Breaking Free from the Grip of Anxiety: A Personal Journey to Calm

Finding Calm

Blog Summary

In this post, I share my personal journey of overcoming anxiety while balancing the challenges of parenting two sick children during my nutrition training. I learned that anxiety is not just a mental issue but is deeply connected to gut health, blood sugar balance, inflammation, and mineral deficiencies. By addressing these physical imbalances with nutrition and lifestyle changes, I was able to calm my nervous system and regain control. Now, I help others manage their anxiety by focusing on healing the body from the inside out. You don’t have to face anxiety alone—small changes can make a big difference.

Key Blog Points

Anxiety isn’t just a mental issue; it’s often rooted in physical imbalances, including gut health, blood sugar fluctuations, inflammation, and mineral deficiencies.

Over 90% of serotonin (the "feel-good" neurotransmitter) is produced in the gut, and imbalances there can directly affect mood and anxiety levels.

Unstable blood sugar levels can trigger anxiety.

Breaking Free from the Grip of Anxiety

There was a time when anxiety felt like an unwelcome companion. It wasn’t the typical work stress I had been trained to handle, but the kind that crept up during the quiet moments of everyday life—when I was trying to balance the needs of my children, my career, and my own health.

I was in the thick of my training as a nutritionist when life took an unexpected turn. I was raising two young kids who were both struggling with chronic illnesses. Between doctor visits, managing treatments, and trying to hold it all together, anxiety became a regular visitor in my life. I felt overwhelmed, unsure if I was doing enough for them, and constantly under pressure to make the right choices.

It was one particular night, after hours of juggling their needs, that I realized something had to change. My anxiety had reached a point where it was starting to take its toll on me. My body felt constantly on edge, and my mind was racing. I knew that if I didn't get a handle on it, I wouldn’t be able to show up the way I needed to—both for my kids and for my future clients.

What I Discovered About Anxiety

As I worked through my training, I started to understand just how connected anxiety is to our bodies. It wasn’t just a mental struggle—it was a sign that my physical health was also out of balance. What I found in my research completely changed how I approached not only my own healing but how I now support my clients:

1. Gut Health and Anxiety:
   Did you know that over 90% of serotonin, the neurotransmitter linked to feelings of well-being, is produced in the gut? When my gut health was off, it wasn’t just digestive issues—I was also dealing with mood swings, irritability, and, of course, anxiety.

2. Blood Sugar Swings:
   One of the things that became clear during my journey was how much blood sugar fluctuations contributed to anxiety. I started noticing that I would get more anxious or irritable when my blood sugar dipped, especially after long hours of caring for my kids.

3. Inflammation and Brain Fog:
   I had also been dealing with underlying inflammation, which not only impacted my physical health but made it harder to think clearly. As I worked on reducing inflammation through diet and lifestyle changes, the fog lifted, and so did the anxiety.

4. Mineral Deficiencies:
   A simple nutrient imbalance could be a major contributor to anxiety, especially deficiencies in minerals like magnesium and zinc. I found that by addressing these with targeted supplements and food, I could calm my nervous system.

My Road to Calm

Healing from anxiety wasn’t instantaneous, but it was absolutely transformative. Here are the steps I took that made the biggest difference:

• Nourishing My Body: I focused on nutrient-dense foods that supported both my gut and brain health. My meals became centered around whole, anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, healthy fats, omega-3-rich fish, and fermented foods that helped balance my gut microbiome.

• Balancing Blood Sugar: I made sure to eat balanced meals with protein, fiber, and healthy fats every few hours. This helped prevent the blood sugar crashes that would often trigger my anxiety.

• Functional Testing: I decided to dig deeper through functional testing. It revealed some hidden imbalances—like low omega-3s and high levels of toxins—that I addressed with specific supplements and dietary changes.

• Stress Reduction: As a busy mom, finding time to relax was challenging, but I began incorporating mindfulness techniques—simple things like breathing exercises, short meditations, and even journaling—to calm my nervous system.

The Big Lesson

What I learned during that time was incredibly powerful: anxiety isn’t a sign of weakness, nor is it something to just “push through.” It’s your body signaling that something isn’t in balance. By healing my body from the inside out—focusing on my gut, reducing inflammation, supporting my mineral levels, and managing blood sugar—I was able to regain control.

Now, I use my experience to help others find their way out of the grip of anxiety. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that there’s always a way to feel better. Sometimes it starts with small changes—nourishing your body, understanding your stress triggers, and listening to what your body needs.

If you’re ready to tackle your anxiety and regain balance in your life, I’m here to help. You don’t have to do it alone, get in touch and let me help you!