Do you suffer with nagging thoughts and fears that just won’t go away? Or perhaps, worry about your job, family or what other people think about you. Some suffer from persistent ‘Mum guilt’ that they should be doing more for their children or harmful comparisons with others. There are many sources of self-criticism and anxiety.
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week (18th-24th May). Since 2001 the Mental Health Foundation has organised this event with a different focus each year. This year’s campaign is centred around kindness. Something I have seen in abundance during the Coronavirus pandemic.
So, it’s a great time to get people talking about mental health and reduce the stigma which so often stops people seeking help. Mental health problems affect our mood, thinking and behaviour and cover a wide range of conditions including depression, bipolar and eating disorders.
My focus with this blog is on one particular mental health disorder I see as an Holistic Therapist – anxiety. A prevalent issue in today’s non-stop world that statistically is twice as likely to affect women than men. Many of you feel constantly burdened and generally overwhelmed by the ups and downs of your ever-hectic daily life. It’s perfectly natural to feel anxious at times. However, when fear and worry spiral out of control, it’s at the detriment of your emotional and physical health.
It is important to remember that focusing on your mental health should not just happen when you are feeling down or fearful. In fact, it’s very hard to do so when you are not in a good place emotionally. By incorporating Holistic Therapy and self-help tools into your routine you can help soothe your nerves. In turn, restoring a sense of calm, boosting your mental strength and well-being.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, fear or apprehension, in particular, about future events. It’s a normal part of life that affects us all in different ways and at different times. There are numerous factors that trigger anxiety and your body’s natural stress response. Some of these are explored further in my recent blog Stress, Anxiety and Overwhelm! – 10 Tips for a Calmer You. At times there are clear, identifiable causes such as moving house or a divorce. However, often we are unable to identify what makes us feel anxious. This can be quite distressing for some.
Can Holistic Therapy help?
When you visit an Holistic Therapist, you are going for more than a treatment. For many, it is just as much about giving you the space to let go and open up about what you are experiencing. Most of the time, it really helps to speak to someone outside of your immediate circle. That other person can offer a fresh perspective on whatever is causing your anxiety and help get you back on track. If they believe your needs require something more specialised, they will refer you to a different talking therapy specialist such as a Counsellor or your GP.
The following statements have been made by my clients when we have discussed their particular circumstances. “Thank you for listening”, “that has helped me see things differently”, “I never thought about it that way”. This sometimes happens on a first visit but may come after subsequent sessions as you start to feel more comfortable and able to let go. It’s important to remember that not every Therapist is for you, as I know that not every client is for me. Sometimes you may need to see more than one Therapist before it feels right and you have a connection.
Holistic Therapy is about looking at the whole person and not just the presenting symptoms. My job is to focus on both your emotional and physical well-being. Moreover, stimulation of the body’s natural healing ability helps to balance mind and body. Three therapies I use to do this are: Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Reiki.
Aromatherapy
This gentle and soothing therapy harnesses the natural, therapeutic powers of essential oils (pure essences extracted from roots, barks, stalks, leaves, flowers or fruit) to stimulate emotional and physical healing. Each oil has its own individual scent and healing potential. Aromatherapy works on the basis that the essential oil aroma triggers the limbic system (the part of the brain linked to emotion). When used with massage this is a powerful combination because the oils are also absorbed through the skin. On entering the bloodstream, they travel to the different body systems and organs where healing commences.
After listening to my clients, I choose oils most appropriate for how they are feeling on that day. As mentioned, anxiety is a common complaint and often my clients don’t speak about it directly. However, my job as a Therapist is to really focus on what is going on under the surface to blend a suitable oil for them. You can find out more about what to expect when you visit my Practice for an Aromatherapy Massage here. Oils I commonly use for anxiety are Neroli (nature’s rescue remedy), Frankincense (a deeply calming and grounding oil) and Bergamot (nature’s Prozac). An array of wonderfully calming and soothing oils amongst a variety that I can use to help ease emotional stress.
With the guidance of your Therapist, you can also incorporate Aromatherapy into your own self-care. By using a diffuser, you can fill your home with a therapeutic aroma. Depending on how you feel you can create blends to uplift or calm you down, boost your energy or sharpen focus. Dispersing diluted essential oils in a de-stressing bath is another great way to ease anxiety. If you are having a particularly bad day add a couple of drops of lavender on a tissue to inhale breathing deeply. This is a great remedy for calming you down.
Reflexology
The theory behind this powerful holistic treatment is that different points (reflexes) on the feet, lower leg, hands, face and ears correspond with different areas of the body. During a treatment I use a specific technique to work these reflexes to bring about balance and stimulate your inherent healing ability.
When anxiety is a particular issue for a client, I focus on specific points, integral to treating this condition, to bring about balance and calm. For example, I can work more intensely on the head, pituitary gland, solar plexus, diaphragm, adrenals and the thoracic spine. I can also teach my clients self-help hand Reflexology treatments for home use.
Reiki
Reiki is a non-intrusive hands-on form of energy healing. A profoundly holistic treatment working on physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. It is based on the idea that life force energy flows through our bodies. When this energy is low or blocked, due to emotional or physical problems, you are more likely to experience illness. The treatment helps to support your body’s healing process by clearing the blockages and rebalancing your energy. A Reiki session will be different for everyone.
If you are suffering with anxiety, this beautifully relaxing treatment supports you by quietening and clearing your mind. After sessions, my clients have reported feeling rebalanced, a sense of floating, calm, centred and completely relaxed.
During one session with a Massage client I incorporated some Reiki as she was keen to learn more about it. She was pretty blown away by the experience, this is what she had to say:
“Since my back massage I have been raving about Reiki. I had questioned whether Reiki did much and unbeknown to me at the end of my massage you gave me some Reiki. I am assuming it’s the Reiki or maybe the combination, however I felt re-energized from my session. It’s as if a heavy cloud (work stress & PMS) had been lifted! I felt I could conquer anything for the rest of the day! So, I am spreading the word and will definitely be back for fuller Reiki treatment. Thank you so much xx”
Don’t Suffer in Silence
Anxiety is prevalent in modern life but there are ways you can help yourself. If things do start to get too much and feelings of anxiety cause prolonged distress, impacting on your ability to cope, then reach out. Myself, other health professionals, friends or family members will always be there to help. Get in touch to chat about how Holistic Therapy could support you in dealing with your emotional stress and help you move forward.