What to Eat to Reduce Stress 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 are considered by many to be the holy grail. Our ability to achieve mental and physical balance can, at times, seem as unmanageable as climbing Everest.

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.

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 a headache on the office air conditioning, rather 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.

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. While 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.

Being kind to yourself isn’t a nice-to-have, 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.

The spice, curcumin, has been 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.

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.

It seems obvious to say we should be eating 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.

Homemade is best. 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. 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.

Don’t let life take control of you, and 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 skimp 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.

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.

“LYMA has created an industry leader. Never before has so much validated science and patented technology been combined into one formula. LYMA has changed the supplement industry and it has the power to change you.”

Dr. Paul Clayton, PhD

LYMA is the ultimate supplement. A combination of unrivalled ingredients that give benefits beyond anything a healthy diet can. Confidence you can feel. Results you can rely on.

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