great herb to treat anxiety, emotional stress and panic attacks. It will also improve your quality of sleep
Lavandula Augustifolia is also suitable for anxiety, nervous excitability or indigestion. It can be taken as a herb or used topically as an essential oil
Melissa officinalis is often used to treat anxiety whose symptoms are affecting their digestion as it has a calming effect on the digestion
Australian Bush Flower Remedies
Australian flower remedies were first used by the indigenous people where they would lie under that tree or in a bed of flowers to absorb that energy from the plant and flowers they needed. As this is not practical solution these days, the energy of the flowers as been stored in bottles and is now prescribed in drop doses.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and the lifestyle tips are not enough to allay those feelings of fear and anxiety why don’t you try the services of a holistic health practitioner. Neuro energetic kinesiology and or the services of a naturopath can restore your quality of life. As health professionals we can work with your medical practitioner and or psychologist/psychiatrist to achieve the best for you. Health rebates available for naturopathy.
We can help, Book an appointment.