Studies have shown that having a healthy diet may reduce signs and symptoms of anxiety. Whether you choose to believe it or not, you can relieve tension and manage stress better by what you do and do NOT eat. Changing up weight loss may be crucial to live an anxiety-free life.
Everyone experiences anxiety, it’s actually OK! In fact, being unable to do so can be a sign of a serious psychological problem. In our hazardous world, anxiety is a strategy the body uses to help the mind recognize danger and keep it out of our way. As with most mental illnesses, it’s not the presence of anxiety alone that creates problems. It is more about how severe it is and how much it gets in one’s way of life or quality of living. Most people feel anxious at some time in their lives. However, only about five per cent of people experience severe anxiety and rarely seek professional help. Anxiety is a mixture of physical and mental symptoms. They are part of what psychologists call the “fight or flight” response.
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. It helps one deal with a tense situation, maybe family or work related. In general, it helps you cope with the tasks and demands of everyday life. But when anxiety becomes an excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations, it can become a disabling disorder. Fortunately, effective treatments for anxiety disorders are available, and research is always sharing new and improved therapies that can help most people with anxiety disorders in order to live productive and more fulfilling lives. Studies now show that having a healthy diet may reduce signs and symptoms of anxiety. Although food cannot cure an anxiety disorder, below are 5 things that a severely anxious person can benefit from:
Avoid or limit caffeine intake as much as possible. Caffeine is present in many soft drinks,
not just in tea and coffee and it can set up its own vicious cycle. It can speed up heart rate and disrupt sleep — which over time can become a sign of anxiety. Trying to overcome being tired by drinking more caffeine only makes the long-term problem worse.
Avoid TOO much alcohol. Alcohol can definitely worsen the symptoms of anxiety, and disrupt sleep. Many people reach for a drink to calm their nerves, but the consequences of overdoing it can outweigh the benefits of initial relaxation. For some, a hangover, insomnia, and dehydration make you feel worse than before you had a drink. In excessive amounts, alcohol can actually act as a depressant, making the drinker feel sluggish or more anxious. Alcohol, like a simple sugar, is rapidly absorbed by the body. Like other sugars, alcohol increases hypoglycemia symptoms. It also causes mood swings. (Dang it! I know…but remember, everything in moderation 😊)
Eat “complex” carbs when eating any carbs. When stressed, a lot of people EAT. Emotional eating is very common, I get it, we all do it. And while yes, it is comforting, try and eat good carbs vs. sugary simple carbs. More complex carbs act as a mild tranquilizer by increasing the amount of serotonin, calming the brain. Complex carbs such as fruits, veggies and whole grains take longer to digest than sugary simple carbs like white bread. Complex carbs will allow you to stay fuller longer and your blood sugar is likely to stay steady, eliminating stress and anxiety.
Be sure to drink eight or more glasses of water a day. Dehydration can lead to fatigue,
headaches and stress. One should be well-hydrated and drinking lots of water! It is one of the easiest ways during the day to decrease symptoms of anxiety.
Take multivitamins and mineral supplements. B vitamins- FOR SURE! Vitamin B unlocks the energy in food! Vitamin B-6 helps produce serotonin in the brain. Choose a daily supplement that provides 100% of the daily recommendation of all vitamins and minerals. Although tension and daily stresses are unavoidable, one can relieve tension and manage stress and anxiety better by watching out for what you eat and more importantly what you DON’T eat!
If you are struggling at all with stress or anxiety, try to get yourself into a more active lifestyle. Get those endorphins going and ultimately YOU and your energy level. At SRF we are stronger together! We are making things happen! There are many options to participate in weight loss and fit challenges as well as in-studio classes and online in the privacy of your own home. Please take a look at all the monthly benefits we offer. As your Coach, I would love to provide you a free consultation to talk about which program is best for you based on the classes you enjoy!
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