Sugar & your anxiety
Isn’t anxiety so frustrating? You could be feeling fantastic for a few days, and BAM you have a day where anxiety seems to be coming from nowhere. Well why does anxiety randomly get worse, and how can we actually help ourselves out in this area? Anxiety is highly complex and shows up in each person differently because all of our stories are uniquely individual, BUT the hope is that a fueled brain is a far less anxious brain! It is easy when you struggle with something to feel under it, and that it has control over you, but the thing is, you can get to know your body very well, and be empowered with tools that will help you when you feel like your brain energy is dipping.
So many of us are walking around highly addicted to sugar. High amounts of sugar are packed into things we wouldn’t expect like sauces, dairy products, and even marketed health bars and beverages. Our brains are fueled by what we consume, and the reality is that our choices contribute to anxiety OR improve mental clarity, decision making, and a sense of calm.
When we eat a lot of simple carbs, and processed foods with added sugars, we have a spike and drop in glucose. Glucose is fuel to our brain, and as it drops adrenaline rises which then triggers our REACTIVE brain. Ever wonder why you’re feeling fine, and then all of a sudden you are in fight, flight, or freeze from something that doesn’t need to have that much control over you? When our brains are fatigued because they haven’t been given proper fuel for hours, the smallest thing can make you feel like you need to curl in a ball and just breathe.
What makes me sad is that we label ourselves. We say things like “I just can’t deal today”, or “what’s wrong with me”. I’ve heard it far too many times where people are bashing themselves for not being able to function optimally when honestly putting down the coffee and eating a protein-packed snack could have them feeling a little better in 20 minutes! If you are on the verge of a panic attack, and the energy to cope is getting very low, you can eat a "fast fuel" (quick glucose) with a "slow fuel"(protein) snack and be guaranteed to feel better within 15-20 minutes! I like to call these emergency snacks. For example, this could be like an almond butter rice cracker and a no hormone meat stick.
When we crowd out all that sugar from our habits and lives, our hormones begin to regulate and we get out of the cycle of spikes and drops, running off adrenaline and feeling anxious as HECK. When we start our day with a nourishing savory breakfast packed with healthy carbs, protein, and healthy fat, our brain goes from being able to stay in our responsive cortex brain for 1.5-2 hrs to 3-4 hours! That’s huge! As you get to know your body and its cues, you can nourish before your brain starts going into full fatigue panic mode, and you can actually stay in your calm, decision making, clear thinking cortex brain all day!!
When you are fueled, you are more equipped to move through triggers and process them instead of react. Fueling your body and your brain is being your own advocate. You have the power to care for yourself, and when anxiety does come, don’t label the whole day as anxious! Recognize the pattern and allow it to move you closer to body attunement. Remember, eating the rainbow and getting in healthy carbs, fats, and proteins will keep you satisfied, and will help your brain feel nourished and calm!