Natural Ways to Reduce Anxiety

The number of people experiencing anxiety in the US has been on the rise. According to the ADAA, anxiety is the most common mental illness in the US. It affects 40 million people, 18 and older, each year. Additionally, COVID-19 has caused anxiety cases to increase even further. A CDC study that was completed in June 2020 showed that 31% of Americans were struggling with anxiety/depression symptoms. There are many ways to treat anxiety. Some decide to go on medication, while others try to treat their symptoms naturally. Both are great options, and it depends on the personal situation as to which treatment route should be chosen. Always consult with your doctor about your anxiety symptoms. My Hope Health & Wellness is a chiropractor that also specializes in family medicine in West Palm Beach, FL. We can help you and your family with your anxiety needs in a natural way.

If you decide to go the natural route, there are many tools that can be used to reduce anxiety. One benefit of the natural route is that there are no side effects, which can occur with medication. One effective natural anxiety remedy is chiropractic care.

Chiropractic Care and Family Medicine in West Palm Beach, FL

You probably think of a chiropractor as someone who can help you with back pain. Did you know that chiropractic care can also reduce anxiety symptoms? First, spinal adjustments reduce pain and inflammation in the body. This helps people sleep better. Insomnia can be a huge cause of anxiety, so getting better sleep helps many patients start to feel less anxious almost immediately. In addition, spinal adjustments can help lower blood pressure. High blood pressure can leave patients in a constant anxious state. By reducing the blood pressure, anxiety is reduced as well. Also, one study even suggests that spinal manipulation may lead to an increase in certain hormones that reduce pain from stress and increase communications between the dopamine pathways in the body.

Also, chiropractic care can be very relaxing. Your chiropractor may recommend you get a massage as well. At My Hope Health & Wellness, we offer a variety of relaxing massages, including Swedish massages, hot stone massages, and reflexology massages. Our approach to reducing anxiety is well-rounded and addresses the whole body.

Exercise

In addition to chiropractic care, there are things you can do in your everyday life to reduce anxiety. Chiropractors like to treat the whole body and will recommend activities like exercise that can further help reduce anxiety symptoms. According to Mayo Clinic, exercising for 30 minutes or more per day for 3-5 days a week may significantly improve depression or anxiety symptoms. There is a scientific reason behind this recommendation. Exercise releases endorphins that make you feel good. Sometimes it can be difficult to exercise when you are in the middle of a struggle with anxiety. Start out slowly and focus on gentle exercises, like walking or yoga. Don’t feel like you have to run 10 miles or jump into a spin class!

Healthy Diet

A healthy nutritious diet can also help reduce anxiety symptoms. Next time you feel like reaching for some chips or a bowl of ice cream, grab an apple instead. Unhealthy foods can cause inflammation in the body, which can further lead to anxiety symptoms. Medical News Today provides a fantastic guide about how to eat healthier foods. Include fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy in your daily diet. Also, speak with your chiropractor about how to implement healthy foods into your meals throughout the day. Additionally, in your free time, research some healthy recipes on websites like Pinterest. Eating well doesn’t mean you have to miss out on delicious foods! There are so many flavorful, healthy dishes that you can make for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Plenty of Sleep

Sleep issues can cause anxiety to get worse. Aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep per night. If you are having trouble with insomnia, talk with your doctor and chiropractor. First, it is always important to rule out any medical issues that may be affecting your sleep. Often spinal adjustments can help with insomnia. Additionally, other things mentioned in this blog, like exercise, a healthy diet, and meditation, all can help you sleep better at night.

Meditation

Meditation is a good way to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety in the body. Aim to meditate two times a day for 20 minutes each. Find a quiet place to sit, focus on your breathing, and turn inward. For beginners, Light Watkins has a very informative how-to meditation book called Bliss More. He gives beginners a step-by-step guide about how to implement a meditation practice in your daily life. Meditation is fantastic for reducing anxiety and is recommended by many psychologists and therapists.

Anxiety is a struggle that many American face each day. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened anxiety levels in people who are already struggling and has caused anxiety in people who normally feel calm and relaxed. During this stressful time, there are many things you can do to reduce your anxiety naturally. The first is finding a chiropractor who also provides family medicine in West Palm Beach, FL. My Hope Health & Wellness is your one-stop shop for chiropractic care, family medicine, massage therapy, physical therapy, and more! Spinal adjustments from a chiropractor can significantly help anxiety by reducing pain and inflammation and lowering blood pressure. Other ways to reduce anxiety include exercising, eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of sleep, and meditating.

Chiropractor and Family Medicine in West Palm Beach, FL Can Help!

At My Hope Health and Wellness, we take a full-body approach when treating issues like anxiety. We know that anxiety can affect many different areas of the body and we work to treat these symptoms through spinal adjustments, massages, and suggestions of things you can do in your daily life. For more information about the services we provide and how we can help you to reduce your anxiety, contact My Hope Health & Wellness today.