There are a growing number of people experiencing anxiety and heightened states of stress. Modern lifestyles give us many opportunities to learn more about how we can better position ourselves for health and resilience.
In this article we’ll look at how to respond to anxiety and elevated levels of stress from a craniosacral therapy perspective.
During times of anxiety and stress there can often be an influence on:
- Sleep
- Diet
- Breathing
- Muscle tone
- Heart rate
- Memory retention
- Digestion
- Emotional Regulation
- Social Connection
The level of stress & anxiety we encounter play a significant role in the way we experience emotions and psychological (mental) states.
What we do with stress is where much of the magic is. When stress happens for a short period of time, the body isn’t negatively impacted. Yet, over a long period of time, stress can where down the immune system.
With a Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy approach, which I offer in my clinic in Cooroy on the Sunshine Coast, I support my clients to build a healthy nervous system and live lives without the burden of anxiety and stress. Sessions are last for an hour
In between sessions here are some steps you can take to live an anxiety and stress free life.
- Get in nature
- Listen to music
- Sing – engages the Vagus Nerve, down-regulates the Sympathetic Nervous System and soothes stress
- Connect with Loved Ones – assists nervous system regulation to come out of fight/flight
- Chi-Kung /Yin Yoga / Dance – Excellent for shifting consciousness. Soothes mind generated anxiety. Calms the nervous system.
- Yoga Nidra – Resting/Sleep meditation. Can do wonders for sleeplessness and for those who struggle to stop or do nothing.
- Breathing Practice– For anxiety and stress aim for the slower breathing practices and if doing the more active yang breathwork don’t go overboard. This is very effective in changing emotional states.
- Meditation
These practices are excellent ways in which we can assist the body to resolve stress and anxiety in the body especially when combined with craniosacral therapy bodywork. The combination of slow conscious breaths, moving the body in slow rhythmic cycles, stretches and poses has a tremendous capacity to alleviate physical and mental stress.
When we combine this with regular exercise, a balanced lifestyle and bodywork sessions to maintain optimum health we can see dramatic improvements in health.
Meditation has rapidly been embraced the world over for good reason. It has been proven through neuro-science to actually be a panacea for many health issues. Meditation is pivotal in craniosacral therapy because it is the key to health through an inner awareness of the bodies natural state of equilibrium. This greatly supports the immune system by reducing the unnecessary consumption of the bodies energy resources. Meditation, Yoga, Chi-Kung and time spent in nature assists the transmutation of stress especially when we observe internal and external experiences in a neutral way. This means when we less reactive to pleasant and unpleasant stimuli in life we begin to experience better quality health.
As we build our capacity to remain balanced in our approach to the ups and downs life inevitably brings we discover a greater level of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Craniosacral Therapy is remarkable in how it can provide a stable platform for our bodies expression of health. To learn more or to book a session for Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy in my clinic in Cooroy on the Sunshine Coast Click here