According to Phyllis Balch in her book, Prescription for Nutritional Healing, “Anxiety disorder appears to affect twice as many women as men, though there may not actually be that wide a disparity between the sexes. Psychologists believe that men are far less prone to report or even acknowledge having a problem of this nature.
Anxiety disorder can be either acute or chronic. Acute anxiety disorder manifests itself in episodes commonly known as panic attacks. A panic attack is an instance in which the body’s natural “fight or flight” reaction occurs at the wrong time. This is a complex, involuntary physiological response in which the body prepares itself to deal with an emergency situation. Stress causes the body to produce more adrenal hormones, especially adrenaline. The increased production of adrenaline causes the body to step up its metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to quickly produce energy for the body to use. In addition, the muscles tense, and the heartbeat and breathing become more rapid. Even the composition of the blood changes slightly, making it more prone to clotting.”
That’s why when we are stressed our bodies seek stimulates; sugar, caffeine, carbs, sex, digital screens, drugs, alcohol. . .distractions . . . anything to avoid being present with ourselves.
If you find yourself stressed out a lot and turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms that might include unhealthy stimulates, you could be slowly poisoning yourself (duh, right?) . . . maybe seeing it typed out helps . . . if you suffer from anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, etc . . . one of the best ways to shock your system into shape is to flush out toxins.
Treat your body like a chemistry project . . . are you indoors a lot? Maybe you are deficient of Vitamin D . . . do you eat unhealthy and drink? Maybe you need probiotics and tea. This isn’t hippy bullshit, flush out the toxins in your body . . . maybe your body is trying to tell you something, listen.
If you do suffer from anxiety, stress or mood disorder, first check in with your body, have I been healthy to myself? Honestly? No? Why? What are a few ways I can improve the health of my body and mind? What can I do to be more present in my body and mind? And remember to take deep long breaths. Don’t forget to breathe.
Love,
Domonique