Stress and anxiety are commonplace feelings, especially when we are faced with challenging situations. With the growing uncertainty and barrage of problems that the pandemic has brought upon us, it’s only natural to feel stressed and anxious. However, chronic stress and anxiety can lead to many health problems, such as adrenal fatigue and depression.
When it comes to dealing with stress and anxiety and their effects on your physical health, integrative medicine can be helpful. It helps both the mind and body to promote overall well-being. Here’s how an integrative medicine doctor can help with pandemic-induced stress and anxiety.
What Is Integrative Medicine?
Integrative medicine is a healthcare approach that maximizes the body’s natural ability to heal, thus reducing stress and promoting better health. It uses alternative therapies and practices, such as acupuncture and yoga, as well as conventional medicine to treat many medical conditions. These include:
- Autoimmune conditions
- Cancer
- Chronic fatigue and pain
- Digestive disorders
- Diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- Mental health disorders
- Heart problems
- Stress
- Women’s health issues
Integrative approaches aim to reduce fatigue, nausea, pain, and anxiety to alleviate symptoms and eliminate primary stressors that hinder healing. In doing so, they can address physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being holistically.
How Can an Integrative Medicine Doctor Help with Stress and Anxiety?
Chronic stress and anxiety can be a result of poor health, diet, sleep habits, and environmental factors. The best way to treat them is to understand you as a whole person. An integrative medicine doctor will look beyond your physical condition and into other aspects surrounding your lifestyle that contribute to your stress and anxiety.
Once a diagnosis is made, your integrative treatment plan will focus on caring for your mind and body to improve your mood, quality of life, and coping mechanisms. It can consist of complementary and alternative therapies, depending on what suits you.
What Are the Different Integrative Medicine Treatments for Stress and Anxiety?
There are many different ways in which an integrative medicine doctor can approach stress and anxiety related to the pandemic. Here are some ways:
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation involves paying attention to the present moment and minimizing thoughts about the past or future. Clearing your mind of clutter helps boost your mood and reduce stress.
Anyone can practice mindfulness meditation anywhere. However, while you can do it on your own, having an integrative medicine doctor guide you through it — at least in the beginning — will ensure that you’re doing it right. Mindfulness meditation trains your mind to handle stress and anxiety more positively and efficiently, if done correctly.
Massage
You might think of massage as a rare, indulgent treat reserved for when you want to relax and pamper yourself. However, massage is also an effective treatment for stress and anxiety. A certified massage therapist will manipulate your body’s soft tissues, like your muscles, tissues, tendons, ligaments, and skin. Varying degrees of pressure and movement will be used.
Before getting a massage, consult with your integrative medicine doctor. It may not be appropriate for people with bleeding disorders or osteoporosis clients.
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Overcoming stress and anxiety involves specific lifestyle changes, including your eating habits. If you’re feeling anxious or stressed, you might be susceptible to unhealthy eating habits.
Eating junk food sounds like a great way to destress, but certain foods can trigger negative mood shifts. Excessive intake of unhealthy food will affect your body negatively and leave you feeling more stressed. These include:
- Processed foods
- Sugars
- Caffeine
- Red meat
- Alcohol
When stress and anxiety creep in, healthy food and beverage choices will nourish your mind and body. Healthy eating relieves stress, so try eating more fresh vegetables, whole grains, and fruits. Staying hydrated is essential, too. An integrative medicine doctor could guide you on what to eat and avoid, and even weight loss, if necessary.
Aromatherapy
The smell of soothing plant oils can help ease anxiety and stress. Some scents might work better for others, so consider playing around with different options. Some essential oils that you can try are:
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Basil
- Peppermint
- Frankincense
- Bergamot
Integrative Medicine Doctor In Weatherford, TX
Untreated stress and anxiety can be detrimental to your lifestyle and well-being, but integrative medicine can help you manage them. Consult your doctor about your symptoms to determine which integrative treatment options are best for you.
Here at Alpha Care Wellness Center, Dr. Catherine Oseni, our board-certified integrative and functional medicine specialist, is best known for her compassionate approach to care. Healthy living for her clients is dear to Dr. Oseni’s heart — you can trust her to help you manage your stress and anxiety with integrative, holistic, and effective healthcare.
If you’re concerned about the impact of your stress and anxiety on your daily life and long-term health, contact us at (817) 550-6332 or fill out our easy-to-use online form to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you regain control of your life and health!