How Can Using Essential Oils Help One Cope With Generalized Anxiety?
Generalized anxiety can interfere with one’s ability to manage life’s priorities. It may be highly difficult for one to maintain a stable lifestyle with constant worry on their shoulders. The negative effects of generalized anxiety can interfere with one’s ability to manage complete balance in their life. As a result, many individuals self-medicate their condition with drugs or alcohol, often making their condition worse. Using essential oils during meditative practices in combination with traditional talk therapy at Restoration Recovery can be a great way to cope with challenges associated with dual diagnosis.
What Is Generalized Anxiety?
Worrying here and there is a normal part of living. Prolonged excessive worry can be a time for concern though. In other words, generalized anxiety can sometimes get the best of us. For severe cases, one may worry for no obvious reason at all for a prolonged period. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), generalized anxiety may make one feel constantly on edge, just waiting for disaster to take its course.
An individual facing challenges with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may fear issues with their finances, mental and physical health, employment, and academic performance. One struggling with anxiety may dread the start of the day or week. It can be difficult for one facing challenges with anxiety to take time to appreciate the good things in life when in constant fear of enduring stressful events.
Generalized Anxiety Symptoms
One may have difficulty differentiating typical nervosa from the effects of GAD. This type of anxiety disorder develops gradually over the years. As stated in the aforementioned NIMH study, although anxiety can occur in one’s childhood, the onset of the condition typically starts in one’s early 30s.
Even though the psychiatric disorder is more frequent in women, many men struggle to manage their generalized anxiety. One way to effectively manage the mental health condition is by slowing down to recognize the warning signs associated with an individual’s condition. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms, but common signs might include:
- Having trouble controlling worries
- Deep down knowing you worry more than you should
- Having problems relaxing and feeling restless
- Experiencing difficulty concentrating on daily tasks
- Are startled easily
- Experiencing irregular sleeping patterns
- Feeling extreme fatigue
- Experiencing physical pain, muscle weakness, or gastrointestinal discomfort
- Having a difficult time swallowing
- Experiencing profuse sweating
- Taking frequent bathroom breaks
The Value of Using Essential Oils for Generalized Anxiety
According to the journal The Mental Health Clinician, generalized anxiety conditions are a prevalent mental health concern in today’s society. If left unmanaged, the condition may cause debilitating consequences making it difficult for an individual to function. Traditional medicine therapies used today for anxiety disorders may be helpful, but they do come with their limits. Existing pharmacotherapies tend to increase one’s risk of dependence, withdrawal, and tolerance, often leading to substance abuse.
For less severe cases, choosing a more holistic approach can be a great alternative to medicinal treatment options. Using essential oils as a complementary approach to traditional treatment methods can be a beneficial option as well. Essential oils – particularly, lavender oil – have been recently supported by clinical efficacy studies. Thus, using lavender oil has been proven to provide anxiolytic benefits to those who are facing intense challenges with generalized anxiety.
Using Essential Oils in Restoration Recoveries Holistic Treatment Modalities
Living with untreated GAD can feel defeating. Taking time to tour a trusted mental health facility and speaking with a specialist can help encourage one to move forward with treatment. It can be difficult to cope with the effects of anxiety alone. Professional help can provide the skills needed to safely manage one’s condition without depending on drugs and alcohol to suppress their intense feelings of anxiety.
Discussing a comprehensive treatment plan with a professional can provide an enhanced path toward recovery. Everyone may deal with trial and error when it comes to treatment, but developing an individualized treatment plan may save one from mental anguish and feelings of wasted effort. A specialist will take time to get to know the potential client by discussing their medical history, interests, strengths, and weaknesses to best tailor their services to their specific needs. Restoration Recovery understands that recovery is a lifelong process. Incorporating essential oils in holistic treatment can be a great way to gain relief for a better quality of life.
For example, using essential oils during yoga and meditation may help one feel relaxed, calm, and collected. Playing healing instruments with lavender essential oils in a diffuser can give off a unique aroma to calm one’s mind. An individual may also enjoy playing the Tibetan singing bowl, listening to an ocean drum, or playing with a rain stick during therapy. Everyone deserves to heal. Additional holistic treatment modalities that may help one overcome GAD might include:
- Art therapy
- Tai chi
- Acupuncture
- Dance/movement therapy
At our California recovery center, our serene setting helps clients achieve not just wellness, but wholeness. Established in May 2017 in Auburn, California, our many holistic therapies are rooted in bodywork and mindfulness practices. You can expect to have your mind, body, and spirit integrated into addiction treatment. People can choose to partake in holistic services at Restoration Recovery in a variety of programs. Each client is assessed when entering treatment to create a unique recovery plan based on individual needs. If you are interested in holistic therapies, reach out to Restoration Recovery today at (888) 290-0925 to learn how incorporating essential oils in your treatment plan can help you heal.
