October 18 | By TATH Team
With the increased demands that individuals face on a daily basis, it comes as no surprise that anxiety and anxiety-related disorders are becoming more prevalent. Anxiety can take on many forms and might include excessive worrying about a career, relationships, financial obligations, health, or overall responsibilities. In severe cases, anxiety can become debilitating and interfere with a person’s ability to live a normal life or complete ordinary tasks.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. That’s 40 million adults — 19.1 percent of the population — who struggle with anxiety. Anxiety can be effectively managed through traditional approaches, such as medication, mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy. Recently, the researchers have also come up with certain food choices that can help alleviate anxiety.
Connection between food and mood
Perhaps a lesser-known way of coping with and managing anxiety is through nutrition and properly nourishing the body. Eating a diet that provides essential nutrients helps keep the body balanced and enhances overall physical wellbeing. A poor diet can result in nutritional deficiencies, which can contribute to a decreased ability to regulate mood, low energy, and increased risk of developing sickness. In conjunction with other conventional approaches, dietary regulation can be a natural way to reduce and control anxiety episodes.
Many specific nutrients are connected with energy production and mood control. For example, B vitamins, are known to enhance energy while steadying the nervous system. These are found in many foods, including green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts, eggs, and citrus foods. Other essential elements that can help alleviate anxiety are fatty acids. These healthy fats help balance mood and decrease depression and anxiety. Excellent food sources of essential fatty acids include salmon, flaxseeds, walnuts, chia seeds, and tuna.
Having a healthier diet can begin with making small changes, such as increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables, eating a variety of whole grains, cooking more meals at home, and eating regular and consistent amounts of food throughout the day. Reducing the intake of caffeine, processed foods, and refined sugars can also be important towards improving diet, mood, and overall health.
Things like fried foods, high glycemic carbs, sugar and alcoholic beverages can play an important role in aggravating anxiety. Having a lot of these food items can stir anxiety levels. It is better to avoid such foods. For instance, somebody having panic attacks should avoid coffee because it can increase the heart rate and may trigger an attack.
Foods that can help alleviate anxiety
Though understanding how different foods affect the mind and the body is important, studies have proved that consuming certain foods helps in fighting anxiety. Eating these healthy and beneficial food items can help cure anxiety. Here is a list of food items that benefit in anxiety:
Tackling anxiety
Anxiety is a major public health problem and is more prevalent than people assume. If left untreated, it can exacerbate into bigger problems and other psychological disorders. Early intervention is the best solution.
If you or a loved one is battling mental health disorders or an anxiety disorder and is looking for a licensed anxiety treatment center, then get in touch with the Anxiety Treatment Help. Call our 24/7 helpline 866 487-5015 and speak to a member of our team. You can also chat online to a representative for more information on anxiety disorder treatment.
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