Can Plants Help Treat Anxiety?

When it comes to anxiety, quite a few people around the world are dependent upon pharmaceutical medications, many of which can lead to dependency and other problems. At Dawn Potter Acupuncture & Wellness we are proud to offer a more natural approach to healthcare and anxiety management, including a variety of herbs. Today, we’ll be discussing which herbs are best known for their anxi-anxiety properties. Have additional questions? Interested in Clearwater Chinese herbal medicine? We would be happy to help, schedule your free 15 minute phone consultation to get started today.

Matricaria Recutita (Chamomile)

If you’ve ever looked around at tea, especially the caffeine free variety, chances are you’ve seen Chamomile mentioned. Chamomile is an extremely popular herb that has been used for centuries to promote relaxation and reduce overall anxiety.

Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender)

Have you ever noticed Lavender is in a lot of products for babies? This is often due to the fact it can promote relaxation, improve sleep and reduce anxiety. Luckily, it isn’t only helpful for infants! Lavender has been shown to greatly improve anxiety when taken orally.

Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm)

This next plant isn’t quite as well known as the others on the list, but that doesn’t make it any less effective. Lemon Balm has been shown to reduce anxiety, improve mood and decrease rates of depression.

Valeriana Officinalis (Valerian Root)

Another common plant found in caffeine free tea varieties is Valerian, commonly listed as Valerian Root. Valerian has sedative properties and has been shown to change chemistry in parts of the brain often correlated with anxiety and stress. **As with anything you take, you should consult a professional before adding/changing anything related to your medical care.**

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Interested in a more natural approach to your anxiety treatment? Schedule an appointment with us today to discuss our Clearwater Chinese herb treatment.

Going Plant Based For New Years? Here Are Some Tips!

Each year people around the world make resolutions to improve their life in the upcoming year. Resolutions geared toward health, fitness and dieting are some of the most common. In recent years, going plant based/vegan has grown in popularity. At Dawn Potter Acupuncture in Clearwater we are here for this trend, we are big supporters of plant based diets and the positive effects it can have on your health/life. Today, we’re providing some tips that can help with sticking to your resolution of going vegan/plant based. Have additional questions? Interested in some nutritional guidance/advice? For any of your needs, feel free to reach out.

Find A Community

When it comes to implementing change, surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals can be a great help. Whether you find a local plant based group in your community or venture online it can be helpful. Facebook, Quora, Reddit and other platforms have different communities for plant based, veganism, etc.

Download The Apps

Navigating a new way of eating can be complicated, luckily some wonderful people have created applications for your phone that can help. HappyCow provides information about different restaurants that provide vegan options. Is It Vegan is another extremely useful application that allows you to scan barcodes and it will let you know if any ingredients may not be plant based/vegan friendly.

Go Slow

When it comes to implementing changes to your diet/lifestyle it can be important to do so slowly. Moving too quickly can be overwhelming and lead to failure. Start slowly, try by making more meals plant based as you slowly cut other products out of your life.

Try New Things

When people try a new way of eating, they often stick to a lot of old habits, avoiding foods they may not have liked many years ago. As you change your diet, taste can actually change. We highly recommend at least trying things you may not have liked before to see if your taste has changed or if a different preparation method works better for you.

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Interested in nutritional guidance for plant based diets in Clearwater, Florida? Dawn Potter Acupuncture would be happy to help. Schedule your FREE 15 minute phone consultation today.

New Year’s Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

Each year it seems like everyone is making a resolution, whether it be quitting smoking, losing weight or even finding a new career. For many people, sticking to these resolutions can be a problem. Today, Dawn Potter Acupuncture in Clearwater is discussing New Year’s resolutions that people can actually keep up in the long run. Have questions? Contact us today, we’d be happy to help with any of your needs.

Eat Whole Foods

Sure, there are plenty of diets around that people try every year… but how sustainable are they in the long run? We recommend adding more whole foods to your diet, including fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds and even nuts. These foods provide wonderful vitamins and nutrients while keeping your body healthier as well.

Move More

Did you know that living a sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk of early mortality? Getting up and moving more can literally add time to your life. We recommend trying to get up and move around a few times a day for at least 10 minutes at a time. Whether it is taking a walk or doing some quick workouts, it can really benefit you overall.

Sit Less

People who sit more often are actually at an increased risk for circulatory problems such as blood clots and even higher blood pressure. If you are required to sit for long periods of time throughout the day, try switching to an exercise ball as a chair or even investing in a sitting/standing desk.

Drink More Water

Did you know that many people mistake being thirsty for hunger? Other people experience frequent headaches due to constant dehydration. Either way, many people walk around each day without drinking enough water, leading to a range of problems. We recommend drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses of water each day; it will make you feel better overall and can even help you lose and keep off weight.

Contact Dawn Potter Acupuncture in Clearwater Today

Need help with your New Year’s resolution? Interested in a more natural approach to your health? Schedule an appointment with Dawn Potter Acupuncture in Clearwater, Florida today.