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Anxiety can be a very challenging condition to live with. Many individuals are starting to explore holistic ways to treat anxiety. These holistic ways to treat anxiety focus on the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
However, when people regularly feel disproportionate anxiety levels, it might be a medical disorder. Anxiety disorders form a category of mental health diagnoses.
Also, if someone feels anxiety and it starts to negatively impact their daily life in various ways, this can also be classified as a mental health disorder.1
There are several types of anxiety disorders. Many of them can be treated with holistic ways to treat anxiety. These include the following:2
This is characterized by chronic anxiety, exaggerated worry, and tension. This may occur even when there is little or nothing to provoke it.
People with GAD are often overly anxious with everyday matters. This includes matters such as health issues, money, family problems, or difficulties at work.
People with this condition often have feelings of terror. This terror strikes suddenly and repeatedly without warning.
Other symptoms of panic disorder and panic attacks include:
Also, many individuals often feel like they can’t breathe during a panic attack or during extreme symptoms of panic disorder.
A phobia is an excessive and persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that is generally not harmful. People with phobias will often go to great lengths to avoid the object or situation they fear, to the point where it restricts their lives.
It’s important to note that anxiety is a broad term that covers a multitude of different experiences and disorders.
Other disorders in this category can include:
Anxiety disorders can interfere with daily activities. They can also be difficult to control and be out of proportion to the actual danger.
If you think you or your loved one may have an anxiety disorder, it’s crucial to seek professional help and support.
Anxiety is a complex mental health disorder with numerous potential causes. It’s often due to a mix of physical, mental, genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
While everyone experiences anxiety differently, common contributing factors include:
People with certain genes may be more prone to developing anxiety. This predisposition can be inherited through generations.
This means that if a family member also has anxiety, you are also more likely to develop the disorder as well.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that transmit signals across nerve cells. If these are out of balance, messages may not be transmitted properly, leading to anxiety symptoms. Neurotransmitters associated with anxiety include serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
Certain personality traits can make individuals more susceptible to anxiety. People with certain personality types, such as perfectionists or those with low self-esteem, may be more prone to anxiety disorders.
Traumatic or stressful events can cause anxiety disorders. Examples include divorce, changing jobs or schools, or other major life changes.
Certain physical health conditions can lead to anxiety symptoms. Examples include:
Moreover, anxiety can co-occur with other mental health disorders like depression.
Certain drugs can cause or exacerbate anxiety symptoms. This includes both illicit substances and prescription or over-the-counter medications. Alcohol and caffeine can also cause anxiety symptoms.
Experiences during childhood and adolescence can impact the likelihood of developing anxiety. This includes experiences of neglect, abuse, poverty, or witnessing traumatic events.
This could include stress at work, school, or personal relationships. Chronic exposure to stressful environments can increase the risk of anxiety.
Patterns of thinking can contribute to anxiety. Examples include constant worry or catastrophizing.
Cognitive distortions can also be a factor. This is when people consistently interpret situations more negatively than is accurate.
Social isolation or lack of a supportive social network can contribute to the development or exacerbation of anxiety.
It’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive, and everyone’s experience with anxiety is unique. Many people will have a combination of these factors.
Also, the presence of one doesn’t necessarily mean an individual will develop an anxiety disorder. The understanding of mental health and its causes is always evolving with new research and insights.
Anxiety can present a wide range of symptoms. These can vary significantly from person to person. Some symptoms may be able to be treated with holistic ways to treat anxiety. The symptoms of anxiety can be categorized into physical and psychological symptoms.
Holistic ways to treat anxiety encompass a variety of methods. These methods consider the whole person in the quest for optimal health and wellness.
By focusing on the person as a whole rather than focusing solely on the symptoms of anxiety, the goal of holistic treatment is to bring balance to the patient’s life.
Here are some holistic ways to treat anxiety:4
Engaging in regular physical activity is one of the holistic ways to treat anxiety. Exercise can improve mood, act as a natural anti-anxiety remedy, and improve a person’s sense of well-being.
