Is Your Anxiety at an All-Time High? You’re Not Alone

SUNDAY NIGHT:

Incoming text message: Would you like to cancel your anxiety subscription?

Me: YES

Incoming text message: **I meant amazon subscription?

Me: …No.  I need Amazon Prime to cope with my anxiety.

Incoming text message: Thanks for your reply!  Enjoy your subscriptions.  Stay positive, while continuing to test negative.

We need to find some type of humour through these times, or it can be a lot.  Saying that the last 2 years have been rough, is an understatement.

Yes – anxiety seems to be rampant right now. We are wasting our Sunday’s worrying about Monday, wasting our time off reading the news, worrying about the pandemic and trying to stay sane. It feels like it never ends.  Let’s make sure there is not an underlying root cause, that could potentially be heightening the anxiety.

A few things come to mind, that we need to ensure are running smoothly.  Is your thyroid functioning properly? Are your hormones getting the best of you? How is your sleep? Are you eating properly or enough?

For some patients, they may note a worsening of anxiety one to two weeks before their period.  This requires further investigation.

If you have tracked for 3 months and your finding that your anxiety is running high more often than around your period, here are some excellent anxiolytics to help cope.

We’d like you to meet our best friend, Magnesium.

Magnesium deficiencies are common, and can be a reason for why we’re seeing heightened anxiety.  Magnesium is known as the ‘relaxing mineral’, as most of its benefits are due to its ability to relax tight muscles.  Other signs of magnesium deficiency are usually a difficulty maintaining sleep, constipation, muscle cramping in feet, legs, as well as the racing thoughts with an anxious mind.

Keep in mind, the form of magnesium matters greatly.  We love the magnesium bis-glycinate for anxiety, as it also has the glycine component, a calming amino acid.

Have you meet l-theanine?

A component found in green tea extract, with benefits for reducing physiological signs of stress and anxiety.  Have you noticed coffee gives you anxiety, but you’re still needing that caffeine kick for your work day?  Switch over to a matcha green tea, and make note of the anxiolytic benefits of l-theanine.

There is no other herb as ‘passionate’ for tackling anxiety and improved sleep, quite like Passionflower.

Helpful for those who also have trouble falling asleep.

Lemon Balm tea, for the win.

You may see this tea, in combination with another herb like chamomile or lavender.  It is one of our best calming teas.

One of our long-time favourites, Lavender.

Lavender addresses the trio – anxiety, sleep and stress.  If you’re presenting with all 3 of these, you may benefit from Lavender.  Traditionally, we’ve used it in essential oil form by diffusing it, or in tea form.  There is a supplement we love for this, that makes lavender safe to take orally (do not put essential oils in your mouth – this is not safe).

The benefits of touch through hugging.

Out of all therapies for anxiety, these last three can arguably be the best / most needed.  A hug for 20 seconds or more, has the potential to release more oxytocin – the connection hormone.  It is also released while we’re breastfeeding, orgasming, and even looking into our dog or cats eyes, as we’re petting them.  Finding what works best for you, and doing more of that.  Which may mean, hugging those only in your COVID ‘bubble’ or joining a new community. Loneliness has been difficult for all of us during these times. Community and connection is one way to start building and fostering your social network to build that oh-so-important connection (even virtually).

Deep belly breathing, really does work wonders for anxiety.

Our breath can become rapid and shallow, when we’re in a state of panic or anxiety.  You likely have noticed this happen at some point.  Being cognizant of your breath, and encouraging deeper, slowed breaths during a time of heightened anxiety, is a great starting point.

Exercise is one of our most powerful medicines, for preventing an anxious mind.

This is another one of our favourites, and an important lifestyle change to be making.  This can be anything from getting outside for a 20 minute walk, weight lifting at the gym, yoga, or even 10 squats at your desk.  This release of endorphins is what we’re looking for, as a way to support your mood.

If you’re looking for more of a tailored approach, ask us about The Hormone Code – our 12 week online program, designed to use food, as a way to support healthy hormones.  Book your strategy call today to find out if The Hormone Code is right for you.

-Naturopathic Doctors at Health Over All