Overcoming Anxiety & Stress: An Important Lesson From The Chicken

During times of uncertainty and the unknown everyday, people are rightfully nervous, and stress and anxiety levels rise. Sadly, now living in the midst of a global COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever, that we look after our health and wellbeing!

Stress (especially when prolonged) has worrying implications for our mental and physical health. Perhaps most importantly at this time, stress and anxiety can compromise our immune system.  Without appropriate support or managing our stress levels, it is all too easy to hit that panic button, adversely impacting our own wellbeing, our families and that of the wider community. As the famous saying goes, the worst thing we can do at times of crisis is panic. Of course, this is easier said than done!

So, as well as taking practical steps to manage our stress and anxiety levels (which you can read about here), I would like to provide some homeopathic information and insight to help support those who are struggling emotionally and mentally. 

And I would like to start by sharing a story about a chicken…!

What Can the Chicken Teach Us About Stress?

Did you know, how we cope with stress in ourselves or around our children, can provoke even more stress and anxiety? I recently heard psychologist David Coleman share a great chicken story on the RTE Late Late Show – it was a fantastic way to explain how our reaction to stress and panic can have such a knock-on effect, prolonging anxiety further for all. 

When a chicken is frightened its survival response (tonic immobilisation for science lovers) can be triggered, meaning the chicken becomes frozen in fear for between 30-50 seconds. The poor thing is playing dead in the hope that a pesky predator won’t see her! Once the chicken thinks the threat has passed, it will return to “business as usual.” A very happy ending for our little chicken! 

BUT…if another chicken wanders along and sees the first chicken’s fear, and senses danger, it will also panic and completely freeze. Both chickens can stay like this for up to five minutes!! So a small stress disturbance is now greatly exasperated. 

In the third scenario, (even though our first chicken is still immobilised), our second chicken comes along this time but doesn’t perceive the same threat. It doesn’t feel threatened enough to freeze, and because of this, the first chicken is now reassured that everything is ok. Now both our lovely chicks are reassured enough to go about their day as normal and their stress levels reduce. 

So what’s the takeaway? These same communal stress responses exist in us humans! Our children and others within the community are paying close attention to how we as individuals cope with extremely stressful situations, and in turn, are impacted by our behaviour. 

Hence, the mass-panic reactions that sent our anxiety levels spiralling – which if left unmanaged can play havoc with our health and wellbeing. Instead, we can choose to model healthy stress coping strategies, so that we remain calm, regulated and healthy. As this isn’t always easy to do, I’d like to explain how Homoeopathic remedies prescribed for your specific needs can help greatly!

As Alice my client from the USA shares… 

“I’ve dealt with anxiety and panic attacks all my life, but they have been under control for the last few years. Since the Covid 19 crisis – I’m paranoid about this virus!  

 

The worse thing for me about my anxiety and fear – it’s all about my health. It’s triggered by thinking I’m getting sick,  fearing I might die, or feeling I don’t have control of my environment.

 

Having watched so many videos on social media on the coronavirus (true or not), being in quarantine and not really knowing the whole picture or how this will end, my mind and fears are out of control.

 

I explained how I felt to Eileen and she prescribed a remedy for me – and it has made a world of difference!

 

I feel so much better since taking it.  I’m not worrying, I’m not obsessively going over the what-ifs, and if I sneeze, I don’t think I’m going to die.

 

It’s been a lifesaver for me as we go through this stressful time in our lives”. 

Alice, USA

If you would like my support to help relieve your anxiety and stress right now, I’d be delighted to help. You can book an appointment here.  

The Impact of Stress On Our Immune System

When we are in a state of fright or flight and operate in stress mode, our immunity falls to the bottom of our body’s to-do list as the mind and body focus on fighting the perceived threat at hand. Remember our stress can cause this same survival reaction in others, (like in the chicken example above). 

At this time we need our bodies to access rest and digest mode. This happens when we reduce and regulate stress and anxiety levels. We may need to actively promote this state of relaxation consciously by resting, deep breathing, or meditating. Or we can use other therapies such as homeopathy to help us more rapidly achieve a natural balance if we find it difficult to achieve by ourselves.  Our bodies can then focus on functions that aid our immunity, one of which is sleep. To achieve our most restorative sleep we need to feel relaxed in our mind-body system. Thankfully there are homeopathic remedies we can use to help. 

