Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety from time to time. Levels of anxiousness can range from general uneasiness to full-blown panic attacks, or fall somewhere in between. In fact, anxiety is now the most commonly reported mental health concern among adults, and numbers are rising among children as well.
A Way to Explain Your Unexplained Anxiety
It’s inevitable that we feel anxious sometimes. Situations and experiences past and present, as well as personal phobias, can cause a range of reactions from accelerated heartbeat and sweaty palms to full-on panic attacks with shortness of breath, tightening of the chest and nausea. During this pandemic, many people are suffering from general anxiety not necessarily tied to any specific event, and the inability to justify the anxiety only adds to it. This is often called “unexplained anxiety,” and as much as you try meditation, long walks and confiding in friends, it doesn’t go away. In fact, sometimes symptoms increase to include low libido, trouble concentrating, low mood and a loss of interest in self-care. In my experience, there is no such thing as unexplained anxiety. You just have to know where to look for the explanation — and the answer is often in your genes.
Not One Size Fits All
People who suffer from anxiety commonly have a basic fundamental variation at a genetic level — a defect (SNP) in a particular gene that leads to decreased production of GABA, a neurotransmitter that has a natural mood-boosting, calming effect on the nervous system. If a patient produces too little GABA for their body type, it can most definitely lead to anxiety, concentration and memory issues, trouble sleeping and low mood. Conventional medical doctors working from a list of symptoms tend to treat anxiety patients in a one-size-fits-all, trial-and-error fashion, ranging from the dismissive (“think positive,” “get some fresh air/exercise,”) to the aggressive (mind-dulling pharmaceuticals.) While prescription medications can help, they only mask the issue and artificially improve mood. The cause of the problem is still unknown, meaning a patient must stay on meds long term to avoid a recurrence. While there are many shared symptoms among anxiety sufferers, mood disorders manifest very differently in different people, because the problem often starts at the genetic level. That’s why one size fits all generally doesn’t.
Getting to the Root Cause
The holistic approach to any medical complaint goes beyond treating the symptoms. We look at the body as a whole to get to the root cause of the problem. Once identified, we treat conditions in a way that’s unique to the patient, without the use and side effects of prescription medications. Genetic testing can be a great tool to help isolate the unique factors leading to your anxiety, and while it used to be hugely expensive, it is now very affordable and regularly used in holistic diagnostics. Trust me, once a patient realizes there is a genetic explanation for their “unexplained anxiety,” the relief is almost palpable, because it means they’re not doomed to feel that way forever or take mood/mind-altering drugs for the rest of their life. Call us to see how genetic testing can enable us to tailor personalized nutrition and wellness plans to naturally combat your anxiety.
Healthy Ways to Deal with Anxiety
As with other mental health conditions, it’s possible to find significant relief from anxiety with treatment, and there are a number of natural options available. Beneficial treatment option for anxiety disorders is acupuncture. More and more research show the often-immediate effectiveness of this ancient healing art for treating generalized anxiety disorder by restoring the uninterrupted flow of life energy, or Qi, along with the body’s meridians.
Mediation
Mediation is another valuable tool for reducing stress, and in doing so, reducing anxiety. In fact, if anxiety, changes the structure and function of your brain in negative ways, which it does, meditation can change it positively, productive ways. Regularly practicing meditation, and the measured breathing associated with it can reduce anxiety symptoms and even reverse damage previously caused by anxiety.
Massage
Massage is another proven and effective treatment for reducing anxiety, especially when enhanced with essential oils. These natural, plant-based “medicines,” such as lavender, frankincense, bergamot and rose oils, among others, have been used since ancient times as a natural remedy for anxiety because they are so effective at creating a feeling of calm and relaxation. The benefits of aromatherapy massage can be prolonged by diffusing oils at home or applying them to strategic points on the body. It’s very important to use therapeutic grade oils, however, to ensure they have not been diluted and are in their purest form.
Talk Therapy
Talk therapy not only involves working with a therapist to actively reduce anxiety symptoms but talking with a friend or spouse about what is causing your stress. Sometimes a close friend can help offer advice or develop coping skills and address issues that may be making it difficult to participate in life’s daily activities. Talk therapy, acupuncture, meditation, and massage with essential oils can work alone or in combination to help control the anxiety from which many suffer. Let us begin -- or enhance -- your efforts to fight anxiety and help you be your best, most relaxed self.
Visualization
You visualize often but might not recognize what you're doing. When you run through potential scenarios in your head, you create mental imagery. Much of the time, you don't control what you see; you let your brain play on your concerns. Visualization in a healthy way to manage stress by picturing a beautiful, relaxing place you would love to visit. Once a restful movie is running internally, use your senses to make it feel real. If you're on a beach, for example, imagine smelling the salty air, hearing waves breaking at the shore, and feel the warm sunshine on your skin. Watch seagulls flying and notice them call as the sunlight sparkles on the ocean.
Self-Care
Loving parents carry out actions that make their children feel special. They read them bedtime stories and tuck them in bed. They encourage their kids to shine and calm them when they are sad. Give yourself the same treatment of care and attentiveness to aid in your well-being. Whether you were looked after in such a fashion when you were a child or not, you can take care of yourself this way now. When you achieve a goal, celebrate; make a fuss of yourself. When you're down, practice the art of loving kindness. Be gentle, and self-talk your way to a happier mood. Think what a wise parent would tell their children to quell distress. Apply the tender care you would expect from a mother or best friend to yourself. At the same time, carry out activities that make you feel loved. Take a hot scented bath or get comfy and listen to an inspiring audio book. Perform nourishing, caring actions to remind yourself you are valuable.
Chiropractic Care
During times of stress, tension builds and builds, and eventually those results in pain in various parts of the body. Chiropractic care can help in 2 ways. First, when a chiropractor aligns the spine, that tension is released, the body is relaxed, and the literal physical stress on the body is reduced. Secondly, when the spine is aligned, the central nervous system is unblocked and can function effectively. This means that your mind can think clearly, messages are sent and received with precision, and the mental stress placed on you is reduced as well.
The Role of Genetics in Anxiety
People approach life from a wide range of anxiety levels. Some can take life's challenges in stride, while others see these obstacles as huge stumbling blocks. Anxiety levels are part of our genetic layout and can make us predisposed to being anxious. By having genetic testing done to determine if you have certain markers, you can make adjustments to help reduce your stress. The goal of this type of genetic testing is to fill the genetic gaps and supplement what you cannot make and build with a “multi-vitamin” specific for your genes. For more information on genetic testing and how it works, read " Genetic Testing Analysis".
Alcohol & Anxiety
Drinking too much alcohol and binge eating are among the harmful ways people cope with stress. After overindulging, your anxiety bounces back like a ping-pong ball and your body suffers as well as your mind. Stress narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively, and enjoy life. Using healthy ways to deal with stress will improve your overall well-being. There are several ways to achieve your goal of effectively dealing with stress and anxiety. Let's look at the fastest and best.
Herbs & Creams for Anxiety
Herbs for Anxiety
- CBD Oil
- St John's Wort
- Skullcap
- Motherwort
- Bach Aspen Remedy
- Bach Rock Rose Remedy
- Bach Rescue Remedy
- Rose Essential Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil
Calming Cream
Calming Cream™ was designed by a leading neuroimmune specialist to provide maximum transdermal delivery of GABA, L-Theanine, 5-HTP and Magnesium in a lotion base of lavender oil.