4 Holistic Treatments That Could Help People With Anxiety

If you are struggling with anxiety, you may be looking into holistic treatments. Holistic doctors don't discount modern medicine, but instead of just looking at certain symptoms and prescribing medication, they try to look at the patient as a whole—including mental, emotional, and environmental factors. A holistic provider may look at your diet and check for any food allergies or intolerances that may be exacerbating your anxiety. While every holistic clinic is different, here are four treatments they may offer for anxiety.

1. Counseling

If you don't have anxiety or mental health issues in your family history, a holistic provider might want to consider external causes, such as strained relationships, work stress, academic stress, etc. The holistic clinic might offer counseling services or refer you to a counselor to help. While there are different counseling modalities, treatments like acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are shown to help people deal with general anxiety, depression, and social anxiety.

2. Fitness Regimens

When you are anxious, exercising may be one of the last things you want to do. However, exercise can be a powerful tool and can divert your thoughts from anxiety-inducing triggers. Exercise can decrease muscle tension and increase anti-anxiety neurochemicals, like GABA and serotonin. Holistic clinics can help you put together a fitness regimen that works with your health levels and your schedule. Working with a holistic provider is helpful since you will have a person to hold you accountable and help you develop fitness goals.

3 Herbal Supplements

Before starting herbal supplements, you should talk with your doctor to make sure that you won't experience any side effects or medication interactions. If your doctor gives you the go-ahead, herbal supplements might be a good way to help you manage your anxiety. While more studies need to be conducted, the Mayo Clinic says that supplements like valerian, lemon balm, lavender, and chamomile may be helpful at reducing anxiety.

4. Massage Therapy

A holistic clinic may offer different massage therapies, such as Swedish, Thai, or deep tissue to help you cope with anxiety. Like exercise, massage therapy can increase anti-anxiety hormones like serotonin. Serotonin can help stabilize your mood and increase feelings of happiness. Massage therapy can also reduce the hormone cortisol; cortisol plays a role in the "fight or flight" response, having too much cortisol could contribute to your anxiety. If smells of certain essential oils are relaxing to you, you may want to get a massage that incorporates aromatherapy.

These are just a few treatment ideas that could help your symptoms of anxiety. Reach out to a healthcare clinic for more information on holistic treatments.