3 Foods That Can Ease Anxiety Immediately

Anxiety is a mental health condition that chronically affects nearly 10 percent of the global population, but it likely touches 100 percent of the population at some point in life. Disorders, social anxieties, and phobias all lead to feelings of worry, tension, and nervousness. The mind produces fearful, uncomfortable thoughts, and the body responds in kind.

Doctors, of course, throw medication at the problem: pills that numb the mind and trick the body into feeling better. But these courses of treatment do not address the roots of the symptoms, which is the garbage that goes in both the body and mind daily. This is not medical advice, but rather wisdom that is self-evident: treat the entire body with care, and life will begin to feel light and easy.

As usual, the shift starts with a new diet that prioritizes cellular health, blood pressure, and anti-inflammatory measures. Here are 3 science-backed foods that will nourish the body, and therefore calm the mind and reduce anxiety.

Salmon

High-quality fish like wild-caught salmon contains vitamin D and the omega-3 fatty acids that help regulate dopamine and serotonin in the brain. The fatty acids also reduce inflammation in the brain and prevent cellular dysfunction.

A brain that can fire without cellular dysfunction can theoretically adapt to changes easier, as well. In other words, if the brain is nourished and energetically stable, it will be more apt to accept “triggering” situations as interesting challenges or opportunities.

Many cultures in blue zones (parts of the world where citizens live longest) rely on fish as a staple of their diets multiple times per week.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that contains curcumin, a compound known to promote brain health via increased immune system. It can also help prevent anxiety disorders by easing damaged brain cells subjected to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.

One double-blind, randomized study in 80 patients with diabetes found daily supplementation of nano-curcumin (80 milligrams/day) — a smaller, more bioavailable form of curcumin — for 8 weeks resulted in significantly lower anxiety scores compared to a placebo.

Another study showed similar results in patients with major depressive issues (500 mp of curcumin for 8 weeks). If you want to know more about turmeric, including our favorite way to drink it down, check out our popular turmeric milk recipe HERE.

Yogurt

You’ve probably heard the gut microbiome referred to as the “second brain.” That’s because the billions of bacteria in the intestines help regulate the chemicals (like serotonin) that move through the body. The first brain makes the order, and the second brain carries it out — or at least that’s the theory.

Regardless of functionality, the connection between gut health and brain health is well-established and attracting new research annually. Many people experiencing a myriad of personal health issues may just be suffering from poor gut health, especially if they’ve been on medication for long periods of their lives.

Yogurt with live active cultures listed as an ingredient can help rebuild the gut biome via the addition of probiotics, which help maintain “good” bacteria and thus create mood-boosting neurotransmitters.