How many of you have seen Angst? If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it, especially given the startling number of people affected by anxiety. It’s an eye-opening documentary featuring interviews with loads of youngsters who grapple with these troubling emotions on a daily basis. You learn more about the symptoms, the impacts on lives and what can be done to manage anxiety on a daily basis. Last month, fellow health coach Joe Mclean and I were honoured to be invited to Union Church to support them in their campaign to destigmatize and raise awareness of anxiety. We watched the 55-minute documentary together with around 70 12-18 year-olds – all of whom were gripped by what they saw, some of them crying as they resonated with the experiences of others. Afterwards, Joe and I took some Q&As and we stayed back with the more senior youth to further debate the causes, challenges, and techniques to deal with anxiety. It was encouraging to hear students question how they could support their friends during difficult times and at the same time, we were concerned by the levels of anxiety they and their friends are experiencing. We all feel anxious at times – nervous, worried, unsettled. That’s entirely normal. Severe anxiety, however, can take over your life, significantly impairing a person’s daily existence. Unlike stress, where you know what’s worrying you, ‘you become less aware of what you’re anxious about [in the moment] and the reaction becomes the problem. You start to feel anxious about being anxious,’ according to Dr. David Spiegel, Stanford University’s associate chair of psychiatry and behavioural science. Does this sound like you or a loved one? We’re sharing some ideas to help you deal with debilitating symptoms.
It’s World Laughter Day on 6th May. Laughter is well-documented as the best medicine and an antidote for anxiety. Here’s an idea: this May, surround yourself with good friends guaranteed to make you laugh. We know it’s not the definitive cure to anxiety, but it’s a welcomed respite from the troubles of daily life! So, invite your friends over, curl up on the sofa, watch a comedy together or crack your own jokes. And while you’re at it, serve up our delicious anxiety-busting muffins for good measure. Recipe of the Month Anxiety Busting Brownies A dreamy concoction of dark chocolate, cacao and avocados, these are delicious for adults and kids alike! Dark chocolate and cacao stimulate endorphin production and serotonin, which can lift mood and combat depression; magnesium helps to relax the body; avocadoes are full of healthy omega 3s and are rich in mood-boosting B Vitamins. What’s not to love?
Ingredients:
At Health Nation, we’re committed to your physical, mental and emotional well-being. If you’d like to know more about how we can help with anxiety be it through diet, lifestyle changes or hypnotherapy, please do not hesitate to get in touch. You are not alone, and you most certainly don’t need to suffer alone.
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