Strategies for Anxiety

Many things can lead to anxiety. Genetics, environment, people around us, diet, brain chemistry, gut health, traumas, and so much more. When we experience stress, the reptilian part of the brain Immediately goes into “fight or flight.” You cannot override this with thought in that moment. It’s primal. This fight/flight response creates a rush of adrenaline from the adrenal glands sitting atop the kidneys. IF we perceive stress for a long time (ie: we don’t know how long the saber tooth tiger will chase us, how long the boss will yell at us, how long the addict might use, etc). The body cannot keep dispersing adrenaline- because it is a quick release hormone. SO the body produces cortisol. Cortisol can create weight in the belly (holding fat to keep you alive in stress and danger, and so vitamins A, D, E, F, and K can still be held and used to keep us functioning). The belly fat can turn to a fake estrogen. Potentially creating an environment where we have a hard time going to sleep/staying asleep, making a big deal out of things we wouldn’t normally make a big deal out of, and exasperating emotions/feelings.

A few things can disrupt this process: •Meditation/Breathwork (mind/spirit) •Massage/Bodywork (body/body/spirit) •Therapy (mind/body) •Hydration (mind/body/spirit) •Diet (mind/body/spirit) •Exercise- there is a time in the stages of adrenal fatigue for powerful cardio and another for only gentle stretching/yin yoga. Sometimes we gotta sweat it out! Other times we need restful movement to heal. (mind/body/spirit) •Herbs/meds (mind/body/spirit)

SOMETIMES the hormones can be stronger than just positive affirmations and positive thinking. They may require an intervention. There are 5 different ways I treat adrenal fatigue/stress in the office.

There are also Bioidentical hormones. A nurse practitioner or doctor, who offers this, can do bloodwork to find your levels of testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen. Then a pharmacist will mix your specific needs with natural ingredients into a pellet, cream or patch to balance you out.

Local facilities for this (that I know of) are: •Pelle Spa (Farmington) •Reliance Medical (Farmington) •La Mesa Chiropractic (Farmington) •Southwest Women’s Health (Durango, CO)

My PSA for the day My office number, if I can help, is 505.330.0727

Be an advocate for you. You know you. Speak up for you

Love, Your Neighborhood Naturopath