Nourish to Flourish: How Nutrition Can Help You Overcome Challenges
Facing tough times? It's not just mental strength you need – your body plays a crucial role too. Here's how you can support yourself.
(Photo: shutterstock)Fear and anxiety are supposed to help us react healthily to stress, and even to dangerous situations. Some people don't have enough nutrients in their bodies to allow their systems to cope properly in challenging times.
There are a few actions we can take to alleviate symptoms and give our bodies a better chance at coping, especially when we're all in an extreme and overwhelming situation.
First, it's important to rule out issues like low blood sugar levels, and check thyroid function. When the thyroid doesn't function properly, hormone secretion that is important for mood balance is disrupted, possibly worsening the problem.
Caffeine and alcohol – though they may seem calming during stressful times, they ultimately put more strain on the system and prevent proper functioning.
Processed sugars cause blood sugar levels to peak and then crash suddenly. When blood sugar drops, it leads to stress, sadness, and even depression.
A diet that helps the body alleviate anxiety should include foods that stabilize blood sugar, to maintain a steady level throughout the day. It's wise to eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of a few large ones.
Complex carbohydrates – such as whole grains like brown rice, oats, and quinoa – contain serotonin, a neurotransmitter that has a calming effect on the brain.
Vitamin B helps in stressful situations by balancing brain chemicals. Make sure you're consuming enough foods like brewer's yeast, leafy greens, and legumes such as chickpeas, beans, lentils, or peas.
Magnesium calms the body and relaxes muscles that are usually tense under stress and tension. Magnesium is found in soybeans, nuts, leafy vegetables, and molasses. You can also take a supplement at night before bed – it will help with better sleep as well.
There are calming herbs, such as chamomile, which is good for those who experience stomach cramps when anxious or tense. Valerian is great for calming and specifically treating insomnia. St. John's wort can assist in cases of anxiety accompanied by mild depression.
Above all – prayer, breathing, and remembering to have faith that there's no bad coming from above. May we soon hear good news, deliverance, and consolation.
Zohara Sharvit is an N.D. naturopath and iris diagnostician with years of experience in treatment, advice, and workshop facilitation. To book a free workshop, call 073-2221290
