Those who struggle with anxiety won’t be surprised to hear that the present moment is driving a spike in anxiety nationwide.
Covid-19 cases continue to soar (though thankfully appear to be declining), global instability is reaching a fever pitch, climate change is an ever-growing concern, inflation is higher than it’s been in decades, and the list goes on. This cocktail of worrying events has led multitudes to seek anxiety treatments and while some work, others are nothing but hype. Below we seek to clarify which natural remedies have scientific backing and which do not.
5 Effective Natural Anxiety Treatments
1. Yoga
Yoga is an ancient spiritual practice rooted in connecting mind and body. While not developed as a treatment for anxiety, the act of bringing the mind into synchronicity with the body has proven mental health benefits. Yoga comes in many forms and so it may take some trial and error to determine the style best suited to your needs but in general, those that are more physically challenging (Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Power Yoga, etc.) bring greater anti-anxiety benefits.
2. Therapy
Therapy for anxiety is a well-established and effective treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy are the leading approaches. The former addresses negative patterns and distortions related to self-image; the latter leans into anxiety triggers as a means of engendering a greater sense of control. Therapy for anxiety, like all items on this list, can be combined with other treatments strategies, often to great effect.
3. Intentional Breathing
Multiple studies demonstrate that breath control is an effective way to reduce and rein in anxiety attacks. Many people make breathing exercises a part of their daily routine as a preventative strategy against anxiety.
4. Regular Exercise
Exercise is not for everyone and yet there is indisputable evidence that it helps with anxiety. Vigorously moving your body triggers dopamine release in the brain which fuels happiness and provides greater resiliency against mental health triggers. You need not register in a punishing HIIT (high-intensity interval training) class to gain these benefits, either. Rather, you simply need to commit to a routine of doing just about anything that gets your heart rate up.
5. Acupuncture
Acupuncture for anxiety is another proven treatment option. Like exercise, acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural feel-good hormones and reduces levels of stress hormones like cortisol.
Despite the many promising natural anxiety treatments out there, not everyone will find success addressing mental health struggles on their own. Sometimes, try as you might, nothing provides sufficient relief. Luckily, innovation in the field of mental health treatment is rapidly advancing. Ketamine infusion therapy, for instance, is a promising (not so) new intervention that offers many who suffer from anxiety fast and lasting relief.
If you are a person who suffers from anxiety and struggles to find solutions despite having tried wide-ranging treatments, ketamine infusion therapy may be the life-saving intervention you seek.
To learn more do not hesitate to contact us at Vitalitas Denver—a mental health treatment clinic with an experienced full suite of dedicated medical staff ready to talk to you today.
Contact Vitalitas Denver Ketamine Infusion Center