Coping with an anxiety disorder is an on-going struggle that affects all areas of your life. There isn’t any miracle cure for severe anxiety, but a lifestyle change in the way you eat can significantly improve your anxiety disorder symptoms and improve your overall health.
Starting your day with a healthy serving of protein can help you feel fuller longer, maintain your blood sugar levels, and give you more energy to start the day off right. Less fatigue and irritability in turn helps reduce daily levels of anxiety and stress.
Carbohydrates are thought to increase the amount of serotonin in your brain, which has a calming effect. Eat foods that are rich in complex carbohydrates, such as quinoa, whole grains, oatmeal, and whole-grain cereals. Steer clear of foods that contain simple carbohydrates, such as sugary foods and drinks. Surgery foods cause your blood sugar levels to spike, and then crash, with can cause mood swings and contribute to anxiety
Drinking lots of water has a bevy of positive effects on your quality life, including when it comes to anxiety. Even mild dehydration has been proven to negatively impact your mood.
The immediate effect of alcohol may be calming. But as alcohol is processed by your body, it can make you edgy. Alcohol can also interfere with sleep, and sleep deprivation is directly linked to heightened anxiety. Alcohol also causes dehydration, with can effect mood.
Avoid caffeinated beverages. They can make you feel jittery and nervous and can interfere with sleep, all of which cause increased anxiety.
In some people, certain foods or food additives can cause unpleasant physical reactions. In certain people, these physical reactions may lead to shifts in mood, including irritability or anxiety. Individuals with gluten intolerance, for example, sometimes experience acute anxiety or panic attacks as a direct result of consuming gluten.
This is important for overall physical and mental health. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and don’t overeat. It may also help to eat fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, on a regular basis.