What you consume can significantly affect your mood and energy levels. A balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats can act as a holistic way to treat anxiety.
These practices can help people focus on the present moment. Thus reducing worries about the future or regrets about the past. Regularly practicing meditation or mindfulness can be a holistic way to treat anxiety.
Yoga combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. Regular practice has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, making yoga another holistic way to treat anxiety.
Certain essential oils, like lavender and chamomile, are known for their calming effects. Aromatherapy can be a relaxing, holistic way to treat anxiety.
Some herbal supplements, such as passionflower, kava kava, and valerian root, are often used in holistic ways to treat anxiety.
It’s crucial to important with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen. This is because they can interact with other medications.
This traditional Chinese medicine technique involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. Acupuncture can be an effective holistic way to treat anxiety.
This technique teaches individuals to control their body’s functions, like heart rate. With practice, biofeedback can help adjust the body’s response to stress and anxiety, another holistic way to treat anxiety.
Massage can help reduce muscle tension and promote relaxation, thus making it a beneficial holistic way to treat anxiety.
Engaging in creative outlets can help people express themselves and reduce feelings of anxiety. These types of therapy are other holistic ways to treat anxiety.
Establishing good sleep habits is another of the holistic ways to treat anxiety. This is because lack of sleep or poor-quality sleep can exacerbate anxiety symptoms, especially over time.
Building and maintaining strong, positive relationships and seeking support when needed can be holistic ways to treat anxiety.
These holistic ways to treat anxiety can and often do complement traditional therapy. This combination is sometimes referred to as integrative therapy. It aims to utilize the benefits of both traditional and holistic approaches for a comprehensive treatment plan.
For example, exercise can boost the mood and act as a natural anti-anxiety remedy. This works to enhance the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is a common type of psychotherapy.
CBT helps people learn to identify and change thought patterns that lead to harmful behaviors or feelings of anxiety.
Also, maintaining a balanced diet can improve overall physical health. It can also potentially reduce the side effects of some anti-anxiety medications.
Also, meditation and mindfulness practices can help a person stay focused on the present. This helps reduce worry and enhance the effectiveness of CBT.
Yoga, along with therapy, can help improve the body’s response to stress and reduce anxiety symptoms.
Some other ways that these therapies can interact include:
Depending on your specific needs, symptoms, and if you have any co-occurring disorders, your doctor may recommend some forms of holistic or evidence-based therapies over others. These are just some of the ways that these types of therapies can interact.
Are you looking to explore holistic ways to treat anxiety? If you are, then you’ll need a treatment center that offers these holistic therapies. This is where Iris Healing comes in.
At Iris Healing, we expertly combine holistic therapies like yoga and meditation with traditional approaches like CBT. This guarantees you’ll always have access to integrative treatment that provides total, whole-body, comprehensive effects.
But that’s not all we offer; we also believe in a patient-first treatment approach, so you can be certain your needs will always be a priority with us. We believe in a holistic way to help treat various substance use or mental health disorders.
This way, you can get the best and most comprehensive care that you need for overall recovery. We will help you devise an individualized treatment plan for your needs.
Contact us today and learn more about our holistic ways of treating anxiety.
Iris Healing® strives to be diligent and prompt in updating the information available on our website. Please note, however, that our treatment modalities and protocols are subject to change at any time. For the most up-to-date details regarding our treatment offerings or other protocols, please contact us: (844)663-4747
At Iris Healing®, we offer a free and confidential verification of benefits with no commitment required. For our in-network insurance partners, Iris Healing® accepts PPO, EPO, and HMO plans. For out-of-network insurance, we accept most PPO policies. We are happy to answer any questions you have related to insurance coverage for mental health and addiction treatment.
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Iris Healing Center
Certification: 190056AP
Expiration Date: 12/31/2025
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License Number: 190943AP
Expiration Date: 1/31/2025
Licensed by the State Department of Health Care Services.
Iris Healing Center
Certification: 190056AP
Expiration Date: 12/31/2025
Iris Healing Retreat
License Number: 190943AP
Expiration Date: 1/31/2025
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