State of calm

By Jody Vassallo

State of calm

For some people, anxiety occurs without explanation; for others it can be triggered by stressful situations at home or at work. But dietary and lifestyle modifications can play a big part in the treatment of anxiety.

For those who live with the very real symptoms of anxiety – heart palpitations, nausea, stomach-ache, headache, chest pain and breathlessness – it can be a debilitating condition best described as “living on the edge”. The individual may constantly feel tense, jumpy, fearful and apprehensive and in some cases may fear they are about to die.

When a person is experiencing anxiety the sympathetic nervous system goes into overdrive and the immune and digestive systems shut down. The heart races and the body goes into survival mode (the fight-or-flight response).

For some people, anxiety occurs without explanation; for others it can be triggered by stressful situations at home or at work. It can make the individual feel overwhelmed and extremely isolated. Dietary and lifestyle modifications play a big part in the treatment of anxiety. Routine, rest and relaxation are essential.

Stimulating foods to avoid

  • Caffeine-containing drinks (including coffee, cola and energy drinks) are best avoided, as they overwhelm the nervous system. Chocolate and green tea contain caffeine, so monitor your intake of them.
  • Avoid all cold, dry, rough and light foods, as they compromise the digestive and nervous systems.
  • Vegetables that cool the body include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, green leafy vegetables (except spinach), potato and tomato, so use them sparingly.
  • Corn, millet and barley are grains that dry the body, so avoid them, especially if your skin shows signs of dryness.
  • Apples and pears are crisp and light, so if you must eat them, stew, bake or poach them. Keep your intake of dried fruits (except raisins and dates) to a minimum.
  • Refrain from corn chips, crisps, crackers and popcorn, as they are light and airy.
  • Limit your intake of beans (except mung dal, chickpeas and adzuki beans), as they can create gas in the body.
  • Eliminate all chilled drinks and foods, including thickshakes, frappés, slurpees, ice-cream, sorbet and frozen yoghurt.
  • Sweet, sugary processed foods cool 
and rob the body of valuble nutrients.
  • Steer clear of carbonated drinks, including soda water and mineral 
water, as they can cause bloating, 
light-headedness and stomach-aches.
  • Limit your intake of salads and raw foods in the cold, windy months.
  • Though alcohol may seem to be helping you to relax, it actually heightens anxiety and increases the risk of a panic attack.
  • Nicotine stimulates the nervous system, so try to stop smoking.

Foods to soothe the nervous system

  • Foods rich in vitamins B1, B3, B6 and B12 are essential for supporting the nervous system; they include sunflower seeds, corn, black beans, spinach, chicken, tuna, salmon, scallops, yoghurt and capsicum.
  • Use spices that warm the body; for example, star anise, basil, bay leaf, pepper, caraway, cardamom, chilli, cloves, dill, fennel, garam masala, ginger, mustard seeds, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, tamarind, tarragon and thyme.
  • Select nourishing grains such as basmati rice, brown rice, whole oats, sushi rice and wheat berries.
  • Flavour natural sweeteners such as brown rice syrup, dates, unrefined brown sugar,  honey, maple syrup and fruit concentrates.
  • Include goods oils and fats in your diet; for example, coconut, mustard, almond, olive and sesame. Add nuts and seeds containing these oils to cereals, smoothies, warm salads, soups, casseroles and desserts.
  • Add “warming” onion, leek, garlic and ginger to all savoury dishes, either chopped or pounded to a paste.
  • Roast, bake, steam or mash “grounding” vegetables such as carrot, beetroot, squash, sweet potato, pumpkin and daikon. Flavour beans, asparagus, artichoke and bok choy.
  • Use condiments and pickles that help to stimulate the digestive system; for example, coconut and mango chutney; pickled ginger, daikon or lime; homemade mustard; umeboshi plums; yoghurt raita; brown rice and herb vinegars; horseradish; wasabi; and gomasio (sesame salt).
  • Snack on juicy oranges, melons, mango, papaya, grapefruit, apricots, grapes, pineapple and banana.
  • Add arame, hijiki, kombu and wakame seaweeds to soups and warm salads.
  • Drink calming herbal teas: ginger, lavender, cloves, bancha, chamomile, lemon balm, fennel and licorice.
  • Eat foods rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that helps to make serotonin; for example, mango, eggs, banana, spirulina, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, chickpeas, cottage cheese, milk, poultry and fish.

For your body

  • Get plenty of exercise, which will produce feel-good endorphins that help you to relax and ease anxiety.
  • Get help. There are plenty of support groups and therapists that deal with anxiety. Depending on the severity of your anxiety you may also need to consult your doctor.
  • Make time to sleep and rest.
  • Stay warm and try to avoid fans and air conditioning and exposure 
to windy environments.
  • Rescue Remedy is a specific Bach Flower Remedy designed for times of acute stress and anxiety. A few drops under the tongue will help to relieve the symptoms.
  • If possible, limit the amount of flying you do. People who travel for work often report feeling anxious before they leave for a trip. If you must fly make sure you stay warm during the flight, eat only the warm part of the meal (not, for example, the salad) and avoid consuming alcohol and carbonated drinks.
  • Don’t skip meals. You’re better off having smaller, more frequent meals than three large meals a day. The digestive system should not be overloaded when you feel anxious.
  • Adopt foods and habits that calm the nervous system.

Soothing recipes

Spiced Fish Curry with Basmati Rice, Mango Chutney and Lime Pickle

Five-Spice Pumpkin Dal Soup with Pickled Ginger

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