3 Simple Ways to Relieve Anxiety

If you experience anxiety, you are not alone.  About 18% of the United States population reports suffering from some form of anxiety disorder. 

General symptoms of anxiety include:

Feelings of panic, fear and uneasiness accompanied by any or all of the following:
– Problems sleeping
– Cold or sweaty hands and/or feet
– Shortness of breath
– Heart palpitations
– An inability to be still and calm
– Dry mouth
– Numbness or tingling of the hands
– Nausea
– Muscle tension
– Dizziness

3 Simple Ways to Relieve Anxiety:

1. Remove Caffeine From Your Diet

If you are prone to anxiety, caffeine is not your friend.  Caffeine can cause heart palpitations, jitteriness, and in some people can trigger anxiety or panic attacks.  Caffeine is found in many things including coffee, teas, soda pop, chocolate, and even within some medications.  Research has shown that caffeine can exacerbate the symptoms of anxiety, and that “patients with panic disorder and performance social anxiety disorder seem to be particularly sensitive to the anxiogenic (anxiety) effects of caffeine”  If you experience a high amount of anxiety in your daily life, cutting out caffeine might be a great place to start finding relief.

2. Meditate

Anxiety is often a manifestation of fixating on the past or the future.  Meditation is daily a practice that encourages one to focus on the present moment.  The primary goal of meditation is not to reduce anxiety, but to focus on the “here and now” and to help to quiet an overactive brain.

The most basic meditation practice is to focus on your breathing.  Pay attention to the sensations of breathing – inhaling deeply through your nose, exhaling through your mouth.  As thoughts come up, do not judge them.  Just let them pass by, and keep returning your focus to your breathing.

Research is showing that meditating for 15 to 30 minutes per day actually can change the physical structure of your brain!  For more information on that, read this article.

3. Get Regular Acupuncture Treatments

Here is where the skilled acupuncturists at Point of Origin Acupuncture can help you!  The number one thing we hear our patients say after an acupuncture treatment is “I feel so relaxed.”  Acupuncture has been shown to increase mental states of rest and relaxation, and decrease anxiety and stress.

One study reported:
“Our results indicate that needle acupuncture leads to a significant clinical improvement as well as to a remarkable reduction in anxiety symptoms in patients with minor depression or with generalized anxiety disorders.”

Another clinical trial concluded:
“Acupuncture is a promising intervention for patients with chronic anxiety symptoms that have proven resistant to other forms of treatment.”

If you suffer from anxiety, don’t lose hope!  Schedule an appointment at Point of Origin Acupuncture today, and experience the relief you’ve been searching for.

Resources:
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-anxiety-disorders
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/use-your-mind-change-your-brain/201305/is-your-brain-meditation
http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/10758845
http://aim.bmj.com/content/33/2/98.short