Generation AnXiety
Climate disasters, the recession, homelessness, terrorism, the rise of the right wing and Donald Trump’s presidency have fuelled a rise in depression and anxiety experienced across the globe, felt especially by the young.
Per recent statistics from the World Health Organisation, 40% of disability worldwide is due to depression and anxiety (1). Furthermore, anxiety can be triggered by a range of common factors, including stress, hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems and genetic predisposition.
News reports and current affairs like Brexit and the Syrian War have a massive psychological impact on those watching from home. Even if it may sound a bit ‘First World Problems’, since some of us are fortunate to only be observing the war, the reality is, as one human race, pain inflicted upon our fellow man takes its toll on us all eventually.
‘Childline, the NSPCC helpline, gave counselling to 11,706 young people for anxiety in the financial year just ended, a rise of nearly a third from the 8,642 cases reported the year before.’(2)
A new study even shows the Allostatic Load (bodily wear and tear from repeated stress), is much higher for Women of Colour than their Caucasian counterpart (3). Just one possible explanation is ongoing police brutality against Black and brown bodies where woman stay in complete suspense lest it be their son next.
In both Eastern and Western medicine, stress and anxiety are known detriments to physical health. Cycles of illness can occur, each trickling to the next – from insomnia, crippling panic attacks or suicidal thoughts leading to hair fall out, skin problems, loss of social life, binge eating, alcoholism and drug taking. Every system in the body from endocrine to digestion can be harmed, with Kidney Failure, Stroke and Angina all possible from long-term stress.
So what can we do?
How to curb, control and Treat
Quite a lot can be done, with Acupuncture and Acupressure providing great relief from in-the-moment anxiety building up, and undoing historic manifestations of stress within the body. Many people seek practices like meditation, mindfulness and yoga to help their mental health with brilliant results.
Food can be medicinal too – Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda are systems of food related healing for just about any illness you could think of. Limit raw ‘cold’ foods, and chose to add ginger, cardamom and cinnamon for comforting warmness. Avoid sugar, caffeine and alcohol, but fortify your diet with kidney loving foods like quinoa, blueberries, beetroot, kelp, spirulina, sweet potatoes and even aloe vera!(4)
In TCM the kidneys and adrenal glands are the same thing.
Herbs and teas like rooibos, chamomile, Ashwagandha and lavender can be a delicious source of healing: go for organic varieties for the extra boost. If you’ve been inspired to take matters in your own hands, you’ll be pleased to know there are teams of people working on anxiety, stress and depression at Tiger Boe.
Control of your life is in your hands, and if you need help remembering this, we are here for you all week, all year.
Peace and love, Tiger Boe.
Self Help – Courses, Workshops and Treatments at Tiger Boe
Tiger Boe Centre Treatments Monday to Friday Acupuncture, Massage, Reflexology, Reiki, Moxibustion, Cupping
Unplugged Space Year round Every Saturday – Free Guided Meditations
Nottingham Mindfulness Group Year round – courses, workshops and drop in sessions
Work Well Practice Thursday evenings from January 10th – workshops on stress management; anxiety; self-hypnosis; finding your purpose and more
Wild Moon Full Moon Yoga January 12th, February 11th
Eat Yourself to Health February 4th & 5th – Chinese Medicated Diet Course & Acupuncture
Restore, Rebalance & Rebuild Urban Retreat March 25th & 26th – A weekend of treatments at Tiger Boe
ThinKnotts May 13th – Mass Meditation in Market Square
More information and many more courses can be found on our Events Page
The Work Well Practice at Tiger Boe
Sources: 1) https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/our-services/anxiety-information/frequently-asked-questions/ [https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/our-services/anxiety-information/frequently-asked-questions/&h=haqgtldym_green]
2) http://www.salemstatelog.com/brexit-and-us-election-lead-to-soaring-anxiety-levels-among-young-people/ [http://www.salemstatelog.com/brexit-and-us-election-lead-to-soaring-anxiety-levels-among-young-people/&h=haqgtldym_green]
3) https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-11/smh-sfr111616.php [https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-11/smh-sfr111616.php/&h=haqgtldym_green]
4) http://www.consciouslifestylemag.com/foods-for-anxiety-body-calm
