Naturopathy to manage stress and anxiety

Nowadays, stress and anxiety are increasingly part of the daily lives of millions of people. Often resulting from fast paced lives and high expectations, these emotional states can have major consequences on mental and physical health. This is why many of us today are looking for natural methods to reduce stress. Among them, we find naturopathy. What are its benefits? Discover them in this article!

Learn more about naturopathy

What is naturopathy?

Naturopathy is a vision of health that aims to improve the general well-being of a person, by acting on the individual as a whole and not just on a specific area. This means that instead of treating symptoms in isolation, naturopathy is a technique that focuses on the root causes of the imbalances observed. The goal is always to restore harmony between the body, mind and environment .

Naturopathy is based on ancestral practices. On the program here: natural techniques, such as herbal medicine and nutrition, but also relaxation techniques.

Why practice naturopathy in the face of stress and anxiety?

If naturopathy is recommended for stress and anxiety management , it is because it approaches these subjects with a vision that is both preventive and holistic. Taking care of yourself in a natural way, focusing on physical and emotional health helps reduce the mental and emotional burden that a person can bear. Finally, naturopathy is an approach based on the principle that the human body is capable of self-regulation , as long as it is sufficiently supported.

The nutritional aspect to better understand moments of stress and anxiety

A balanced diet

The first key element of naturopathy is undoubtedly diet. Indeed, a healthy diet plays an important role in regulating mood and stress management. Naturopaths also strongly encourage a diet rich in nutrients essential for the proper functioning of the body. It is also advisable to favor fruits, vegetables, whole foods and sources of quality proteins. The idea is to avoid deficiencies (magnesium, vitamin B, zinc), which can increase stress and make the body more vulnerable to anxiety.

Supplements and plants

To complement this healthy diet, naturopathy also encourages the use of supplements and plants known for their soothing benefits. For example, we can cite:

• Magnesium : it is often recommended to reduce nervous tension, due to its relaxing effect.
• Lemon balm and valerian : two plants with calming effects that are regularly recommended to help reduce anxiety and improve the quality of sleep.

Today, there is a wide variety of supplements and plants that can naturally support the body, available in the form of herbal teas or capsules that are well tolerated by the body.

Adaptogenic plants

Another avenue to explore in the context of naturopathy is that of adaptogenic plants . These are special plants that will help the body better cope with stress. How? By strengthening the body's ability to adapt to stressful situations, by modulating biological responses.

To give you some ideas of plants that fall into this category, we find for example ashwagandha and rhodiola . The first has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for several centuries now, particularly for its anti-stress effect. The second helps to better manage periods of intense anxiety, it is known to support mental and physical endurance.

Breathing, relaxation and well-being for better stress and anxiety management

Breathing exercises

It's no secret that breathing exercises are very effective in calming the mind and nervous system. Among the various exercises known today, here are two simple techniques that can be practiced by everyone:

• Abdominal breathing : This involves inhaling through the nose while inflating the belly before exhaling gently through the mouth and thus deflating the belly. This breathing method is known to calm the body and reduce tension.
• Cardiac coherence : this is a method which consists of synchronizing breathing with the heart rate, in order to soothe the nervous system.

Guided meditation and relaxation

Another technique used in naturopathy and widely known today: meditation . Indeed, it is a practice that can reduce anxiety. Studies show that even a few minutes a day of meditation can have a positive impact on humans and in particular improve mood and well-being . For beginners, there are now guided meditation or progressive relaxation sessions, which are quite easy to follow.

Physical activity and well-being

Recommended in life in general, for everyone, physical activity also plays an important role in stress management. Indeed, it is recognized that moderate physical activity can help reduce the level of cortisol, the stress hormone. Thus, you have many options to release accumulated tension and free your mind: walking, dancing, running, cycling, etc. It's up to you to choose the sport that suits you best!

Apart from this physical activity, in naturopathy, it is also often recommended to take up gentler activities , such as yoga or martial arts (qi gong). These practices, which combine breathing and meditation techniques with slow movements, help to calm the nervous system and increase both physical and mental flexibility.

Some precautions and limits before embarking on naturopathy

Consult a professional

While naturopathy emphasizes natural solutions, it remains essential to consult a qualified health professional to benefit from appropriate support. Indeed, each person has different needs, which is why approaches must be personalized . And if you have a chronic condition or if you are following medical treatment, this is one more reason to consult a doctor and receive the best advice in your approach.

The limits of naturopathy

Furthermore, keep in mind that naturopathy does not replace conventional medicine known today, especially for medical emergencies or serious illnesses. Thus, naturopathy is not a substitute for medical treatment, especially in the case of severe anxiety disorders. In all cases, adequate monitoring is required to assess the evolution of each person's situation.

Conclusion

To conclude, naturopathy is a vision of health that offers various solutions to better manage stress and anxiety in a natural way. It is a practice that promotes a balanced approach to health, and which aims to act on the root causes of stress, and thus improve general well-being. To do this, nutrition, plants, relaxation and meditation techniques, physical activity are all avenues to explore and implement. So what are you waiting for to try it too?