Stress-Induced Anxiety and Depression

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.

Dr. Holly Carling

Dr. Holly Carling

Dr. Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with nearly four decades of experience. Dr. Carling is a “Health Detective,” she looks beyond your symptom picture and investigates WHY you are experiencing your symptoms in the first place. Dr. Carling considers herself a “professional student” – she has attended more than 600 post-secondary education courses related to health and healing. Dr. Carling gives lectures here in the U.S. and internationally and has been noted as the “Doctor’s Doctor”. When other healthcare practitioners hit a roadblock when treating their patients nutritionally, Dr. Carling is who they call. Dr. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d’ Alene clinic.

Medical/Health Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article or podcast should not be construed as personal medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken based solely on the contents of this article or podcast. Readers/listeners should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information and opinions provided here are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the author, but readers/listeners who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries.

Recent Articles & Podcasts

Let's Solve This Puzzle Together!

At Vital Health we help people find clarity regarding the root causes of their health challenges and provide step-by-step guidance on what to do, and when to do it, in order to restore health naturally.