Anxiety and Diet
Are you pouring your fifth cup of coffee already? If so, it’s not too surprising that you anxieties are getting the best of you and the things which cause most people only a little stress like moving, starting a new job, having a child and so on are causing you total paralysis. A poor diet and excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol can trigger anxiety attacks and exacerbate existing anxiety issues. You can reduce your anxiety by making some simple lifestyle changes.
Anxiety is brought on by several causes but understanding the link between your diet-drink habits and anxiety can help you control your anxiety levels. Take that coffee-drinking habit of yours; coffee contains caffeine, a powerful stimulant that gives you an adrenalin rush. Just imagine what that fourth cup of coffee is doing to your body!
Too much coffee or alcohol causes a biochemical imbalance in the body. Too many cups of coffee and alcohol jolt the nervous system into a tizzy. You become over alert and when the effect of the drug-like effect of methylxanthines (a stimulant) wears down, you are plunged into a nervous state, which sometimes can bring on panic attacks. Try going through the day without coffee, you will be less tired and emotionally calm.
Alcohol is of course a depressant. Again, there is elation at first, followed by a fatigued, often anxious state. You should reduce or eliminate your alcohol intake if you want to reduce the frequency and severity of your anxiety attacks. It’s fine to have a drink or two on occasion, but if alcohol tends to cause you to become more anxious, then it should be avoided altogether. Make sure to drink enough water every day; dehydration causes your moods to destabilize and can also set off anxiety or panic attacks.
Eating smaller levels can also keep your anxiety under control. This keeps your blood sugar level steady; start with breakfast since this kicks off your metabolism for the day. Choose a healthy diet with lots of fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains. A healthy diet boosts your serotonin levels, which gives you a sense of well-being and calm.
You should also incorporate tryptophan-rich foods into your diet. This amino acid is necessary for the production of melatonin and serotonin, which regulate moods and help you get restful sleep. Foods which are good sources of tryptophan include nuts, bananas, oats, dairy products, soy-based foods and poultry.
Fiber is also an important part of a healthy diet which helps to fight anxiety. Getting plenty of fiber in your diet keeps your blood sugar levels properly regulated. Women going through menopause should make sure to get plenty of calcium to alleviate fatigue, depression and irritability. You may want to avoid foods which seem to trigger mood swings in many people, including eggs, dairy products, shellfish, wheat, nuts and corn.
Keep your salt intake low. Your body naturally makes potassium and sodium from other dietary sources and a diet which is high in salt increases your sodium levels, which leads to water retention and increases blood pressure. Excessive sodium intake also causes irritability and mood swings in many, so steer clear of high-sodium foods, especially junk food. Refined sugars and artificial sweeteners should also be avoided; these ingredients can exacerbate anxiety and make panic attacks worse.
Your diet has a lot of bearing on your overall anxiety level and a good diet can make anxiety attacks less frequent and less severe. However, if your anxiety is getting the best of you, see a doctor for their advice.
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