If you have anxiety, too, you might want to know this: I have been conducting an experiment on myself.
I’m trying out this thing called good nutrition. Normally, I’m the type of girl who doesn’t eat breakfast, is way too busy to ever get to lunch, eats an entire row of Oreos while waiting at the bus stop because she’s starving, and then gorges on dinner because she’s still starving. Top that off with some ice cream or a glass of cava on the couch later that night.
At the age of 42, I’ve been feeling more and more like crap. The ups and downs, the sugar highs and lows … I knew it wasn’t helping me, especially my anxiety symptoms. Most of my life I’ve had an awesome metabolism, so it has never mattered what I ate. I was always tall and comparatively thin. Don’t get me wrong, I like vegetables and healthy things too. It’s not like I lived on Ben & Jerry’s alone. But I could have done better.
Also, I was noticing my anxiety seemed to affecting me a little more. I have a lot of work pressure – writing assignments, managing the blog, tons of email, a new nonprofit, lots of back-end management things to deal with — and by 5pm I was feeling like I could collapse. So I would have a class of cava or wine just to get myself to calm down. And I didn’t want to start feeling like I had to do that every day.
Anyway, just after the New Year I decided I would try something different. For several weeks I have eaten breakfast everyday. (!!) I have a venti nonfat no foam latte, and I have a bowl of Chobani non-fat plain greek yogurt with fresh blueberries and New England Naturals Ancient Grains granola. (And no, this is not a sponsored post – I’m just telling you what I eat.)
I’ve been eating lunch, too. For the first few weeks I made myself a big lunch salad. Greens, chicken, some cut up veggies, maybe some pecans or sunflower seeds thrown in, and a drizzling of olive oil and white balsamic vinegar. For the last week or so I must admit, though, that I’ve gotten so busy I don’t have time to deal with all that, so I’ve taken to grabbing a reduced-fat cheese stick, some almonds, and handfuls of roast turkey right out of the package. Dinner? Mainly meat and veggies, or a salad similar to the one I’ve been having at lunch.
I have had almost zero sugar and zero white flour for a little over four weeks, and I’ve had lots of veggies and fruits. I’ve also been taking a multivitamin. I have not, on the other hand, been calorie counting. I eat as much of the healthy stuff as I want because this isn’t about dieting. Also, I refuse to quit drinking coffee, though I did stop having any alcohol at all this month.
The results? I must admit I really do feel better. My skin looks much clearer (yay for less acne!). I’m not dying for a drink of wine or cava at 5pm to help me relax and reduce my non-stop anxiety from my work during the day. I still get anxious, don’t get me wrong, but I feel better able to cope with it. I’ve had less problems with my migraines — actually haven’t had one in a month although I do feel one coming on today which sucks. I was hoping I could get rid of them forever.
I waited until now to tell you all of this because the big question for me was whether this little experiment would impact my PMDD. Ever since I got through postpartum OCD, I’ve been well EXCEPT for an anxiety attack here and there (I still have OCD, because it turns out I always did have it), and the nasty few days before my period starts. For two days I am usually ruined by my hormones and CONVINCED that everyone hates me. Except this time that didn’t happen. At all. Woohoo! Was it the food? Could be. Either way I’m happy about it.
I’m not by any means a health nut. I still haven’t convinced myself to start exercising, which is next on my agenda but which I keep putting off because I feel like I have no time and I already don’t get enough sleep as it is so please don’t tell me to get up earlier to go workout. Not gonna happen. I also can’t make any predictions as to how long I will be able to continue eating this way. I’d like it to be a long term thing, but you never know, right?
What I can say is that I do feel better both mentally and physically. I’m not craving things that are bad for me much anymore. My anxiety isn’t as bad. And, it also turns out I’ve been losing about one-half of a pound a week, too.
I will continue experimenting on myself if I can and sharing the results with you. Because for those of us with anxiety I think anything we can do to reduce the symptoms is a damn good thing.
Photo credit: © kentoh – Fotolia.com
Wow! This is great. I've just started "attempting to" eat healthier. It's wonderful news that it could also impact my anxiety levels. Thanks for posting this. I'm always looking for ways to be healthier emotionally and can't wait to see what the longer term results are for you.
I'd say it's worth a try to see how it might impact you, while at the same time continuing to work with your doctor.
K
This is super timely for me Katherine. I just decided this morning that I was going to start doing better for myself – making better decisions about food and exercise. I am still struggling with my PPD, but I have made huge strides in getting better.
