What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal human emotion that creates feelings of dread, overwhelm, worry and exhaustion. It’s a protective emotion that helps you sense fear and move to safety, and with the right natural support, it can be better understood and managed. Anxiety is welcomed when it is situational, meaning, in response to a worrying situation or threat. The issue with anxiety is that when the situation passes, the anxiety stays and hangs around, feeling stuck. This can result in a constant, low-grade, daily worry that wears you down over time.
What does chronic anxiety do to our bodies?
When anxiety dominates for too long, it can lead to inflammation, digestive issues, nutrient depletion, sleeplessness, hormone imbalances and depression! It can make life feel like a constant struggle.
How can Naturopathy help?
We call upon herbs that match the goals we are working on. Common herbs I use with anxiety are Ashwagandha, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Passionflower, and St. John’s Wort. It’s important to note that these herbs are not suited for everyone, and best prescribed by a Naturopath to ensure they are effective.
Herbs don’t enter the body and instantly fix everything—they’re gentle and restorative. They work by reminding the body of what it already knows but may have forgotten.
What foods can be helpful?
Food is a medicine that signals safety to your body. GABA, the calming brain chemical that tells you the stress has passed, is made from the nutrients in the food you eat. A diet high in good quality protein, fruits and vegetables is a wonderful place to start. You are literally eating the ingredients your body needs to re-learn how to calm again.
Some foods can also trigger anxiety. Folic acid in baked goods, artificial additives like colours, flavours and preservatives are often too much for the body to process, and can create a physical stress in the body. MSG and yeast extract—found in savoury, umami-flavoured snacks like Doritos, KFC, chicken salt, and (sorry to say) Vegemite—are common culprits.
Stimulants like energy drinks, caffeine, and alcohol can spike your stress hormones, putting more pressure on an already overworked body and keeping anxiety stuck.
By increasing GABA-rich foods, reducing anxiety-triggering additives, and incorporating calming herbs, you can make a big impact on your mental well-being.
See how you go in implementing some of these strategies, and if you need some extra support, come and see the Team at The Wellness Road. We would love to support you!
