With the holidays coming up, it is only natural to experience a bit of anxiety. Surprising enough, it can be brought on by a number of things. Anxiety can show it’s ugly face in the form of a panic attack, that may last anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour. Symptoms may include increased heat rate, difficulty breathing, feelings of being overwhelmed, chest pain, dizziness, nausea, shaking or not being able to think clearly.
Magnesium deficiency can lead to Anxiety Disorder. When it becomes chronic, the more one feels uneasy all the time, with tension with an inability to relax and may tend to overreact to small stresses.
Potential Causes Include:
- Food Allergies
- Poor Blood-sugar Control
- Caffeine, Alcohol, Drugs or Nicotine
- Nutrient Deficiencies
- Hyperthyroidism
- Depression
Action Plan:
Saturate your diet with numerous anti-stress nutrients; eat regularly throughout the day, Ideally Six Small Meals.
- Lots of Green Vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, pak choi, and kale.
- Whole Grains supply B Vitamins and Magnesium; both get used up during stress. Magnesium is necessary for nerve and muscle relaxation. Such as, Brown Rice, Oats and Quinoa.
- Foods high in calcium and magnesium calm the body. Wheat germ, Lentils, Nuts, Leafy Greens, Celery Lettuce, sesame Seeds and almonds.
- B Vitamins comfort the nerves. Foods like Mash Sweet Potatoes, Brown Rice, Natural Yogurt, Oatmeal, and Steamed Vegetables.
Stay Away From:
- Sugar, Alcohol, Nicotine, Caffeine and drugs, which stimulate the adrenal glands, this produces the stress hormones and blood sugar imbalances.
- Wheat allergies are common with mood disorders.
Supplements and Herbs:
- Ginkgo biloba tea lowers anxiety and increases nutrients to the brain.
- Sleep is necessary for normal stress reduction. Hops, passionflower, skullcap and lime flowers (may be found at health food stores) in the form of capsules before bed.
- Siberian ginseng helps reduce the feeling of stress or anxiety.
- The superfood spirulina can supply a full array of nutrients (also found in pill form at health food stores.) People who suffer from anxiety often test deficient in nerve-nourishing minerals and vitamins and tend to respond well to superfoods and supplements.
- Supplements with magnesium citrate, which is a natural muscle and nerve relaxant that gets used up during stress.
- Chromium picolinate keeps blood-sugar levels stable.
- By taking a B Vitamin Complex each morning helps in keeping the blood sugar in control. Don’t take them in the evening, they can be over energizing.
- Vitamin C for optimum adrenal function. East lots of fruits and berries for natural occurring vitamin C.
- Take niacinamide with meals to supply the nerves and calm the feeling of “jumpiness”.
- Gamma amino butyric acid (Gaba) can also ease the feeling of a panic attack.
Other Helps Include:
- Learn some relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises and listening to relaxing music, yoga, meditation, or tai chi.
- Take brisk walks, go dancing, or swim. Aim for 20 minutes at a time, at least.
- By eating small, regular meals and snacks, blood sugar stays stabilized.
