Stress and anxiety are something we are subject to at various times in our lives, and sometimes it can be overwhelming.

It can be very helpful to know exactly how to get control of it, and good progesterone levels are essential. That’s the hormone that helps keep you relaxed, as it stimulates the brain to produce GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) – the calming neurotransmitter that reduces brain activity. 

Another key factor in reducing anxiety is making sure your diet supports you, and so that is one of the best places you can start.

Comfort foods are a problem

Unfortunately when we are anxious and stressed one of our first responses is to reach for some food to comfort us, and unfortunately that is likely to be both unhealthy and won’t help keep you calm.

As much as you may want to, you can’t make yourself feel better with a bowl of your favourite ice cream. It won’t help – the problem is all that sugar – and spikes in your blood sugar can bring on changes in your mood, and not in a good way.

The other common frequently turned to comfort foods are certain kinds of chocolate, cakes, biscuits and sugary drinks. These not only increase your blood sugar levels but can also increase caffeine, which will not be helpful in calming you down.

What can help

So now you know what it is best to avoid, so here are some of the things that will definitely help you stay calm.

Berries

These have lots of antioxidants, which help protect your cells from stress and may help ease feelings of depression.

You can get antioxidants from nuts, beans, walnuts, or green vegetables, too.

Spinach

If this one leaves a bad taste in your mouth, almost any leafy green will do like kale, cabbage or chard. The key is the magnesium they contain, which may help you feel calmer.

Make sure you get enough of that mineral to help keep things in check.

Oatmeal

This is a complex carbohydrate and good because it gets into your system slowly and gives you a steady flow of energy that can help keep you on an even keel.

It also can give you a boost of a brain chemical called serotonin that can lift your mood.

Dark chocolate

The flavonoids in the cocoa help protect your cells. They’re a type of antioxidant that may also help lower your blood pressure, boost the blood flow to your brain and heart, and make you less anxious.

To get any benefit it must have at least 70% cocoa, but don’t overdo it. The caffeine in chocolate can make anxiety worse if you have too much, and no one needs a lot of extra fat and calories.

Zinc

Zinc is a mineral that helps our bodies deal with stress. Some diets may not include enough of this mineral.

Good sources include shellfish, chickpeas, lentils, beans, seeds, nuts, dairy, eggs and whole grains.

Oranges

You may think of vitamin C when you think of these citrus fruits, and that’s a big reason it might help your anxiety.

Some studies have shown that a diet rich in vitamin C may help calm you and put you in a better frame of mind.

These are all high in that vitamin: watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges, grapefruit, kiwi fruit, mango, papaya, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and cranberries.

Sardines

They have lots of omega-3 fatty acids, which may help with depression and anxiety. The reason for that may be related to the way they can ease inflammation.

Any oily fish can help so if sardines don’t appeal, try salmon instead.

Coffee

This one can be a blessing or a curse – the issue is the caffeine. A couple of cups of black coffee a day may boost your mood and energy, but more than that can make you jittery and anxious.

Check your intake as some people are more sensitive to it and so more easily affected.

Tea

For some, the ritual of a cup of tea has a calming effect. Certain herbs like lavender and chamomile may help, too, along with the antioxidants in the tea leaves themselves.

However remember that black tea generally has about 40 to 70 milligrams of caffeine per eight ounce serving while coffee has about 95 to 200 milligrams so limit that daily cuppa if trying to reduce caffeine.

Sauerkraut

Cabbage has folic acid, vitamin C, and some B vitamins that may help ease anxiety. It is fermented by various lactic acid bacteria which help keep your gut healthy.

They also play a part in making serotonin, a calming brain chemical.

B vitamins

Calf or chicken liver has a lot of  B vitamins and folic acid that help make the brain chemicals that affect the way you feel. You can get B vitamins from avocados and almonds, but they don’t have B12, which affects your mood and energy levels.

If you’d rather pass on the liver, you can get B12 in eggs, fish, or chicken or if on a vegan diet your doctor can provide a monthly injection to boost your levels or look for a supplement.

Alcohol

This can be good or bad, depending on how much you have. A drink or two can relax some people, but too much can rewire your brain and make you more anxious.

And heavy drinking can cause problems with your health that lead to more anxiety. No more than one drink a day for women, two for men, is a healthy rule of thumb.

Helpful information: 

When it comes to helping you stay calm there are plenty of options. Starting with your diet is a good place, and checking your hormone levels is another.

Supplementing with progesterone, as it certainly helps reduce anxiety, or a combination cream with both progesterone and oestrogen may be more effective if symptoms are severe.

Other methods that many find helpful include meditation, yoga and tai chi as well as therapies such as aromatherapy, massage, homoeopathy and counselling.

Want a little more help? Try this article for suggestions if comfort eating is an issue for you:

https://anna.blog.wellsprings-health.com/7-tips-if-anxiety-is-making-you-put-on-weight/