Holistic health for stress

Now we are moving into Christmas preparations and it is dark, it is cold and there is lots to do. Stress levels are rising!

Stress can be a positive thing when we call it a ‘challenge’. Challenges motivate us and keep us interested in life. But the problem comes when we are overwhelmed by our challenges. Maybe the challenge is too big, or we lack the resources to meet it. Worry can drain our energy and then the tasks can seem insurmountable.

So we asked our therapists how they cope with their own challenges, and how their treatments and suggestions could help you with yours.

Our herbalist Joy Holmes says “In my practice I like to give my patients the time to explore how they are feeling. Often giving that space helps them acknowledge for themselves what needs to be prioritised. The herbs then help to support and relieve built up tension, allowing the patient to rest and thus build their foundational energy. This helps them become more resilient and offers clarity to situations that they may have been amplifying unnecessarily”

Alexander technique practitioner Hester Singer told us that she thinks of stress as being mental and physical tension in response to perceived danger. This fear response can often become habitual. “I cope with my own stress by noticing and interrupting my response and choosing a relaxed physical response, which feeds back to my nervous system that there is no danger. Alexander called this process ‘inhibit and direct’. Then in clinic I put my hands on a person to pass on this experience through our nervous systems communicating. With time they learn to ‘inhibit and direct’ for themselves in everyday life.”

Carol Burnett, another of our experienced herbalists, says “Regarding stress, whilst supportive nervine herbs, adaptogens and supplements are really effective, it’s essential for the person to recognise their stress and explore changes or practices they could adopt that would also help. I also feel it is essential to include some sort of bodywork in a protocol to reduce the physical residues of stress. It’s good to do something energetic, like walking, cycling – whatever; and something relaxing that involves deep breathing, like yoga, breath work or Tia chi.
And as well, you should work with an experienced body worker, something like massage, acupuncture, Alexander technique, any of the therapies on offer at NEH really. It’s good to have someone do something to or for you as well as engaging yourself.
I think it’s essential that people realise that chronic stress is a driver for lots of disease.”

Our massage therapist Kate Sheridan says that “I explore where my clients are holding excessive tension in their muscles and posture, and whether it is causing issues such as headaches, digestive issues and stiffness. We explore movement and postures so that they can feel how their body is responding to emotions and stress levels. Then I use soft tissue techniques including massage to help relax and relieve the tension held in the body so they can feel the difference.

We also discuss self-care to help release excessive muscle tension. For example, this may include time in nature, better self-awareness of their patterns of holding or moving themselves, and simple exercises to help relax and improve mobility. Often a positive result of this is improved sleep, and this helps with everything else.”

In the shop, the use of adaptogen herbs is perhaps the best known of herbal strategies for short term stress. Adaptogens are so-named because they help you to adapt, to be flexible and resilient. The correct adaptogen could help you to thrive within your challenges rather than being overwhelmed by them. There are many adaptogens, ranging from the Indian Ashwagandha to the Siberian ginseng. Talk to your herbalist about which is right for you. If you just want to try one then here are some of our suggestions:

Ashwagandha is particularly useful when your sense of being overwhelmed has begun to affect your ability to sleep and you are feeling agitated or upset.
Siberian ginseng (Eleuthero) for endurance. It is indicated for exhaustion associated with overwork, when you are physically at your limits.