Calming Anxiety Holistically
Is your teen struggling with feelings of anxiety? You're not alone. On today's episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, I'm diving into this common challenge with my good friend and neighbor, Karen Janson. Karen is a doTERRA wellness advocate and an incredible resource for a holistic approach that goes beyond the usual advice.
The Four Pillars of Wellness
Karen, who spent 14 years on her own health journey to overcome an issue doctors couldn't diagnose, knows firsthand how empowering it is to find the root cause of health challenges. The Wellness Lifestyle Pyramid is designed to address those root causes in a structured way.
The pyramid is built on four levels, from the foundational base to the top:
Nutrition and Digestion
Movement and Metabolism
Resting and Managing Stress
Reducing Toxicity
Karen emphasizes that each level builds on the last. If the foundation isn't optimal, it's best to focus there first.
Starting at the Base: Nutrition and Digestion
This foundational level is crucial, especially for teens and tweens who struggle with anxiety. Karen points out the strong gut-brain connection and believes a disrupted gut microbiome—often from frequent antibiotic use—is a major reason so many kids today struggle with anxious feelings.
Beyond just eating vegetables, this level is about micronutrients and what our bodies are actually absorbing. A deficiency in even one or two key nutrients can throw off our body’s ability to function optimally, leading to mood swings and hormonal imbalances. Karen suggests that digestive enzymes can be a simple, powerful tool to ensure the body absorbs the nutrients it needs.
The Power of Movement and Rest
The next level is Movement and Metabolism. We all know exercise can profoundly change our state of mind. Studies have even shown that regular exercise can be as effective as antidepressants. While it takes work and discipline, prioritizing physical activity can be one of the most powerful things we do for our mental health.
Next is Resting and Managing Stress. As I learned from Dr. Matthew Walker’s book, Why We Sleep, not all sleep is created equal. Teens need quality, restorative sleep, not just quantity. Karen highlights simple steps like reducing blue light before bed, using blue light blocking glasses during the day, and creating a prepared schedule to minimize stress.
For extra support, Karen recommends essential oils. The doTERRA Adaptive blend, which I also love, is a great example. By placing a drop in your palm, cupping your hands over your nose, and taking a few deep breaths, you can use the power of the olfactory nerve—which is linked to the brain’s limbic system—to help shift your mood and calm your nervous system.
The Often-Overlooked Top: Reducing Toxicity
The final level of the pyramid is Reducing Toxicity. Karen's own health journey taught her that a high toxic burden can be a root cause for chronic struggles. We are constantly bombarded with toxins from our cleaning products, beauty products, food, and even air fresheners and candles.
Karen recommends starting with one area to reduce exposure. For teens, a great starting point is personal care products like lotions, which are absorbed directly through the skin. Another easy win is switching out air fresheners and plugins for essential oil diffusers. These small changes can have a far-reaching impact on our mood, hormones, and overall well-being.
Ready to start your own wellness journey?
Listen to the full episode with Karen Janson on The Positively Healthy Mom podcast wherever you get your podcasts. You can also find Karen and her team at inspirenaturally.com to learn more about doTERRA's wellness products and start your path to a healthier life.
