Panic Attacks - Avoid This Common Nutrition and Reduce Your Anxiety!

What you put into your body affects the way you feel and the internal physiology of your body.
 
We are all aware that some foods and drinks act as stimulants and others have a soothing effect, some are even purported to be aphrodisiacs. Since there is a relationship between food and the way we feel, it is important that you are conscious of what you are taking in because it will affect what comes out and that includes your anxiety level. 

Of course seeing a nutritionist is the best way to get the necessary personal evaluation and modifications to your diet but there are some general guidelines that might help your anxiety and panic attack levels. 

One of the substances that can aggravate anxiety is caffeine. This shouldn´t be surprising given that it is stimulant. Its function is to put you into a hyper aware state and it releases adrenalin, the very substance that triggers your fight or flight response and an anxious or stressed reaction. 

Moreover, high levels of caffeine can interfere with you ability to sleep which can make you more susceptible to panic attacks and generalized anxiety.

Caffeine is all around us. Coffee, even decaffeinated coffee, and soda are leading offenders here.  But caffeine is also found in a lot of teas, chocolates and over the counter drugs like Vivarin, Excedrin and Anacin. 

Reducing your caffeine intake can lead to a great reduction in your anxiety level. This may seem like a major sacrifice to people wedded to their morning cups of Starbucks or six pack of soda but it will make a major difference. 

If you have a major caffeine addiction, there will probably be some withdrawal symptoms as you reduce your intake. Take it slowly and cut the caffeine out gradually rather than cold turkey. 

Another contributor to high stress levels is cigarettes. While many smokers believe puffing away calms their nerves it actually places stress on their heart, makes it harder to breathe and increases anxiety levels. 

Not only will you feel healthier and reduce your risk of heart and lungs problems if you quit smoking but you will also get a better night´s sleep and reduce your anxiety. 

Reducing your salt intake will help you lower your blood pressure, thus reducing the strain placed on your heart and arteries.

High levels of salt consumption can lower your potassium levels which can affect your nervous system. Keep your body operating at its peak by eliminating table salt from your diet. A little salt is okay but try to keep it to a minimum. 

A few simple changes to your diet can help you reduce your anxiety levels, you´ll feel better too!  Don´t overeat, avoid eating on the run and give your body time to digest and use the food you´ve put into it. 

Caffeine and nicotine are addictive substances and eating habits can be hard to change or modify but you will see the benefits quickly in both your physical and mental health. Sometimes making the tough choices is the pathway to a better future. Good luck!