Anxiety is an emotional feeling characterized by worry, fear, stress, and pressure triggered by a situation or a normal routine activity. Occasional anxiety is normal in everybody. It is natural to feel tensed before an interview, before writing a test or when you are anticipating the result of a medical test.
Facing a dangerous situation or uncomfortable situations triggers a chemical reaction in the body, this reaction is what is known as the adrenaline rush. It is characterized by goosebumps, fear, profuse sweating, and increased heartbeat. When this feeling of nervousness is limited to dangerous situations and an occasional situation like giving a public speech, then it is normal. This persistent feeling of worry or nervousness that begins to affect daily activities is, however, a situation that requires medical assistance. A persistent feeling of anxiety is known as an Anxiety disorder.
The most common symptoms of anxiety disorder are:
- Nervousness / Restlessness: You may be suffering from an anxiety disorder if you feel restless and nervous all the
- Reluctance to Go Out: You are suffering from anxiety disorder if you are always feeling reluctant and scared to go out of your
- Persistent Feelings of Worry: While it’s reasonable to worry about what the future holds, when you will finish college or when you will get your dream job, persistent worry that affects day to day activities is a sign of
- Heightened Irritability: You may be suffering from anxiety if you are always irritated or you get easily irritated.
- Concentration Difficulties: Having problems concentrating at school or at work is a sign of anxiety disorder.
- Sleep Disorders / Difficulties: Most people suffering from anxiety have problems getting sleep or sleeping for long.
- Fear of Social Acceptance or Rejection: Worrying too much about people’s conception about you is a symptom of anxiety disorder.
- Feel of Impending Doom: If you persistently feel danger is lurking or terror is around the corner, you need to seek help immediately.
- Profuse Sweating: If you sweat without doing much, you could be suffering from an anxiety
- Trembling: When you tremble without any cause or attack.
- Depression: Depression is a serious disease, and it could be as a result of anxiety..
There are many natural solutions to anxiety disorder. Yoga, exercise, proper diet, and meditation are cheap and natural solutions that have been used effectively in managing or relieving patients of anxiety. Of all the natural solutions to anxiety, the most important, food, is the one that is a constant in our daily life. Therefore, knowing foods that might bring unnecessary nervousness, agitation, and restlessness is the first and most crucial step in relieving you of the constant feeling of terror.
- Caffeine
Caffeine is a known psychoactive drug and stimulant with the power to keep you awake by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain. It takes up to 24hrs for caffeine to leave the body, so the coffee you drank in the morning could be preventing you from sleep at night. Reduce your coffee intake if you have a problem keeping your eyes shut at night.
- Alcohol
The intoxicating effect of alcohol could help you get to sleep at night when the intoxication wears off in the middle of the night. The other challenge that replaces it is the sick feeling, nausea, and dehydration, which can be a nightmare and worsen your anxiety.
- Salt
Too much salt has been associated with neurological problems, which could lead to weight problems, heart-related diseases, and sleeping disorders. Consuming salt in moderation will help keep anxiety in check.
- Sugar
Sugar must be consumed with moderation or avoided totally, accumulation of sugar can spike up the blood sugar level, which can lead to serious medical conditions that can worsen anxiety.
- Processed Food
Processed food contains one or more of, sugar, salt, flour, and additives, all of which will deteriorate your anxiety.
- Fried Food
When one fries meat, fish, potato, or any other food, they are difficult to digest because of the excess fat. It eventually degenerates into a metabolic problem, weight-related issues, and heart diseases. Feeding on fried foods will cause much damage to your health generally and ramp up your anxiety.
7.Diary
Lactose, the type of sugar found in dairy products can be challenging to digest for adults. Too much dairy products can worsen the symptoms of anxiety. Moderate intake of dairy products is very healthy, but too much of it is detrimental to our mental health.
- Energy Drinks
Energy drinks give a rush of energy to the body that could distort our sleeping pattern and cause insomnia, as well as other anxiety symptoms.
- Fast Food
Sugar, fat, sodium, flour, and additives that are exclusive contents of a typical fast food can worsen anxiety symptoms.
- Soda
Aspartame, the chemical substance used in the production of soda, has been linked with several anxiety symptoms like insomnia, headaches, and many more.
- Fruit Drinks
Excess sugar, in the form of fructose found in fruit juices, can upset metabolism and the nervous system. Substitute the fruit drinks for natural green fruits and improve your health.
- Fermented, Stale, or Cultured Food
While the protein found in meat and cheese are highly nutritious, fermented or cultured food is far less rich in protein. The protein in these types of food is broken down to biogenic amines, one of these amines known as histamine is a neurotransmitter that affects the digestive and nervous systems. These effects on the nervous and digestive systems can cause anxiety.
The occasional flow of adrenaline is normal when we encounter dangerous or panic situations. Persistent nervousness and restlessness is, however, a common hallmark of anxiety. A natural remedy like healthy diets, meditation, and exercise are the most effective. Consuming adequate type of foods is the most important of all these remedies. Sugary food, salty food, oily food, as well as alcoholic drinks, are the significant agents of anxiety in our everyday meal. Avoiding these types of food is the most effective way of improving anxiety disorders and avoiding ramping up your anxiety.
