“For me, it was a personal secret that I kept hidden from others. For one, I didn’t know if it was just the typical everyday ‘stress’ people talk about or two, if I realized it wasn’t ‘normal’, no one would understand.
Anxiety for me is a constant feeling of living on edge and in worry. There always seemed to be something to think about, worry about, or obsess about. And when I did find time to ‘relax’ – I didn’t even know what to do! I couldn’t sit still long enough to read a book, I couldn’t concentrate fully on the conversation I was having with a friend, and ultimately, I couldn’t live with true happiness in the moment. My life was one great big ball of anxiety. But, didn’t everyone live like that…at least a little?
When I finally realized one day (while crying alone on my back steps), that maybe it’s not as ‘normal’ as I had hoped, that this wasn’t how I wanted to live, I decided to take steps in squelching my anxiety and getting my life back. It wasn’t easy – it still takes me courage, patience, and love for myself to overcome the anxiety that I live with. But, it’s made a world of difference to take the steps to face it.”
_____________________________________
Does this sound familiar? Have you ever had any of the same feelings or fears? Do you wonder if there is any chance life could get a little calmer and happier for you?
Anxiety is different for everyone, but this open experience from one of our own clients at Colorado Natural Medicine + Acupuncture shows how many of us live with chronic anxiety and many, think it’s perfectly normal. Until…it’s not.
Dr. Adam Graves believes, “The problem in American is that we are a chronic stress society. We are fast paced, stimulated, and constantly on the move.”
What many don’t realize, is that chronic stress can be detrimental to our health. The American Institute of Stress estimates approximately 75-90% of all general physician visits are due to stress. That’s unbelievable!
Stress and anxiety can be acute or chronic. Here are the differences:
Stress – typically acute, involving a strong emotional and/or physical response to trauma, but can also be chronic if it is not treated
Anxiety – mostly chronic, an underlying inability to relax with ruminating thoughts with a recurrent theme
If not treated and the parasympathetic nervous system is not restored, chronic stress and anxiety can lead to diseases such as heart disease, cancer, sleep issues, digestive issues, and more.
The body may start by giving off small signs that the anxiety is taking a toll. For example, digestion or sleep issues that aren’t necessarily normal for someone. If these symptoms are ignored, they could then turn into blood sugar issues, leading to more serious disease.
It’s important to take note of these small symptoms and treat them accordingly to restore your body’s balance.
So what to do if you feel your life is anxiety ridden?
Easy! There’s a simple 2 pronged approach that can help get you back to your normal self!
The road to healing in these approaches may vary, depending on the how intense the anxiety is.
The first prong may include such treatment as:
– pharmaceutical drugs
– naturopathic herbs and supplements such as B6, Theanine, 5HTP, and GABA
– acupuncture to encourage good energy flow and possibly change the neuropathways in the brain
– plans to cope with immediate stressors
The second prong can include such treatments as:
– long term naturopathic herbs and supplements to restore and support the body’s functionality with adaptogens such as rhodiola, ashwanganda, and holy basil that may allow for slow transition from pharmaceutical drugs
– acupuncture to keep calming the central nervous system and encourage healing of it
– holistic counseling to find the root cause of the anxiety, process grief, trauma, relationship issues, parental stressors, work pressures, etc.
– self-care plans focused on a calmer, more relaxed and nutritious lifestyle
With determination and patience, this approach can help bring your life back to what you desire.
Calmer days spent with the kids enjoying a picnic outdoors with nothing to think about but the sun on your face and the kids laughing?
Feelings of things being okay even if you aren’t in control all of the time?
Being present and in the moment with your significant other or just simply enjoying the beauty of the world around you as you drive?
YES! You can get your life back!
If you are living with anxiety and live in Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Centennial, Parker, Monument, Highlands Ranch, or Larkspur, please call us for a free 15 minute consultation to see how we can help you get your life back to normal.
Let’s start your journey to calm now.
Contact Dr. Graves today for a free 15 minute consultation. By phone 303.688.6698 or click HERE to scheule online.
Leave a Reply