The breakneck pace at which the world is operating these days has caused widespread stress and anxiety in millions of people. Think about it: how often do you hear a friend or colleague complain about how stressed and exhausted they are? People are also reporting more instances and feelings of anxiety, which wasn’t in mainstream discussion several years ago.
Unfortunately, high-octane environments have become the norm because of today’s frenetic society, pressuring people to continue performing and delivering even when they should be resting. Although stress is normal to a certain extend, too much of it can backfire on your mental and physical health.
Striking a Delicate Balance With Stress
Experiencing stress is a normal part of being human. Responses like an increased heart rate, blood pressure, and sharp mental focus allow us to make quick decisions during emergencies while delivering the best possible results. It can make us feel vitalized and ready to take action, which is why stress can be beneficial when it’s in small, healthy doses.
However, many people struggle to keep up with their job’s demands, causing them to feel stressed all the time. With the constant production of stress hormones like cortisol, norepinephrine, and adrenaline, people can no longer relax—instead, they’re high-strung and on edge all the time, which will harm them in the long run.
In fact, chronic stress involves many physical symptoms. If you’ve ever clenched your jaw or ground your teeth excessively while having trouble sleeping, that’s a sure sign you’re grappling with stress. Experiencing gut issues like an upset stomach, nausea, or diarrhea is also an indication of anxiety. Sore muscles in your neck and shoulder area, racing thoughts, a rapid heart rate, and a reduced libido are all signs that your body is succumbing to chronic stress, requiring immediate action to undo its effects. When left untreated, chronic stress can increase your risk for all types of conditions, like depression and anxiety, heart attack, obesity, colitis, and even irritable bowel syndrome.
How Acupuncture Can Help
Luckily, acupuncture can help relieve some of the stress you’ve been feeling. It’s a popular healing practice part of traditional Chinese medicine that has helped millions of people improve their well-being over many centuries. Although it uses needles and inserts them into the top layer of your skin, it doesn’t hurt—it stimulates pressure points in your body, restoring your stress equilibrium and improving the flow of your Qi. The needles are super-fine, which means you’ll barely feel them.
Another benefit of going to an acupuncture clinic is that it doubles as relaxation time. As the needles work their magic and undo your stress, merely being in the room is enough to calm you down. You’ll be resting for around 30 minutes once the practitioner places the needles in you, allowing you to relax and let go of your worries. You can even rest your eyes and fall into a light sleep!
There aren’t any side effects to acupuncture since it is a drug-free treatment, which means you don’t have to worry about any adverse reactions to any medication you may be taking. It leverages your body’s internal mechanisms to provide you with relief, causing your brain to release endorphins, making you feel good without taking any medications for it.
Conclusion
Acupuncture benefits are almost endless. Regularly scheduling acupuncture at a Vancouver wellness center is a safe and natural way to reduce pain, inflammation, and stress, helping you feel less anxious. Although the prospect of having needles stuck into you may be intimidating, the truth is that it provides you with much-needed time to reset, unwind, and release the tension you’ve been feeling. You’ll leave the room feeling calmer than you’ve had in weeks.
Sinclair Wellness Center is a multidisciplinary clinic offering body massage, drip IV therapy, acupuncture, naturopathic care, and many more. We employ a natural approach to health and wellness, helping you find relief and balance in today’s incredibly hectic and stressful environment. Book an appointment with us today!