It's Very Important That You're Not Too Hard On Yourself

I decided to drastically cut down on my sugar intake, as well as wheat based products, as I found that they negatively affected my mood and also made me feel bloated. It’s different for each individual and must be assessed using your own thoughts and feelings and the observations of those around you. Wheat and food with high gluten content. Sugar in high amounts. Artificial additives. It’s also widely advised that you cut down on red meat, as well as foods containing high fructose. Furthermore, you need to understand that meal sizes, particularly those consisting of large portions, can dramatically affect a person’s mood. All of the listed foods have been linked to triggering the symptoms of anxiety and they notably have the ability to lower our overall mood. Wheat and sugar particularly affected my energy levels and digestion, but it’s all down to each individual and how their body reacts. For example, you may be affected by dairy products or eggs, but seem fine when eating other foods. We know that anxiety can cause us to assume the worst case scenario in a given situation. This is important to remember when seeing how our bodies react to foods.

Act Of Contrition

Perhaps you get stomach pain after drinking milk, so your anxious brain may assume that you’re lactose intolerant. Just because you have the symptoms of a food intolerance doesn’t mean you actually are permanently intolerant. It may just be anxiety. I recommend going to your general practitioner for a food intolerance test for assurance. These foods have all been linked to promoting increased mental health. If you’re like me and can’t resist eating animal meat, then try to stick to lean, white meats such as turkey and perhaps try to eat more fish. Experiment with your diet and record the benefits. This is particularly beneficial when our anxiety levels have improved and we want to continue our development. Caffeine can often be structured into our daily lives and relied upon as a means of providing instant energy. It is a highly addictive stimulant that the body can crave when intake is stopped or lowered. The aim, particularly with anxiety, is to slowly cut caffeine out of your diet until your anxiety becomes manageable or has subsided. I stress the importance of slowly, because those who have a high daily intake of caffeine are at risk of caffeine withdrawal.

This Bird Has Flown

Caffeine is a stimulant that increases agitation and anxiety. It’s also very acidic, which can lead to inflammation within the body. Caffeine is also a diuretic, which can lead to dehydration and worsen the other symptoms of anxiety. I often drank coffee and tea as a quick fix to wake up in the morning, or to give myself an afternoon boost to help me focus at work. What I didn’t realise was that it actually heightened the feeling of being anxious. We know that these are symptoms of anxiety that we’d much rather avoid. I strongly recommend aiming towards avoiding caffeine altogether and relying on healthier sources of energy such as fruit and high carbohydrate food. You must be patient when trying to rid yourself of anxiety. If you use patience, perseverance and an alternate life focus, then the anxiety will eventually leave. Do not rush it, but at the same time do not let anxiety define who you are. You need to be able to distinguish between what your true thoughts and beliefs are and that of those that are dictated by anxiety. However, when we’re feeling anxious, we could think about these same attributes in a more negative light.

Down All the Days

I think it’s very important that you’re not too hard on yourself when battling this condition. It’s ever too easy to be our own worst critic during anxiety, but you need to realise that you’re going through a lot of emotional trauma. There were many times where I thought I was doing well with regards to tackling my anxiety. I’d go weeks abiding by a routine that I knew was healthy for me and that I actually ended up engaging with. But there were times where I did feel anxious. I did feel the onset of a panic attack. However, I acknowledged that it was simply anxiety trying to creep back in. It did get me down at times and on the odd occasion I felt like crumbling and accepting the label of being an anxious wreck. I persevered though and I insist that you do the same. So don’t whirl up in a panic, or dwell on a depressive state if you feel your anxiety is troubling you. Always focus on the positives and constantly check on how far you’ve come. I fully believe that everyone with an anxiety disorder can overcome it. You must believe in that too. Group all of your worries under one umbrella and tackle them as one singular problem. The affect of your bodily chemicals have little connection to the outcomes of the outside world. Try and stick it out. Do what you would usually do and keep your mind busy! You’ll find that those who care and love you will accept it in their own way and give you the space, time and patience you need to deal with the problem. This is great at relieving any pressures amounting in your social life. There is no ’miracle thought’ that can cure all of your ailments. Anxiety and panic forces us to do this. Use positive rationalisation to realise that it’s probably the anxiety, not your true beliefs. You’ll only place more importance on the issue and make it become a more frightening prospect. Share your thoughts, feelings, progress and experiences with others, regardless of what they think. Believe me on this one. I do feel telling my story is helpful though, as it provides you with an idea about what I went through with my battle with anxiety. My anxiety first started when I left University and was left heavily in debt. It’s a winner!