In this recording of our Conscious Conversations series, I share some tips and guidance on how to respond to and deal with anxiety from my perspective as a Naturopathic Nutritionist and Kinesiologist.
We recorded these videos in 2021, but you’ll find much of the advice is just as relevant now!
Skip the video to 9:10 in the video to hear me talk about:
Keep Hydrated
Once we’re stressed and anxious, we are already dehydrated. This can set off a pattern and repeating loop, where we might make unhelpful and unsupportive choices to mitigate the feelings of anxiety, panic, stress and worry. We might find we are turning to sugar, caffeine, alcohol or fatty, salty foods and indulging in habits that keep the stress cycle going such as binge watching telly late at night in an attempt to distract from the uncomfortable feelings of anxiety and stress.
Drinking plenty of plain water and staying hydrated, helps your body to function in a way that
naturally responds to the physical, biological stress responses.
Replace Lost Magnesium
When we are dehydrated, we are loosing magnesium from the body. Often with anxiety, people may find they have low levels of magnesium in their body.
Magnesium is a really important mineral that we all need for our health and especially to support our body in coping with stress, anxiety and good, restorative sleep. Magnesium is essential for our energy and it’s really good for supporting our muscles. Eating leafy green vegetables can provide a regular whole food dose of magnesium but bear in mind, much of the soil in which our vegetables are grown, is no longer rich in magnesium. So, most of us could do with a little help from supplements, either as part of a multivitamin or for someone who has been suffering with severe anxiety for some time, I might suggest a single higher dose until balance is restored.
Improve your bedtime routine and take an Epsom Salt Bath
Another great way to increase magnesium levels is to take an Epsom Salt Bath. Taking a warm bath before bed also has the added benefit of relaxing any tense muscles and can form part of your evening routine to unwind and detach from the concerns of your day. The magnesium in the Epsom Bath Salts absorbs very well into the skin.
You can see my simple Epsom Salt Bath guide here.
Check food sensitivities
Food sensitivities could be contributing to anxiety, so it’s worth exploring that.
Sleep Routines
Explore meditation, mindfulness or yoga. An hour before bed, switch off devices and take time away from stimulating activities. Try to get to bed before midnight.
Recognising and taking action to address emotional or psychological trauma.
If I think that psychotherapy or some other kind of counselling or therapy intervention may help my clients, I’ll always recommend this along with any nutritional support I might suggest.
All of my work with clients is based specifically on their individual body, mind and life circumstances. Increased exercise might work really well for one person to help disperse excess anxious energy, whereas for a person with a back problem or a heart condition, strenuous exercise should be carefully planned and monitored. There is no one size fits all/cookie cutter solution that will work for everyone.
Get in touch for a complementary call if you’d like to talk through any of your own, specific concerns.
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