With all that is going on in the world today, it’s no wonder that anxiety and depression are at an all-time high. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a time like we are in right now – it’s nothing short of crazy! We need some pretty major tools to combat the array of emotional turmoil we are experiencing.
Those tools can come in several forms. First, understanding how the body responds to stress helps us to put in the framework for mitigating the stress-induced anxiety and depression. Second, understanding what we may be doing that actually amplifies anxiety and depression is needful. Third, understanding that there are several tools we can use to thwart the negative impact of stress, and how we respond emotionally to it.
Stress is interpreted by the body as a flight or fight response. Anything that isn’t needed to fight or flee from a perceived danger gets shut down. Stress is fight or flight on a lower, but longer level. Several areas of the brain and nervous system, the adrenals, cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, pancreas, vision, hearing, lungs, stomach and even bladder get involved. While this is necessary, some functions like the stomach and immune system shutting down and the adrenals pumping an excess of adrenaline and cortisol aren’t so good. When something stresses you out, often anxiety results. The adrenals partially “control” the emotion of anxiety. The more stress you have, or the more you lack the ability to effectively deal with stress, the higher the level of anxiety. That can deteriorate into overwhelm, loss of hope and eventually depression.
Our lifestyle can greatly affect our emotions. Exercise has long been known as an outlet for stress and anxiety and a way to pull out of depression. But too much can have the opposite effect. As with everything in life, balance is key.
The food we eat is another way we can either defeat our emotional balance or contribute to healthy tranquility in the midst of chaos. Sugar, coffee, energy drinks and alcohol lead the list of the worst things to consume when you are trying to get emotionally under control. These things may give a temporary lift, but the long-term effects are counter-productive in trying to get emotionally healthy.
By contrast, eating a diet that is nutritionally dense (the opposite of what is generally done when anxious, stressed or depressed) feeds the organs, glands and brain that are trying to help you out!
Acupuncture is another option, a very effective one at that, for helping with emotional balance. Getting the digestive system working so you can supply the body with needed nutrients, helping with health challenges that may be adding to your stress, helping the brain and endocrine system do a better job of hormonal and neurological responses, supporting immune system (and every system!) response are all key purposes for including acupuncture into your health tool box.
To learn more, join us for our upcoming health class, Strategies for Overcoming Stress, Anxiety and Depression, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 7:30pm at Vital Health in CDA. Fee: $10. Attend in-person or online via Zoom. To register, call 208-765-1994 or go to vitalhealthcda.com/health-classes/
©2021 Holly A. Carling, O.M.D., L.Ac., Ph.D.
