Treating Anxiety & Depression Naturally & Holistically

Anxiety and depression have become an increasing problem for people today. Approximately 38 million Americans suffer with chronic anxiety or depression. One out of eight adults are currently taking antidepressant medications. Hectic lifestyles, busy schedules and stress lurking around every corner place the nervous system in a state of perpetual overdrive which first causes the body to experience anxiety and then leads to eventual exhaustion, weakening and deterioration causing depression. Most people experience both anxiety and depression as they are two sides of the same coin.

In no other system of the body is the interconnection between the physical and psychological more real then the nervous system. All our psychological processes are rooted in the nervous system. Therefore, if there is an imbalance on the psychological level it will be reflected on the physical level and vice versa. Western medicine tends to view and reduce psychological imbalances such as anxiety and depression to a problem exclusively with biochemical reactions within the body and assumes then that the appropriate treatment approach is drugs which get rid of the symptoms sufficiently enough for life to continue on "normally." A holistic approach takes a little bit of a different view. The holistic approach to healing anxiety and depression recognizes the inter connectedness of physical and psychological factors and looks to treating the whole body and person rather then just the symptoms and biochemical reactions. To be truly healthy you must treat the physical health through the right diet and exercise but also attend to the emotional, mental and spiritual health. If you merely get rid of the symptoms without addressing the underlying cause of the symptoms in the first place, they have a tenancy to begin expressing themselves through other means. For instance if you get rid of just the symptoms of anxiety, without treating its cause, anxiety may begin expressing itself through explainable aches and pains in the body, sleeping disturbances or weight gain. Depression only treated through drugs may begin expressing itself through chronic fatigue or weight gain.

A holistic approach to anxiety and depression includes:

Nutrition

There are many things in a normal Western diet that contribute to deterioration of the nervous system and brain, one of which is toxic chemicals found in processed, and inorganic foods. These are especially toxic to brain tissue and the nervous system as a whole. As uncleansed toxins build up in the body they interfere with the proper functioning of neurotransmitters  slow energy production at the cellular level and lead to a general slow down and dysfunction of the brain. Identifying possible food allergens is also an important appraoch in treating any nervous system disorders because an allergic reaction in the body causes inflammation. Inflammation in the nervous system and brain interferes with normal functioning and can cause unhealthy cellular changes. Whole, organic foods provide the body with the specific chemicals it needs to create and build health nuerotransmitters and increase energy production. It is important to team up with a nutritionist when treating anxiety and depression to create a diet that supports the healing of the nervous system and eliminates all the things that are contributing to its dysfunction. 

Supplements & Herbs

There are many supplements, including specific amino acids, that help with the building of healthy and plentiful neurotransmitters in the brain. Amino acids are what the brain uses to create neurotransmitters. By supplying the body with the proper amount of certain amino acids you effectively create healthier neurotransmitter functioning. Herbs can benefit the nervous system in a number of ways beyond their simplistic effects of relaxing and stimulating the nervous system. Giving the body the nutrients it needs to balance and heal is important to reaching total health. Specific nutrient deficiencies should be identified and then restored in a holistic approach to treating both anxiety and depression. 

Stress Reduction & Body Balancing

The uses of both deep breathing and yoga can be highly beneficial to restoring balance and healing the body of nervous system disorders. Yoga not only helps to calm your body and mind but on a deeper level helps to harmonize body processes and calm the nervous system. A teacher that leads you into a deeply relaxed and integrated state between your body and mind is vital. Deep breathing helps to clear excess toxins from the body, oxygenate the nervous system and calm the body and mind. As little as 5 minutes a day can be of great benefit. You can contact us directly for a easy, 5-minute deep breathing exercise. 

Exercise

Exercise has been shown to be just as effective as prescription drugs in treating depression and comes with none of the side effects of toxic ingredients  Exercise helps to naturally stimulate neurotransmitter function while increasing the amount of oxygen in the body. Both of these together work to life the symptoms of both anxiety and depression. Walking is one of the most beneficial forms of exercise and is easy to do! Start with as little as 15 minutes a day and increase gradually week by week. 

These are just some general guidelines in the holistic approach to treating anxiety and depression. Both of these illnesses are a very personal and unique to the individual. Through one-on-one consultation and treatment planning you can naturally heal your body and restore balance. We offer a free 30-minute Holistic Health exam for all new patients so there is no risk. Schedule your appointment today and start feeling better tomorrow!

Candice Marley is a Holistic Health Practitioner, Holistic Nutritionist, Herbalist & Wellness coach and owner of Align Holistic Health & Well Being who helps people all over the world create vibrant health, greater energy, radiant beauty and a lifetime of health without disease or pain through natural ways of eating and balanced, holistic lifestyle practices. She uses a combination of natural ways of eating, balanced lifestyle practices, medicinal herbs, holistic living strategies and wellness coaching which excels at creating vibrant, lasting health in people just like you! In fact, most people report feeling higher levels of energy and greater health within a week of their first appointment. You can download her free e-book The 5 Top Tips for Creating Vibrant Health atwww.alignholistichealth.com