Are you stressed?

Anxiety is becoming more and more prevalent in the world today. Unfortunately with every generation, percentages rise. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 3 globally suffers from anxiety, and many of those people are children and young adults. What is Anxiety and how can we deal with it?

What is anxiety?

Although it’s common, many people don’t know what anxiety entails, and because of this, many go undiagnosed and misunderstood. There are many types of anxiety but it can be categorized into a couple different main types. The common denominator of all of these disorders however, is a lurking feeling of worry or fear that is not easily controlled dismissed. It can cause headaches, trouble concentrating, sleeplessness, fatigue, mood swings, among many other things. There are different ways to treat anxiety and it is possible to deal with it without using medication by controlling your lifestyle. Some effective ways to limit anxiousness involve: regular exercise, sleep, and a nutritious diet. You can expel bad toxins and nervous energy by working out regularly and making sure what goes into your body is good for you. Your gut health has a huge impact on how the rest of your body functions and so by eating certain types of foods you can actually reduce the severity of your anxiety*.

*We are not doctors, seek a medical professional if your anxiety is extremely severe and preventing you from functioning in daily life, or causing suicidal thoughts/actions.

**Some main types of anxiety include*:**

General Anxiety Disorder

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety

Panic Disorder

Phobias

Agoraphobia

Can Foods Lower Anxiety?

The answer is yes! Although food cannot miraculously cure all anxiety and panic disorders, there are types of foods that can help lower levels of anxiety and increase “happy hormones.”

Some foods you can incorporate into your daily life include:

Salmon: Salmon contains amino acids and nutrients that aid your brain health including vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids. Studies have also demonstrated that those acids can regulate dopamine and serotonin levels, resulting in a calming effect. In addition salmon’s nutrients can reduce inflammation, and help your brain deal with stress triggers and prevent the development of brain disorders such as anxiety.
Chamomile: Chamomile is a well known plant that is mainly used in tea as a calming, soothing drink. It’s high levels of antioxidants help control inflammation levels. The main antioxidant found in chamomile is called Pigenin, which is found to bind to specific receptors in your brain. They help calm and relax you, which results in reducing anxiety levels and making you sleepy. *
Turmeric: Turmeric is known for having many health benefits and most of them are a result of a compound in the root called Curcumin. This compound plays a huge role in decreasing inflammation in the body, which is believed to be a big factor in anxiety. It also helps increase blood antioxidant levels, which helps with circulation and oxygen levels in the body.
Dark Chocolate: This one is my favorite, for obvious reasons, it’s a good reason to eat chocolate! What makes dark chocolate different is that it contains flavonols, or types of antioxidants that help brain functionality. They increase blood flow to the brain and help the mind adapt to stressful situations, resulting in less anxiety. Also studies have shown eating dark chocolate boosts levels of serotonin (one of the happy hormones).
Yogurt: Yogurt is a gut improving food. Yogurt contains probiotics that help your healthy gut bacteria grow and flourish, leading to healthy operating brains and response to stress. In new studies, scientists have discovered that certain components of yogurt can cause our body to inhibit certain neurotoxins that cause damage to brain tissue. But not all yogurt contains probiotics, so make sure to check that your yogurt has “live cultures” in the ingredients.
Plant Based foods: Anything plant based is going to be good for you, since you’re eating food with fewer chemicals and less processed or modified. Plants have essential vitamins that our bodies thrive on and help repair cells and tissues. You can’t go wrong with eating what the earth gives us!

The bottom line is: even though foods will not completely eradicate anxiety, you can take steps to limit the amount you feel! Don’t worry, you’re not alone!