It seems like more and more people these days have a tough time managing anxiety. It’s everywhere, and hitting Women harder than ever.
In fact, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America defines anxiety disorders as the most common mental illness in America.
Something, somewhere, is off.
The pressures of life today are so different from those just a generation or two ago. Sure, we have bigger houses, more possessions, and more education and job choice. But on the flip side we suffer from nutritional deficiencies from depleted soil and processed food. We deal with so many more modern stressors like toxins, electronics, and being indoors too much.
In order to look closer at reducing anxiety, we need to know a little more about where it may be coming from.
STRESS
Stress is one of the biggest causes, as well as contributors for many Women who deal with anxiety.
Symptoms that you may have a stress hormone imbalance:
•Brain fog, lack of focus, mood swings, depression, anxiety
•Low thyroid function.
•Dysglycemia (blood sugar swinging up and down)
•Morning and mid-afternoon fatigue (and overall fatigue).
•Sleep disruption – can’t get to sleep and/or waking up in the middle of the night and unable to fall back asleep
•Digestive and intestinal issues
•Backaches and headaches
•Weight gain, especially around the middle
•Low libido
•Possible low testosterone and/or progesterone and excess estrogen
•Poor immune function
•Cravings for sweet or salty food
Ok, so what does this all mean for anxiety?
Increased stress hormones = increased anxiety
Your body is just so stressed that in doesn’t know what to do. Anxiety spikes because your body is just overwhelmed.
Increased stress hormones = Nutrient deficiencies
When stress is up, digestion is turned off. It’s just what your body does when it’s under stress.
When digestion is off, you aren’t getting the nutrients you need, and your hormones won’t get the building blocks they need.
Your body will not be able to produce your hormones correctly.
This means hormone mix-up all over the place, which means HUGE mood swings, anxiety and crankiness!
Another HUGE factor here is iron levels.
If your digestion isn’t working well, then iron is one nutrient that can be depleted.
Low iron levels are very highly linked to anxiety. Your brain isn’t getting the oxygen it needs, so it panics, and anxiety can spike.
Also, if that wasn’t enough…
Your gut produces about 70% of your ‘happy hormone’ serotonin. If your gut isn’t happy, your serotonin levels will drop too, leaving more in the way of mood swings and anxiety.
Here are 3 foods that can help support your body and reduce anxiety:
Avocado
(check out THIS recipe for chocolate avocado pudding)
- High in good fats to build healthy hormones
- Helps your body use serotonin
- Contain plant sterols that will reduce inflammation – to keep anxiety away!
- High in fiber that will bind to excess estrogen and help your body get rid of it, which can help with anxiety levels.
- High in folate – a mood regulator
Dark Chocolate {70% or higher}
- Yum, yum, yum!
- Great antioxidant – great for your brain
- High in magnesium
- Triggers serotonin
- A hormone enhancer
Salmon
(Check out THIS yummy salmon recipe)
- Salmon is packed with nutrients, including omega 3’s, magnesium & vitamin B6 – all are mood boosters, and can help with anxiety.
- Omega 3 will increase your concentration, memory & control mood swings, as well as can calm anxiety.
In conclusion – anxiety can be debilitating – it can control your life, and feel like you have nowhere to turn.
If you want to know more about what you can do – check out this mini-course all about the steps you CAN take, and take back some control when it comes to anxiety.
