I recently attended the wedding of a high school friend and I found myself being asked why people come in for acupuncture and I was actually quite surprised by my response. See, when I started my practice, 90% of my patients came in for pain related disorders. But now, almost 20 years later, I would say 60-70% of my patients come in for 1 symptom...anxiety.  

So many of us are stressed to the max and our nervous systems are simply overwhelmed. Acupuncture initially gained fame for it’s ability to treat pain effectively, but more and more research shows undeniable results with anxiety.

As my patients know, treating anxiety is possible through the powerful healing partnership that is developed. Half of the work required to remedy anxiety is done in the treatment room. The other 50%, and perhaps the most important for long term results, comes from little choices we make every day. 

Below are 5 examples of small changes we can all make to help when we feel overwhelmed, have a tight or heavy chest, and/or have obsessive thought patterns. 

1. Remember anxiety is a symptom of something else. Your heart beating rapidly and your head starting to swim is an alarm signal. Our body/mind is getting us to pay attention to something. Your body is wise, and your symptoms are teachers. What do you think they are trying to teach you?

2. Breathe Deep. Even if you don't feel like it, and perhaps especially when you don’t feel like it. If you can’t do a few minutes, just take 1 deep breath. It will change your body’s chemistry to help bring balance to the nervous and endocrine systems. 

3. Cut out refined sugar. This drug has become so accepted in society it’s hard to see it for what it is.  Try cutting out sugar and see for yourself the DRAMATIC effects on your symptoms.

4. Drink More Water. To stay properly hydrated, you should drink 1/2 your bodyweight in ounces of water each day. You will be amazed at what not being dehydrated does to you! 

5. Get Good Sleep. Our bodies are very responsive to the basics: Sleep in a pitch black room, turn off your screens an hour or 2 before bed. Go to bed when you FIRST get tired (even if its 7:30 pm)! And know that it’s natural to sleep more in the winter and less in the summer.

If you don’t live under the thumb of anxiety but feel your quality of life could be better, try implementing these recommendations just for this week. See what changes...maybe nothing....maybe EVERYTHING! 

Love,
Lance