Advice on Holistic Therapy for Anxiety/Stress

Feownah

Hi All,

Apologies if there is a more suitable place to post this thread or if this is ground that has already been covered.

I am just wondering if anyone can advise on a suitable holistic therapy for anxiety/stress?

Anyone had any specific holistic therapy that they felt helped them and felt that it wasn't just a money spin, but something they found truly effective, if so any information on it would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Smallbit

I found mindfulness very effective...

http://www.mindfulness.ie/

6th

Depends on whats causing the stress but if its short term a good massage can do wonders but for something bigger I've known people who've tried hypnotheraphy and gotten good results.

Obviously I suggest you do your research and find something that suits you. You never know, just taking time regularily and going for a walk might do you the world of good.

Whispered

I find Reiki a great stress release. You can get more info on that in the spirituality forum. (if you start a thread there I'd be more than happy to go into explanations for you, as would others)

As with any holistic or complementary therapy, you should see a doctor if you feel the need.

Also, as 6th said, simply taking a walk, joining the gym, taking up meditation, these all help for stress.

LegacyUser

during a period of suffering with extreme anxiety/panic disorder i found that sessions of aura soma or craniosacral therapy were the only time when i felt any proper release from the awful tension in my body. the aura soma was the best, i completely relaxed during those sessions and forgot everything.

i had a really terrible time with anxiety, but i don't suffer anymore, mainly due to some hard work on changing lifestyle and diet to make myself happier and healthier. i also went to see a psychotherapist and had a couple of sessions of neurolinguistic programming (NLP). the NLP was one of the most beneficial things i did, you might find it similarly helpful, it's well worth looking into.

on top of the therapy the single most important thing i did to get better was learning how important diet is in dealing with anxiety, panic & depression. most of my problem was down to blood sugar lows which were eventually sorted out through diet changes. you might like to read the book Optimum Nutrition for your Mental Health by Patrick Holford, it explains a lot about how diet and mental health go hand in hand and i hope it will help you. it's not very difficult, the main thing is to avoid excesses of sugars and stimulants and to eat regularly to keep your blood sugars stable which is really help your mental health.

remember that for anxiety it is important that you get enough of the B vitamins and magnesium to help calm your nervous system when it's so stressed out, ask your pharmacist or in a health food shop for the best supplement to use.

krudler

Massage, I just finished training as a masseur and the clients I used as part of my case studies all found benefits over the 5 or 6 weeks I was treating them. Tension and anxiety being the main ones, works wonders, especially a head massage, I really enjoy giving those as I find them relaxing as well, and havent had any complaints yet

Victor

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/holistic

holistic (həʊˈlɪstɪk)

— adj
1. of or relating to a doctrine of holism
2. of or relating to the the medical consideration of the complete person, physically and psychologically, in the treatment of a disease

The concept of alternative medicine is in disrepute as it suggests that you ignore your medical professionals. Complimentary medicine is much more balanced - it takes a bit from each to achieve a balance.

So, if you are stressed to the point that it is interfering with your day to day life, do consider talking to your GP, but also realise that a medicalised solution (only) will only get you most of hte way, not all the way.

So, get some exercise (walk a pier, climb a mountain*), eat properly, take breaks, get a massage are all useful.



* Pick one with a path up it.

Raminahobbin

Acupuncture can really help you sort root causes of anxiety and stress. It looks at what energetic imbalances are likely to be the cause, and seeks to rebalance. I've just finished training as an acupuncturist, and have used several anxious people in my case studies (like the massage therapist above!!) that seem to have benefited from the treatment. It's one of the main things people come to acupuncture for!

It might also be worth your while taking up Tai Chi. Same principles as acupuncture, but you learn to work with your own Qi. Plus, it's very relaxing!

Feownah

Hi everyone, thank you all very much for your suggestions and input, I will do some research and figure out what I feel is best for me, i have always been a little stressed/anxious but I have found this has increased recently and I would like to try and remedy this, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, tension in muscles, etc I will look at all suggestions provided and follow through, thanks.

murnettie

Definately in the short term as a therapist, id recommend massage asking the therapist to keep it relaxing by using a lot of effleurage. Things like yoga and a little exercise are great for maintaining the effects of a massage aswell.HTH:)

LegacyUser

Hi,

Could the other posters give us more information on NLP and who they would recommend as a good therapist.

Im also interested in mindfulness but the course doesnt start til September. I suffer from anxiety in social situations or sometimes just feel on edge for no reason. I have tried to lower my sugar intake also to help.

I have tried everything hypnotism, psychotherapy, cbt, acupuncture. massage but nothing works long term. Would love just to be more at ease with myself. Think its a confidence issue also or its a vicious cycle, if I feel anxious around people it knocks my confidence and feel I cant be the person I want to be.

krankykitty

I'm another +1 for mindfulness...

As you say you're interested in that yourself, you don't need to wait for the course, there are plenty of books/CDs that might help - these are some good ones. Your local library might have them, or they might order them for you.

Mindful way through depression - Comes with CD

Mindfulness for Beginners CD

Wherever you Go, there you Are, Mindfulness Meditation for Everyday Life

Mindfulness in Plain English

The Miracle of Mindfulness - Thich Nhat Hahn

eddyc

I suffered from social anxiety for many years and although you never completely get over it, some is normal, what I found to help the most was cognitive behavioural therapy and regular sessions at the gym.
Holistic therapy practitioners are not held up to the same standards as regular medical doctors and thus their therapies don't necessarily work. I'd advise you to read up on studies of efficacy, because from my research most if not all are dressed up placebos.

LegacyUser

Thanks will check out miindfulness cd, just think you will have more dicipline in doing it regularly if you go to a course but it would be a start. I did CBT and found it good but didnt last.
I would just like to be comfortable enough to be able to talk at work at breaks or if Im the focus for awhile in a conversation without thinking Im being interviewed. Wish I could relax a little!
Maybe I should go back to cbt again. Im very active, I agree exercise is great but again its short term feeling.
Anyone any experience with NLP? Think my view of myself needs to change!