Anti-Anxiety Diet: Let Go Of Anxiety To Be Thin

Researchers with Tufts School of Medicine discovered what most of us intuitively know anxiety as we down a pint of frosted layer cake and bag of chips to calm our anxiety. Tufts experts found women with a history of anxiety disorders are at greater risk for becoming overweight or obese.

The study, published in the March 2006 issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, followed 820 women and men from childhood through young adulthood. They discovered women with anxiety disorders were about 6 to 12 pounds heavier than women without anxiety.

Anxiety is a common problem for men and women in our fast-paced world today. Our body's response to anxiety is often called the "fight-or-flight" response. Before humans evolved to civilized society, they needed to respond to life-or-death situations for survival. When the body senses anxiety, the pituitary gland releases the hormone adrenocorticotropic which, in turn, triggers the release of cortisone and adrenaline. While the "stress hormones" help provide your body with the extra strength needed to fend off wild animals in the jungle, they also tend to make you fat, especially in the mid-section.

Some of the symptoms of anxiety include the following: rapid heart beat, sweating, queasiness, muscle tension, dry mouth and fainting.

Some people believe taking prescribed medications for their anxiety is the answer to their problem. According to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 75 to 90 percent of all doctor visits are related to stress, anxiety and related symptoms.

It's important to note, weight gain is a common side effect of many prescribed drugs taken for anxiety, clinical depression and mental disorders. So if you think taking Prozac will help you deal with the anxiety of living, you may end up feeling even more anxiety and anguish over your weight gain.

Instead of taking medications to deal with anxiety, consider taking yoga or other exercises to help you unwind and release stress. Another way to reduce stress and anxiety is to simplify your life. Leave the office early some days without feeling guilty. Make it a priority to take care of yourself.

Take the time to prepare or order healthful meals. When you eat mindfully and slowly, you will eat less and feel more satisfied.

To better deal with anxiety, try the following strategies:

Practice yoga and get regular exercise
Acknowledge how you feel instead of holding it in
Cry if you feel emotional
Reduce or eliminate the use of caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and sugar
Practice meditation and deep relaxation. Listen to hypnosis tapes, especially those related to weight loss.
Be rational and figure out what is bothering you.
Talk to other people when you are feeling stressed. Talking to a relative or friend is a better solution than binging on junk food.
Be careful to choose quality whole foods such as fruits and vegetables instead of high fat and high sugar foods. Recognize your cravings are related to the anxiety you are feeling.
Spend more time outdoors.
Take a relaxing bath or go swimming as water can help you feel calm and refreshed.

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