Can a Natural Medicine Doctor Treat My Anxiety?
At its worst, anxiety can feel like a debilitating and life-altering condition. Many of us get anxious from time to time, when put into new situations or are worried about the future. When anxiety starts to hinder a person’s daily life and relationships, it may be time to seek treatment. Life comes along with an abundance of stresses, including our jobs, money, bills, family, romantic relationships and health. There are alternative and more natural methods to treating those who suffer from stress.
Here we have answered questions about how a natural medicine doctor Chicago, IL residents trust may approach alleviating your level of anxiety.
Are there teas and herbs I can take as part of my treatment plan?
Based on your condition, your natural medicine doctor may recommend taking a variety of teas or herbal medicines. You will want to consult with a natural medicine doctor before incorporating herbal medicine into your daily routine. The most common teas or herbs that can help lessen anxiety include:
- Chamomile = for those who are jittery, this herb can help you get calm. It is mostly taken in tea form.
- L-Theanine (Green Tea) = research suggests that L-theanine can help reduce anxiety, regulate blood pressure and heart rate.
- Valerian = this herb can reduce anxiety, and also make you tired. It can benefit those who have trouble sleeping. Valerian does not usually smell that great, so people usually choose to take it in a tincture or capsule form.
- Lemon Balm = often taken as a tea, tincture or capsule, this herb can nip anxiety in the bud quickly. Some research has found that taking too much can have the opposite effect and make you more anxious, so start in small doses.
Will my natural medicine doctor want to know about my exercise routine?
The goal of a natural medicine doctor is to get to know each patient as an individual. So this means getting a good idea of all aspects of the person, including medical history, current medications, symptoms, diet, lifestyle and exercise. Regular exercise has been shown to be a powerful way to ease anxiety and depression. It is likely your doctor will talk about exercise and make recommendations, if you do not already have a routine.
How does taking a forest bath alleviate my anxiety?
Also called Shinrin-yoku in Japanese culture, forest bath means to take a walk in the forest, or a place where you are enveloped in nature. Studies suggest that when we take even a walk in deep nature for twenty minutes, it can have positive benefits. Those who take walks in a true forest have lower stress hormone levels than those who take walks in more urban environments.
What can a natural medicine doctor do for my mental health?
A natural medicine doctor may talk to you about a technique called mindfulness meditation. This is where you practice paying attention to the present moment you are in, on purpose and without judgement. So often our body and mind is not in the same place at the same time. Our mind is usually living in either the past or future, which can increase anxiety since we are not in the here and now.
Thank you to our contributors at WholeHealth Chicago for the above information.
