What to eat to destress and beat anxiety

Stress is probably the most prolific epidemic in today’s world, with almost 80% of us currently suffering some form of anxiety. Feelings of bliss or relief from the pressures and stresses of modern life is considered by many as the holy grail. Our ability to achieve mental and physical balance, can, at times seem as unmanageable as climbing Everest.

So, how do we thrive in such anxious times?

One word. Resilience. As humans we’re not designed to deal with the pace and stimulus of 21st Century life. Stress is inevitable. It hurtles towards us, trying to knock us off course hundreds of times each day. Our ability to thrive is not necessarily how well we manage to avoid stress, more how well we’re able to build up our internal resilience. True resilience is considered by many psychiatrists to be the missing piece in the stress-related puzzle.

What are the most common stress and anxiety symptoms?

Anxiety is not always easily diagnosed, at least not by us. There’s often an epidemic of denial when it comes to self-diagnosing anxiety. Symptoms don’t have to be as clear cut as a full-blown panic attack, they can be as subtle as forgetting an appointment, feeling like you can’t get through a film without checking your emails or having a to-do list that’s reached double digits. It’s easy to blame a feeling of nausea on a sick bug, or headache on the office air conditioning, than attribute it to its real cause – stress. We live in a society where stressful feelings are often belittled, trying to dispel that stress has descended. How many of us feel we aren’t able to slow down and force ourselves to soldier on? Trust those around you. If they’re worried that you are suffering from stress, there’s most likely cause for concern.

Feeling anxious can manifest itself in many ways. Headaches, sweaty palms, feeling sick, upset stomach, or waking up at midnight with a jolt are all physical clues. Less subtle could be feelings of lethargy, loss of appetite or general irritability. Whatever the signs, they should all be taken seriously. Once anxiety takes hold, it compounds even the most minute life issues, making you feel off balance and out of control.

How can stress affect your health?

Stress, inflammation and disease are all interlinked and if out of kilter can play havoc with your health. Our body’s response to stress is to produce increased levels of cortisol. Whilst this is positive in short bursts, helping to regulate blood sugar, sharpen our memory and reduce inflammation, long-term raised cortisol levels can have a negative effect on our mood, metabolic function and daily biorhythm. If not addressed, this can lay the foundations for mental illness and heart disease.

What are the best ways to combat stress?

Take a leaf out of Emma Watson’s book. Self-partnering doesn’t have to be exclusive to those who aren’t exclusive. The notion is one of self-awareness and is a note to self for everyone. Being kind to yourself isn’t a nice-to, it’s essential. Treating yourself how your BFF treats you can be life changing. Your body is going to be around a lot longer than an expensive handbag, so look after it. Pampering yourself, making time for yourself and appreciating yourself may all seem trivial, but they’re the foundations for stress-free living.

What are the best supplements for stress relief?

The spice, curcumin has shown to increase resilience to chronic stress. However, in its natural form, curcumin is a placebo. Its exceptionally poor absorbability means it’s unable to be effective as an anti-inflammatory in its organic form. The most bioavailable and effective form of curcumin is HydroCurc® formulated at a daily dose of 250mg in the LYMA formula.

The second ingredient to help combat stress is the king of Ayurvedic herbs, ashwagandha, a highly effective and extensively studied adaptogen. The best-documented form of ashwaganda is full spectrum, root extract KSM-66 Ashwaganda®, formulated at a daily dose of 600mg in LYMA.

Both these patented ingredients are backed by peer-reviewed clinical evidence which has shown HydroCurc® to support basic neurochemical function and KSM-66 Ashwaganda® improve stress and anxiety resistance.

Aren’t I best to be taking organic supplements?

Nature has provided us with relief from many conditions. However, the organic world has its ceiling. Organic isn’t a measure of efficacy, stability or bioavailability. This is why LYMA is formulated with peer-reviewed, patented ingredients, at proven, active levels. Each ingredient is powered with a smart-tech delivery system to overcome any limitations of the ingredient in its organic form and provide real health benefits.

What foods should you eat to combat stress?

It seems obvious, to say eat a healthy, balanced diet, however with half of the UK population eating a junk-based diet, it’s important to go back to basics. Try and stick to an organic, unprocessed anti-inflammatory diet. Eating naturally occurring melatonin-laden foods like rolled oats, pomegranate and asparagus can help to regulate our sleep. Almonds, black rice and pumpkin seeds are rich in magnesium, a key mineral to help regulate our stress response system. Your festive turkey can work wonders too in helping to feel calm. Poultry is packed with tryptophan, which acts as a sedative, best still when eaten with carbs. So, it wasn’t the family who sent you to sleep on Christmas afternoon after all!

What foods cause stress and should be avoided?

Stick to the rule of thumb. Homemade is best made. Processed foods, even if organic, won’t have the same nutrient values as meals you make at home. Try and limit caffeine to a cup of coffee or tea in the morning and eliminate your evening alcoholic tipple. Caffeine and alcohol are proven sleep disrupters and should be avoided if you’re experiencing any level of anxiety. Swap chocolate for a date. Out of sight, out of mind. Ridding your home of anything that’s not going to help you thrive is the best way forward. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you re-align your palette to start craving natural foods as opposed to processed.

What are the best stress management techniques?

Don’t let life take control of you, make sure you’re the one steering the reigns. Keep to a routine. Humans naturally feel safe when we are in control of our environment and know what to expect. Something as simple as getting up at the same time each day is subconsciously reassuring and a great way of maintaining an optimised body rhythm to contribute to combatting stress.

Don’t skim on fresh air. Exposure to sunlight is essential if you want to feel your best. Even if it’s making a commitment to walk instead of driving on errands, increasing your exposure to sunlight will help keep stress at bay.

Make time for your daily wind down. Developing a relaxing routine in the evening goes hand in hand with a quality night’s sleep. Reach for the hypnotherapy app instead of checking emails. And if you’re in a relationship, make time for your partner – they’re only a pillow away!

How can we destress in modern life?

We live in an exceptionally challenging world. There are some aspects to our life that are out of our control, but there’s a considerably larger part that’s within our power. The concept of building self-resilience might seem hazy, but it can be boiled down to a simple eight-step program.

• Stay positive. Try it, it’s infectious!
• Schedule time in your life for people who make you happy
• Don’t worry, be happy! Cultivate calm and a sense of humour
• Make time for regular exercise. Power walking part of your daily commute can be just as effective as a gym session
• Don’t smoke (or vape) it’s all poison
• Don’t skimp on sleep. Less than eight hours won’t cut the mustard
• Eat a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet
• If you want the best, take the best. Make LYMA’s pharmaco-nutrition part of your daily regime

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LYMA is the ultimate supplement. Eight unrivalled ingredients that give extra benefits, beyond a healthy diet. Confidence you can feel. Results you can rely on.

Find out more about the benefits of LYMA and how to buy LYMA here.

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