Homeopathic Remedies for Stress and Anxiety 

Every person reacts differently to anxiety and fear, so in Homeopathy, a remedy is selected for each person’s specific needs and reaction to stress. Case by case treatment can be determined by how, where and even when symptoms present themselves. Different personality types are also considered! As one remedy doesn’t fit all, I’d like to provide an overview of two example homoeopathic remedies that I might use in my practice to support individuals who are struggling to manage anxiety and stress. (If you would like me to prescribe a remedy specific to your needs to help rapidly relieve your anxiety do get in touch. You can book a consultation here.)

Remedy 1: Arsenicum Album 

If you are tense and are prone to extreme anxiety about your health and that of your loved ones, fret over the unknown (especially in the areas of household/financial security), or need to pay extreme attention to detail and are a perfectionist, you may benefit from a remedy called Arsenicum album. Other indicators that this could be a suitable remedy for you include: 

• Fear having an incurable disease and death
• Feeling anxiety in the pit of your stomach or chest
• Fear being poisoned from bad food or pollution
• Fear being alone and burglars
• Constant pacing and restlessness
• Intolerance of disorder
• Being demanding and critical, especially when unwell
• Fear losing control  
• Show signs of compulsive behaviours or constant rechecking
• Unable to rest when things are not in their proper place 
• Needing the company and reassurance of others
• Anxiety worsens after midnight
• Experience burning pains which are better for heat (except the headaches)
• Suffer from great weakness and exhaustion when ill
• Are chilly and are affected by cold temperatures 
• Feeling thirsty for sips of water 

In general, you are confident and in control of your life but fall prey to extreme anxiety and stress after a series of challenging life experiences. ***

Remedy 2: Calcarea Carbonica

Like Arsenicum, there is deep anxiety about health and that of your family, but there is a craving for protection, security and stability for someone who may benefit from a remedy known as Calcarea Carbonica. They are great worriers, very sensitive, cautious and often feel overwhelmed. Safety and routine are paramount. Other indicators that this could be a suitable remedy for you include: 

• Extreme fear of disaster
• Anxious when things are left unfinished
• Worries when things don’t go according to plan
• Feeling uncomfortable with change or new things and get security with routine and the familiar
• A need for order and fear of contagion drives household neatness
• A need to make lists
• Being greatly affected by cruelty or hearing sad stories
• Fear having an incurable disease, cancer and death
• Fear of darkness and insanity
• When ill becoming introspective and tend to be mildly depressed 

In general, while you are easy-going, you find it hard or overwhelming when your routine is interrupted, and withdrawal is often your coping mechanism during times of stress and anxiety. On one end of the scale, your feelings of anxiety may present as anger and unresponsiveness on the other. ***

Another client explains how homeopathic remedies helped ease her anxiety.

“I’m not panicking anymore and I’m sleeping better. My IBS symptoms have also improved!”
Amanda, Dublin

Book an Appointment 

I am so proud to offer homeopathy services with safe, effective, and fast-acting remedies to our global clients that help ease anxiety and stress. I practice worldwide online via video call using Skype/Facetime or Whatsapp.

If you would like to discover how homeopathy can help you to manage your stress and anxiety, book your appointment today! 

Important Notice

The governments and health services around the world have informed us of the individual actions we need to take to protect people – physical distancing, washing your hands, considerate hygiene practices and staying at home. Our roles as individuals is clear – hygiene, prevention and minimising social contact.

Information given is not intended as a replacement for medical advice, governmental, health service or WHO guidelines etc.  It is vital to continue following the HSE guidelines about hand sanitising, social distancing, isolation and keep abreast of any further recommendations as updates come through.  There may be variations for different countries so please check with your relevant government and health bodies for up to date information.

***Remedies are prescribed on an individualised basis and there are many possible options. Please note only a small picture of the remedy is included here and for effective results, it is best to work with a homeopath to find a remedy specific to your needs.

Image Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/chicken-hen-free-running-animal-3727097/

Image Source: Chicken in the garden: Sinead Casserly – Thanks for sharing. 💕

      

Consultations available: Dublin, Ireland & Worldwide Via Video Call

Eileen Scullion of Homeopathy-Healing is a Registered Homeopath LicISH ISHom with the Irish Society of Homeopaths (The Regulatory Body for the Homeopathic Profession which is recognized by the Department of Health and Children and works on the National Working Group towards an integrated Health System).