3 Holistic Approaches To Anxiety

Anxiety can impact every aspect of your life. At its worst, it can leave you unable to perform everyday tasks. Medical intervention is usually needed. Some people are also relying on more holistic measures to help ease symptoms. If you are considering a holistic approach, here are some possible treatments. 

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a holistic approach to treating anxiety that relies on herbs and changes to your lifestyle to get relief from symptoms. The treatments center on balancing your energy. In Ayurvedic beliefs, when your vata is imbalanced, you can experience anxiety. 

The vata is the energy that is responsible for controlling your body's circulation, breathing, and heart rate. When it is imbalanced, all of these can rapidly increase and cause you to experience anxiety. 

An Ayurvedic practitioner will assess your condition and make treatment recommendations that could include the use of herbs to draw toxins from the body that could be affecting your blood circulation. You might also be encouraged to meditate or try yoga. 

Acupuncture

As with Ayurveda, acupuncture focuses on your body's energy. In acupuncture, it is believed that your energy force is responsible for regulating your body's health. When the energy force is disrupted, anxiety can occur. 

Acupuncturists believe that by inserting needles at certain points, the energy force can be restored and the symptoms of anxiety will be alleviated. You might be hesitant to try it, but the Anxiety and Depression Association of America states there is evidence that the practice is effective in treating anxiety. 

Aromatherapy

When your anxiety levels are high and you are on the verge of experiencing a panic attack, you need to act quickly to avoid it. One quick-acting method you can use is aromatherapy. Certain scents can have a calming effect that immediately helps to lower your blood pressure, which rises when you are anxious. 

If opting for aromatherapy, there are certain scents to look for. Lavender is one of the most commonly used. It can help ease irritability and restlessness caused by anxiety. Other scents to consider include rose, chamomile, and bergamot. 

If possible, look for pure essential oils of the scents you choose. Diluted scents are not as effective. 

Before starting any holistic approach to anxiety, talk to your doctor first. It is especially important if you are taking any prescription medicine. Some herbs can sometimes interfere or adversely interact with those medications. Provide updates on your condition to your doctor so that he or she can help you evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments you have tried.