All of that getting better has put me in a very sedentary lifestyle and I have started to not feel good. Back pain and anxiety have kept me up at night. I haven't had a good night's sleep in quite some time.
I came across this post today and I am excited to take this journey with you. Thanks, as always, for your encouragement.
-Melissa
Keep me posted on how it goes for you Melissa! Maybe we'll have a little club of good eaters!
– K
I fell into some bad habits this fall (poor eating and stopped exercising) and found myself back in the pit of PPD. Last week my therapist suggested I call my doctor to increase my meds. I decided that I was going to start exercising again first. WOW!! Exercise does WONDERS for my PPD. I need to keep doing it! I've been eating better too, so some more of my 50 Zoloft pounds are coming off too, which in turn makes me feel better. 🙂 It all works together!
Hi Katherine,
I have been trying to eat better and exercise more to gain control on my anxiety. I am currently a first time mother of a four month old baby girl. We tried for allot of years to have her and finally one day this dream came true. I had very hard pregnancy with 4 months of bed rest and lots of complications and a traumatic delivery. I have now been diagnosed with PPOCD by two dr's. It is so scary the things that go thru my head and I feel like I'm such an evil person. I have realized that I have had OCD probably since I was a teenager, but I always found a way to deal. Now with having my own child and having such scary thoughts in my mind I don't know how to deal. I feel like a monster at times and sometimes afraid to be with my daughter as to protect her from my self, this is such a horrible feeling I can't even explain. I am in therapy but I am also trying to do my own research. I want to get better so bad. Sometimes I question if it's really OCD or am I turning into a bad person, my therapist says that's the OCD talking :). I was doing really well for about a month or so and relapsed really hard with tons of anxiety and scary thoughts again. Anyway I saw on here that you also had your own battle with PPOCD and thought I would see if you could offer any advice or share your story or give me some tips that might help. I have not had the opportunity to speak with someone that has gone through this. Any help would be so great…..I feel so lost.
-Hannah
Hi Hannah — I'm sure Katherine has some more specific advice for you, but I read your post and just wanted to reach out & let you know I have been through a similar situation (including complicated pregnancy & bedrest). I too had PPOCD and anxiety after my daughter was born. It was a very painful period, but it did get SO much better (with help). I remember the feelings of fear and guilt, and I am so sorry you are experiencing that now. I am glad you are seeing doctors and in therapy: sometimes you need that feedback from a professional to give you some perspective on how the OCD is affecting your thoughts and your feelings about yourself. It really helped me stop blaming myself so much and my mind & heart really needed that at the time. Do you have someone (spouse/friend/family) who knows what you are going through who can help during the moments when you really need it? Please know that I also had 'relapses' when my symptoms got worse, usually when something stressful was going on. I know it is disappointing to have the symptoms come back, but you will get back to that better place again. Sometimes a morning can start out bad, but that doesn't mean that the whole day (or week, or month) will be the same. My daughter is now 2 yrs old, and while of course there are still stressful times, my good times far, far outweigh the bad at this point. You will get there too. You are doing the right thing by getting help and reaching out for support. I wish you the best of luck and peaceful, forgiving thoughts. — Claire
Hi Claire,
Thank you so much for your relpy. It really does help so much to hear from someone that has been through this. Yes, I have family around. My husband is so sweet and loving but very passive which does not make me feel very safe and the rest of family does not understand what I'm going thru and does not really try. My mom says "You just got to not think about it" and the other day she said I just wanted attention. This hurts really bad, becasue me and mom are pretty close, however she has no understanding for metal illness, even though she has been through depression her self but won't admit it. Anyway, all this leaves me feeling very alone allot of the time. You are first actual person that I have ever heard from that has this issue. I don't want to be a big bother but would you mind maybe being an e-mail buddy for a little while? If so you can e-mail me at Hannah.mariah@hotmail.com.
I was also wondering if you went on BC and did it make you worse?
I am stopping the BC to see if I get any better. I have noticed that the EXTREME anxiety seems to come just before my period and I'm thinking this could be do to the BC and the huge hormone changes. I hadn't been on BC except maybe one or two times for a month to make me have my period since I have PCOS. But really no BC for the last 15 years or so.
Hi Hannah — I sent you an email, just wanted to make sure you got it!
