Anxiety & Your Diet: What to Eat & Avoid

A holistic, integrative mind-body approach to anxiety includes a focus on diet and nutrition. Because the mind and the body are inextricably linked, the foods and beverages you put into your body directly impact your mood.

Recent research has revealed the powerful relationship between your gut and your brain, and the substantial role gut health plays in regard to anxiety. Your gut is comprised of trillions of bacteria - collectively referred to as the "microbiota" - and this bacteria has been implicated in various mood disorders, including anxiety. A recent study out of Harvard Medical School demonstrated the link between the microbiome and various mental and physical health conditions, and showed that changes in gut bacteria reduced symptoms of anxiety.

Read on for a list of the "Anxiety Diet Do's & Dont's":

Foods to Eat:

• Chamomile

• Turmeric

• Dark Chocolate

• Green Tea

• Chia Seeds

• Almonds

• Avocados

• Blueberries

• Lemon Balm

• Salmon

Foods to Avoid:

• Sugar

• Spicy Foods

• Processed Food

• Alcohol

• Caffeine

In addition to diet, sleep and exercise have been found to be critical for our mental health. While Western medication and/or therapy can be extremely helpful for managing anxiety, don't discount the role that you - and your food choices! - make in regard to your mental health.