Anxiety is your body’s natural response to stress. It’s a feeling of fear or apprehension about what is to come. Anxiety may present differently in each individual. Feelings can range from butterflies in your stomach to a racing heart. Others may experience difficulty sleeping, panic attacks, emotional thoughts, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, general feeling of fear or worry. If your feelings of anxiety are extreme and interfering with your life, you may have an anxiety disorder.
In traditional Chinese Medicine, energy or qi flows up and down channels in the body and uses a whole system approach to health. If the energy is blocked, deficient, excessive or unbalanced, this can lead to illness.
Acupuncture eases anxiety by regulating the nervous system. When you are anxious, your sympathetic nervous system takes over (fight/flight/freeze) and your parasympathetic is subdued (rest and digest).
Acupuncture helps shift the body back into homeostasis and encourages healing. Acupuncture has been shown to increase the release of endorphins (the feel good chemical) which plays an important role in regulating physical and emotional stress responses.
It is important to discuss with your doctor if you are suffering from anxiety. Your doctor can help you explore the right options for you. For some people, acupuncture, lifestyle changes, and counseling may be enough to cope with symptoms.
Here are 5 lifestyle tips to help eliminate anxiety
1. Get enough sleep
2. Stay active and exercise
3. Eat a healthy diet
4. Meditate
5. Avoid alcohol and caffeine
Book an appointment with Jenny to see how acupuncture may help you.
