Anxiety symptoms are symptoms of stress caused by anxiety (worry, fearful thinking). Any method used to reduce stress helps the body to calm down and become less symptomatic. The less stimulated the body is, the less symptomatic it will be.

While a healthy diet isn’t going to address the underlying factors associated with anxiety, it may help to buffer your body from the negative effects of anxiety-caused stress.

How helpful is a healthy diet?

In a poll we recently conducted, participants indicated:

Of those who tried a healthy diet:

• 17 % said they experienced no difference
  
• 82 % said they experienced little to great benefit
  
• no one experienced complete relief
  
• .9 % said it made things worse

We do know, however, that some dietary elements, especially foods that contain stimulants (caffeine, chocolate, raw sugars), can increase the body's stimulation, and therefore, can aggravate stress and anxiety symptoms.

Reducing and eliminating these elements can help to reduce symptoms.

Since each person is different, what may work for one person may not for another. We encourage you to use caution and discernment when trying anxiety treatment options.

The after effects of the Christmas season can still be lingering, even after four weeks.

Making time to rest and unwind can help the body recover more quickly.

If your body is symptomatic, it needs rest. Giving it what it needs will help to reduce and eliminate anxiety-caused symptoms.