Midlife anxiety is a thing. We have a number of life pressures causing stress – careers, finances, family, plus it’s a time where we naturally reflect and take stock.
Throw in fluctuating and declining sex hormones, cortisol from stress, a little too much reliance on alcohol as a “reliever” and you have the perfect combination for anxiety.
Here’s how to manage it more effectively:
Incorporate regular exercise into your week Exercise releases feel good endorphins, which are natural mood-boosters. Once you start exercising regularly your body will produce endorphins even on the days you don’t train to give you a mood lift.
Cut back on caffeine and alcohol: These substances can increase anxiety and disrupt sleep. The sulphites in alcohol like wine also impacts estrogen production, which in turn depresses feel good serotonin. Hello “hangxiety”…
Cut back on sugar and eat a balanced diet: A healthy diet that includes lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats can help stabilize your mood. Avoid processed and sugary foods, as they can cause spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels and are inflammatory to the body and brain.
Practice active stress management: start your day with a ritual to ground you and to set your intention for the day. Things like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help you manage stress and anxiety.
By making small tweaks you can have a big impact on your overall mental health and well-being. That’s the basis of what we do with our Midlife Method programme. No big sacrifices, but big results for body AND mind.
#anxiety #stress #mood #midlife
