Bailey Fitzgerald, Nutrition Expert on Cyno
How do I start using nutrition to ease my anxiety?
1) Focus on blood sugar balancing – keeping blood sugars balanced is a great way to begin feeling calmer and more grounded.
2) Swap to whole foods vs conventional processed food – whole foods are packed full of essential nutrients compared to inflammatory processed ones. Refined sugar, food additives, and highly processed foods can aggravate the nervous system.
3) Assess your relationship with caffeine- caffeine is a trigger for anxiety. Gradually reducing caffeine levels is so helpful in regulating cortisol levels and reducing stress and anxiety. (A cacao or adaptogen elixir is a great substitute for coffee!)
4) Eating to support your gut health- without proper nutrients to keep your microbiome healthy, the body will not have the bacteria needed to produce mood boosting neurotransmitters like Serotonin, Dopamine, and GABA.
Daily habits to help take care of your mental health:
1) Move your body! Daily exercise helps to reduce stress levels, can stimulate rest and relaxation, plus give you a sense of control over your own wellbeing.
2) Nature walks - spending time in nature can reduce cortisol levels and increase endorphin levels & dopamine production!
3) Mindfulness and meditation practice can help you slow down and improve your focus and concentration. It can reduce stress and even lead to self-acceptance and increased compassion for others. Try some daily affirmations: ‘I love myself and I am going to get through this.’
4) Schedule self-care. Set aside time each day to do something that brings you joy. Self-care should not be something you feel forced to do, but something you look forward to each day [take a bubble bath, practice yoga, read a good book, call a friend, do a skin care routine...].
5) Remember it is okay to not get everything done!