Men and Anxiety

I've been putting case studies together of the people I have worked with who have reduced (or in some cases eliminated) long-standing anxiety.

It's so fascinating and enlightening (for them) when they notice the association between food and mood, nutrition, sleep and movement.

It changes their lives and gives them tools to work with for the rest of their life.

Recently, I have seen a few men who have been struggling with anxiety.

Men, in general, are less likely to seek help.

Going to counselling is a difficult bridge to cross for many, and for men who may not want to talk about how they are feeling, this can be a challenge.

However, men are often open to looking at dietary and lifestyle changes rather than attending counselling or psychology appointments, which is why this work is so important.

Counselling for anxiety may not be needed because the symptoms resolve once lifestyle improvements are made.

In two recent cases, anxiety has been almost completely eliminated by working on some lifestyle changes.

Some of the more basic and substantial changes for these people are:

- Eliminating energy drinks (this is huge! Recent research associates energy drink consumption with poorer mood, poorer mental health and increased suicidal ideation.)

Men may be more hesitant to seek help

- Reduction or elimination of alcohol (associated with poorer mood and increased anxiety)

- Reducing fast food and takeaway. Increasing the amount of food prepared at home.

- Increasing protein foods and reducing sugar. Eating more regularly, especially in physically taxing jobs.

- Adding a high-dose multivitamin to their daily routine.

- Noticing and working on their gut issues

Mood Enhancing Lifestyle Changes

The returns in mood-enhancing benefits are such that they are happy to stick with this. They know when they slide off because they start feeling worse.

There are simple things that you can do that can make a world of difference in your life.

Like the people I saw, anxiety may go down from 9/10 to 3/10 or less.

Concentration improves

Sleep improves

Life improves

Talk therapy is great but…

Imagine if we failed to address these things and simply focused on talk therapy?

This is why a comprehensive approach is necessary.

And why I focus on the whole person and their environment.

Medication and talk therapy are only part of the solution!