Heightened feelings of anxiety during the holiday season is like ornaments on a Christmas tree – a guarantee for anyone who already suffers from anxiety during the rest of the calendar year.


In fact, according to this article in Psychology Today, “Feeling depressed or anxious is not unusual during the holiday season. Upcoming dinners, parties, and other family or friend gatherings may cause a great deal of stress. These feelings may be even worse for those who have experienced divorce, lost a loved one, are living far from family and friends, etc.”


Anxiety disorders are an extremely common situation and are among the most common mental illnesses in the United States. Approximately 40 million adults over the age of 18 are affected, with over three million Americans being diagnosed every year.


Yet only 37% of these people are receiving treatment or engaging in any behaviors to help lessen their symptoms of anxiety, which include stress that's out of proportion to the impact of the event, inability to set aside a worry, and restlessness. Untreated anxiety may result in depression, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.


At Dr. Gena Chiropractic, a leading family chiropractor in Plantation, we make it our mission to ensure that everyone who walks through our doors leaves feeling happier, healthier, and ready to take on the world. We believe in a natural approach to health, and have found that taking small steps every day to naturally lessen symptoms of anxiety go a long way.


That’s why we’re sharing our top 3 ways to naturally lessen anxiety, so that you can enjoy the holiday season you so deserve to enjoy, with less stress and worry.


Exercise

You know that clear, energized feeling you feel after a workout, no matter how bad your day was prior to lacing up your sneakers? That’s the powerful effect that physical activity has on our brains. Anxious energy is best burned off through exercise, whether it’s just a brisk 20-minute walk, or a heart-pounding exercise class. Exercise is considered vital for maintaining mental health, and physical activity produces endorphins – the brain’s natural painkiller. Aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease levels of tension, improve sleep, stabilize mood, and of course, improve self-esteem. Get moving, and you’ll feel instantly refreshed and ready to tackle any holiday tasks that you are faced with.


Don’t Skimp on Sleep

With all of those holiday invitations plastered to your fridge and filling up your inbox, a good night’s sleep may seem far off. Skimping on sleep, however, not only leaves your body feeling exhausted, it seriously affects your brain as well – not a good thing for people with anxiety. Sleep deprivation creates an imbalance in hormone levels that drive anxiety levels higher. Not enough sleep can result in boosted adrenaline levels that will exacerbate existing anxiety issues.


Our tip for ensuring your sleep patterns don’t suffer during the holiday season? Don’t bite off more than you can chew, and don’t hesitate to cancel plans if you’re feeling run down or exhausted. “Listen to your body, and if it feels like it’s doing too much, it probably is,” Dr. Gena says.


Chiropractic Care

In a case study published by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, a 42-year-old female who began visiting her chiropractor for regular care following a car accident, results were drastic. She began her chiropractic journey while suffering from anxiety attacks, agoraphobia, nightmares, insomnia, dizziness and other exacerbated symptoms of anxiety. “After two months of chiropractic care and counseling patient reported a sharp reduction in anxiety, an end to agoraphobia attacks, bladder urgency, insomnia and dizziness and reduced low back pain. After an additional four months patient reported complete relief from anxiety and ulcer symptoms.”


At Dr. Gena Chiropractic, your favorite family chiropractor located just minutes west of Fort Lauderdale, we believe that your health is in your hands, and remind you that our hands are here to help*!


*If you are feeling overwhelming anxiety this holiday season, we urge you to seek professional care.  This article is by no means a substitute for mental health care and/or your regular anxiety-treatment routine.


Locations

Office Hours

Monday

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Tuesday

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Wednesday

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Thursday

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Friday

Closed

Saturday

9:00 am - 11:00 am

Sunday

Closed

Monday
10:00 am - 1:00 pm 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Wednesday
10:00 am - 1:00 pm 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am - 1:00 pm 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Friday
Closed
Saturday
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Sunday
Closed