Six Natural Ways To Alleviate Stress and Anxiety

For those who suffer with anxiety, it’s a battle to get the mind and body back under control. The racing thoughts, the palpitations, the queasy stomach: this nervous system rollercoaster can wreak havoc on every aspect of life.

While medication can be beneficial, many patients prefer a more natural alternative to regulate their nervous systems and bring them back to a place of control over their lives. Here are six options to consider when dealing with anxiety:

-Functional Medicine. Riley Smith is a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and a functional medicine practitioner. “For the functional medicine part I run labs on stool testing, organic acids, and hormones. Organic acid testing shows us key inflammatory markers occurring in the body. When these are high or low the end result is often neurotransmitter irregularities that can lead to symptoms of anxiety and increased stress.”

Smith claims to see significant improvement in patients’ anxiety levels within 8 weeks. “Usually about halfway through this program patients report huge improvements on how their bodies actually feel…as the program proceeds, anxiety, panic attacks, nervousness, worry, and even depression are greatly improved.”

-EFT. EFT is a method of tapping on specified points in the body to alleviate physical pain and emotional distress. “It allows the client to self regulate in the moment of anxiety, or it can be used proactively before stressful situations,” says Lori Lamont, Certified Advanced EFT Practitioner.

Lamont says that it isn’t just a temporary solution for anxiety. “Long term results are amazing. Patients are able to function in their day to day lives without anxiety; about to drive, go to school, go to sleep, navigate social situations, and transition to college and jobs easily.”

-Breathwork. Breathwork is the practice of manipulating the rate and depth of your breath. Most breathwork practices start with a minimum of 20 minutes of rhythmic breathing. During a session of this type of altered and purposeful breathing, the vagus nerve is activated. This turns on the parasympathetic nervous system, shifting you out of fight-or-flight mode. When fight-or-flight mode is disengaged, the entire system relaxes and the typical anxiety symptoms (racing heart, sweating, nausea) will abate.

-Havening. Havening involves having the client imagine a scenario that triggers the anxiety response. Once the client is triggered, the practitioner gently touches the arms, palms, and area around the eyes of the client. The mind cannot hold two thoughts simultaneously, so this technique distracts the mind into releasing the negative thought, and prevents it from reactivating the amygdala (the area of the brain that is responsible for emotional memories.)

-Hypnosis. Hypnosis involves placing the client into a deeply relaxed state which creates a space for the subconscious mind to become accessible to suggestions. Once in that state, a script is given to replace old, negative habits with new, positive ones. There have been numerous studies that point to hypnosis having a significant improvement in anxiety. In fact, in the article “The Efficacy of Hypnosis as a Treatment for Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis,” it was indicated that the average participant receiving hypnosis reduced anxiety in more than 79% of control participants.

-Acupuncture. Studies show that acupuncture has a profound effect on regulating the nervous system. Acupuncture stimulates a release of endorphins; these are the "happy chemicals" which promote a sense of peace, well-being, and happiness. Additionally, acupuncture has been shown to improve Heart Rate Variability, which is associated with lower levels of stress and anxiety. Acupuncture also balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, taking the body out of the fight or flight response.

This pandemic has been difficult for everyone, but particularly for those who are predisposed to anxiety. If you are having difficulty coping, don't lose hope. There are many options out there to assist you on your journey. If you need more assistance finding a tool that works for you, please reach out and I will provide you with further resources to get you back on track. No one needs to suffer alone.