Blog
17/12/2009
Treating Anxiety with complementary therapies
Anxiety is unpleasant feeling, typically associated with uneasiness, fear, or worry. We feel threatened by something that we can’t control or avoid. When my sister, Heather was diagnosed with cancer I started to hear my heartbeat pounding; something I’d never experienced before. Other symptoms can be shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, vomiting and feelings of despair and danger.
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress as it sharpens us up to deal with difficult situations. However, it can become excessive and start ruling our lives and then we may need professional help. Approximately 10% of us will suffer from anxiety attacks at some point our lives. So if I’m describing you here, don’t struggle on alone. There’s a lot we can do a lot to help!
Endorphins are a nature’s way of helping with anxiety. Physical touch, laughter, sexual activity and exercise all cause the body to release a flood of endorphins which lift our mood, helping us restore calm and get a better perspective during episodes of stress and anxiety. So all ways to help our endorphin levels consistently will help.
Massage releases endorphins and is a wonderful way of helping each other. Children are good at this too and are often happy to help. I teach families to tell stories using massage on each other's backs. Ten year old Jonathan learnt massage at school and his mum, Liz, tells me he will give her a lovely head and shoulder massage when she's feeling stressed. Do ask me if you'd like to learn more about massage as I run workshops for all ages.
I find my anxious clients love and respond really well to a gentle treatment of massage or reflexology. The touch brings comfort and feelings of peace with a soothing effect on the body. The breathing slows, heart rate lowers and disrupted digestion usually improves too. These effects can last a few days and regular treatments support us in difficult times. Anxious clients often need an opportunity to talk or cry too, offloading their worries in a safe place with someone who will listen quietly and be a confidential sounding board. Sometimes we can only talk to our friends and loved ones so much and a professional ear is welcome.
Aromatherapy can also be helpful for calming and comforting. My clients love neroli, rose, frankincense, and lavender. I give them the oil to smell during a treatment to associate the relaxation with that aroma. They then take a little of this oil home and use the aroma to sniff during stressful times at work on in traffic jams in the car! A little on the pillow helps with restful sleep too.
Flower Essences are also very helpful. Rescue Remedy or Emergency Essence is wonderful first aid to help calm nerves. I found Emergency Essence settled my nerves in minutes, held me together and I could take it as many times a day as I needed to.
Talking therapies may be prescribed your doctor. One lady is currently having Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help overcome anxiety about driving. Others have hypnotherapy or counselling to help overcome disruptive worries.
Homeopathy can be very helpful, always best prescribed by a homeopath. If you can’t consult a homeopath, you could try Aconite if your anxiety is the result of a sudden fright or shock. If you are grief stricken a homeopath may give you Ignatia. For stage fright or anxiety about performing, Gelsemium is recommended.
Laugh yourself better. I found a time with friends or watching a funny film, having a really good giggle seemed to help shake the anxiety out of my body, leaving me rejuvenated and refreshed.
Anxiety can be a very serious condition so don’t suffer in silence. Do seek medical help if it’s ruling your life.
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