Calming the Storm: How Integrative Practices Can Help with Anxiety

Under the vast canopy of a starry night, a person finds serenity through meditation, one way to help with anxiety.

If anxiety is one of your complaints, you are certainly not alone.  In the US, 19.1% of adults reported anxiety in the previous year, being prevalent more in females (23.4%) vs males (14.3%)[1]. From a persistent feeling of worry to panic attacks, its impact can significantly disrupt daily life in several ways including decreased focus, increased irritability, disrupted sleep, or ongoing fatigue. While traditional approaches like therapy and medication are mainstay recommendations, many are finding additional relief and long-term well-being through additional integrative medicine practices.

Integrative medicine takes a more holistic approach, combining conventional treatments with complementary therapies that address more aspects than medication alone would. When it comes to anxiety, this means exploring a range of options that can work together to promote calm and resilience.

Here are some key benefits of incorporating integrative medicine into your anxiety management plan:

• Addressing Root Causes: Instead of just managing symptoms, integrative practitioners often look for underlying factors contributing to anxiety, such as nutritional deficiencies, gut imbalances, or chronic inflammation. Addressing these can lead to more sustainable relief.

• Mind-Body Connection: Practices like yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and breathing exercises are central to integrative approaches. These techniques help regulate the nervous system, reduce stress hormones, and foster a sense of presence and peace.

• Nutritional Support: What we eat profoundly impacts our mood and brain function. An integrative approach might involve dietary changes, identifying trigger foods, and incorporating supplements like magnesium, omega-3s, or certain B vitamins known to support nervous system health.

• Herbal Remedies: Certain herbs, under professional guidance, can offer gentle support for anxiety. Examples include chamomile, passionflower, and ashwagandha, which have calming or adaptogenic properties.

• Personalized Care: Integrative medicine is highly individualized. Tailored plans that consider your unique circumstances, preferences, and health goals are important.

• Empowerment: By offering a wider array of tools and strategies, integrative medicine empowers individuals to take a more active role in their healing journey, fostering a sense of control and self-efficacy in managing anxiety.

If you're struggling with anxiety, exploring integrative medicine can open up new avenues for relief and help you build a stronger foundation for mental and emotional well-being. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new treatment or making significant changes to your current plan.

1.       [1] Harvard Medical School, 2007. National Comorbidity Survey (NCS). (2017, August 21). Retrieved from https://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/index.php . Data Table 2: 12-month prevalence DSM-IV/WMH-CIDI disorders by sex and cohort.