Claire
Timely post, Katherine! I watched something on Netflix recently and decided to get a juice machine (to go with the blender) and have been eating fruits and veggies, almost exclusively) for 8 days now. I'm very surprised that I am not craving sugar. No, I'm shocked. I love chocolate and anything sweet. I've resisted 80% of the sugar I would have normally eaten. And now that the cookies are gone, it's even easier.
Anyway, I think you're on to something.
I went off meds years ago after CBT and other support and relied on high dose vitamins, and exercise to keep anxiety at bay. I finally realised about 18 mo ago that sugar was a main culprit for me as it brought out anger and anxiety (exactly like my PPD) – when i cut down/out the sugar I am a nice person again. Exercise is also a big help but I go through cycles with my time and commitment to it. I just know that sugar has a reaction in my body that is not good for my mental health.
Way to be a guinea pig 😉
I have noticed that since I'm having problems with my gallbladder, that I'm really feeling the effects of my illness. I'm not able to eat the foods I used to so by the end of the day, I'm on the couch dying.
I'm sure that it also affects the way I'm absorbing my medication. I had a really really rough time before my period last month and it sent me into hypomania.
I most definitely believe that there is a corelation to eating healthy balanced meals and our illness.
Would getting some free time help in some way?
I just wrote a new book, The Great Babysitter Hiring Guide, and it is available to download for free today for the Kindle:
http://www.amzn.to/Ap6lzD
If you don't have a Kindle you can read it by downloading the free Kindle app for your computer or mobile device (iPhone etc.).
I welcome your suggestions, comments or any constructive criticism and thank you in advance for letting other moms know about the availability of the book today for free.
Thanks,
Jon Singer
P.S. Here is an overview about The Great Babysitter Guide:
Want a step-by-step, easy to follow manual on finding the best nannies, babysitters and au pairs?
Look no further. The Great Babysitter Hiring Guide is a very brief but indispensable handbook to help keep your kids safe and happy and to give you peace of mind.
Drawing from 15+ years experience with his wife Michey, in hiring babysitters and nannies for their two children, Singer shares proven strategies for helping you find the best caregivers for your kids.
Jon and Michey Singer have seen it all over the years and provide you with everything you need to know to find and screen the best candidates.
Jon is author of The Special Needs Parent Handbook and founder of Drive4Rebecca, an organization dedicated to raising funds for autism research and education and helping parents to become stronger advocates for their children with special needs.
You know I struggle with anxiety, especially for 2 days before my period. I eat mostly healthy (I do not eat meat and I am great at not keeping junk food in my house), but on the days I do eat like crap, I feel different–My energy level is low, which puts me in a mental slump as well, making me more prone to anxiety. On days when I drink caffeinated coffee, I'm a total basketcase, particularly if that happens just before my period (if somehow I've miscalculated). I know that what I put into my body affects my mental state. It's just hard to put that into practice ALL the time.
In addition to trying to eat healthy, I take some supplements that I feel help with my anxiety–such as omega 3s & magnesium. I sprinkle flax seed in Chobani and on my PB toast every morning. I try as much as possible to stick to decaf coffee (like you, I could NEVER give it up altogether). I've almost cut out partially hydrogenated oils altogether, and I don't add sugar or salt to anything.
However, like you mentioned, I am too busy and too tired to force myself to exercise. I've cut myself some slack on that, because there are only so many hours in a day. I do, though, try to take a half hour walk on my lunchbreak every other day. I find that the fresh air and sunshine truly helps ward off my anxiety, especially if I ate well that day.
Anyway, I'm thrilled that you're experimenting and hope you continue to share what you find to be true for your body and your anxiety.
this is awesome! It is amazing how diet and exercise affects our whole lives. I have been working out like crazy this month to lose the baby weight and it feels SO DANG GOOD. Granted once my mom leaves (tomorrow) it's gonna be a lot harder to find the time, so we'll see 🙂
Good for you!!! xo
I have never been a big breakfast eater. EVER! I decided trying to eat better a few weeks myself. I always found myself either not eating in the morning, knew I was hungry but convinced I didn't have time. Plus it was hard to eat with my daughter next to me so I would try to stuff my face during her naps and that would consist of some pretty unhealthy food. I was always trying to make "quick" meals that truthfully are terrible for you! Since I don't like breakfast much I started making smoothies because who doesn't like a smoothie and I can share them with my daughter! I make salads during the afternoon with some type of meat and for dinner, it depends on if my husband and I have the night together. I do feel healthier, I have gained my weight back that I lost during PPD/PPA. I also take a daily Complex B vitamin that is a time released vitamin! Thanks for the post!!!