Anxiety is an emotion that everyone feels at some stage, just like any emotion. It can however become out of hand, causing issues in your daily life. Anxiety occurs when the body is constantly producing a stress hormone called cortisol, causing chronic overstimulation. This imbalance causes the body to constantly be in ‘fight or flight’ mode, ready to go at the slightest provocation. This would be okay if we were running from a sabre tooth tiger, but apart from being highly unlikely in the modern world, this constant on mode can severely disrupt the pattern of our everyday lives.
Some symptoms include:
Insomnia
Weight loss or gain
Depression
Fatigue
Headache
Upset stomach
Diarrhoea
Irritabilty
Emotional – crying or shaking
Panic attacks can also occur, where there may be rapid breathing, clammy sweaty hands, dizziness, feelings of blacking out, rapid heart beat.
Anxiety is exacerbated by:
Consumption of stimulants such as coffee, tea and energy drinks. When we are anxious our nervous system is already in over drive, so adding extra stimulants creates more nervous tension and exhausts our body.
Negative thinking patterns – try to use mindfulness thinking and positive affirmations in order to help manage your stress and anxiety.
Dietary inclusions
Quality protein – protein is needed every day in order to build our neurotransmitters and hormones that protect our mental health. Quality sources of protein include lean meats, eggs, nuts and seeds, lentils, legumes and wholegrains.
Nuts, seeds and wholegrains – These foods feed the nervous system and contain high amounts of magnesium, calcium and B vitamins.
Green leafy vegetables also contain Calcium, Magnesium, B vitamins and many other vitamins and minerals that we need for health.
Vitamin C rich foods to increase cortisol clearance – berries, kiwi, oranges, mango….
Dietary exclusions
It’s important to avoid all stimulants because your body is already overstimulated. This includes caffeine in coffee and tea, excessive chocolate, energy drinks and sugar – alcohol and drugs also need to be avoided at this time due to adverse effects.
Also avoid fatty foods such as takeaways and convenience foods, as well as high sugar processed foods. These types of foods create stress in your digestive system, and do not offer any nourishment for your body or brain.
Lifestyle advice to manage anxiety
Daily exercise – walking, dancing, yoga, pilates, swimming .
Meditation – 5 to 10 minutes before bed each night.
Using positive affirmations
Progressive muscle relaxation exercises
Restful sleep – 7 to 8 hours per night
Deep breathing in the diaphragm – this excites our parasympathetic nervous system
which takes care of rest and recovery.
Practice mindful thinking – taking yourself out of your anxiety thoughts and into the
present moment.
How can Naturopathy help with my anxiety?
There are many ways in which naturopathic medicine can help with your anxiety. Herbal medicine can be used to calm and nourish the nervous system, taking away the over stimulated state. Specific nutrients can be prescribed for neurotransmitter function, and diet and lifestyle advice can be given which will help you to manage your anxiety in the long term. Speak to your naturopath today about managing your anxiety levels.
Some symptoms include:
Insomnia
Weight loss or gain
Depression
Fatigue
Headache
Upset stomach
Diarrhoea
Irritabilty
Emotional – crying or shaking
Panic attacks can also occur, where there may be rapid breathing, clammy sweaty hands, dizziness, feelings of blacking out, rapid heart beat.
Anxiety is exacerbated by:
Consumption of stimulants such as coffee, tea and energy drinks. When we are anxious our nervous system is already in over drive, so adding extra stimulants creates more nervous tension and exhausts our body.
Negative thinking patterns – try to use mindfulness thinking and positive affirmations in order to help manage your stress and anxiety.
Dietary inclusions
Quality protein – protein is needed every day in order to build our neurotransmitters and hormones that protect our mental health. Quality sources of protein include lean meats, eggs, nuts and seeds, lentils, legumes and wholegrains.
Nuts, seeds and wholegrains – These foods feed the nervous system and contain high amounts of magnesium, calcium and B vitamins.
Green leafy vegetables also contain Calcium, Magnesium, B vitamins and many other vitamins and minerals that we need for health.
Vitamin C rich foods to increase cortisol clearance – berries, kiwi, oranges, mango….
Dietary exclusions
It’s important to avoid all stimulants because your body is already overstimulated. This includes caffeine in coffee and tea, excessive chocolate, energy drinks and sugar – alcohol and drugs also need to be avoided at this time due to adverse effects.
Also avoid fatty foods such as takeaways and convenience foods, as well as high sugar processed foods. These types of foods create stress in your digestive system, and do not offer any nourishment for your body or brain.
Lifestyle advice to manage anxiety
Daily exercise – walking, dancing, yoga, pilates, swimming .
Meditation – 5 to 10 minutes before bed each night.
Using positive affirmations
Progressive muscle relaxation exercises
Restful sleep – 7 to 8 hours per night
Deep breathing in the diaphragm – this excites our parasympathetic nervous system
which takes care of rest and recovery.
Practice mindful thinking – taking yourself out of your anxiety thoughts and into the
present moment.
How can Naturopathy help with my anxiety?
There are many ways in which naturopathic medicine can help with your anxiety. Herbal medicine can be used to calm and nourish the nervous system, taking away the over stimulated state. Specific nutrients can be prescribed for neurotransmitter function, and diet and lifestyle advice can be given which will help you to manage your anxiety in the long term. Speak to your naturopath today about managing your anxiety levels.
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