Depending on the situation, anxiety (tempered by control) can be a good thing. Many years ago while mountain biking in a somewhat remote area of Montana, my riding partner and I came across a grizzly bear. Needless to say, in that context, both of us hit the anxiety button.
YIKES! There’s a grizzly bear. Right in front of us. Just off the trail.
Luckily the bear wasn’t all that interested. He (she?) stood up, looked straight at us, took a couple of lazy sniffs in our direction, and ambled off. Although he showed no obvious signs of aggression, my anxiety level shot up significantly. And for good reason.
Normal anxiety is like normal inflammation. It’s a positive response to danger or injury and something that is built into our physiology. Without anxiety, we might do stupid things.
“Cool, there’s a grizzly bear. I’ll go stand by him (her?) while you take my picture.”
While anxiety can be innately protective, I’m convinced some of us got the fortified version of the anxiety gene(s) and some of us got the watered down version. You know the personality types. There are scaredy-cats with AVOIDANCE being a distinct personality trait and there are risk-takers without a care in the world. It takes all kinds, but somewhere in the middle might make for a healthier balance.
Sadly, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, abnormal anxiety affects some 40 million people age 18 or older. That’s a lot of Americans living life hanging by a thread of jangled nerves. Are you one of them?
Enter Trudy Scott. She can help.
Although a lifelong adventurer (climber, skier, mountain biker, world traveler), Trudy had her own mid-thirties battle with serious anxiety. Her journey back to radiant health took her on a path of discovery that led to the book, The Anti-Anxiety Food Solution: How the Foods You Eat Can Help Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood & End Cravings. Trudy is a clinical nutritionist and has a private practice focused on natural solutions for anxiety and mood disorders. She’s “been there, done that” and knows the solution.
I met Trudy while attending the National Association of Nutritional Professional’s conference a few weeks ago in San Francisco. She’s a girl after my own heart. How often do you meet other nutritionists who telemark ski, backpack, mountain bike, and ice climb—and do it all gluten-free? I knew I had to include Trudy’s book in my “May is Celiac Awareness Month” book giveaway. She’s awesome, we hit it off right away, and there’s not a shred of abnormal anxiety in her personality. She found the cure through the right food and lifestyle choices, and she’s here to help you do the same.
If you’re interested in winning a copy of Trudy’s book, please do the following:
• Leave a comment on this post. Make sure you include your email address when prompted (it will only be visible to me) so I can notify you if you win.
• The giveaway closes Thursday, May 31st at 6 PM. It doesn’t matter if you’ve entered the other May giveaways.
I’ll announce all the winners next month in one “wrap-up” blog post. Stay tuned.
Peace, love, and a calm mind.
Melissa
Tags: anti-anxiety foods, anxiety, gluten-free, National Celiac Disease Awareness Month, nutrition therapy
I would love to win this! I have recently discovered the substantial link between what I eat and my abnormal, debilitating anxiety and would love to learn more.
Trudy is amazing and I love that you featured her and her book. I have a close relative who struggles with anxiety so much that she sometimes has to pull her car over on her way to/from work because of the traffic. She would greatly benefit from receiving Trudy’s book (which I will promptly send her if I win it!).
Wonderful giveaway! I didn’t know the foods you eat could effect your anxiety. This is definitely a book I need to add to my collection.
This book looks fantastic Melissa. I’d love to win it. Food, the way we nourish our bodies affects every organ from skin to heart, to bones and everything in between…only makes sense the brain would be included in that, and I do personally notice a huge difference in brain/emotion/hormone function according to what I eat. Can’t wait to read more. 🙂
My anxiety has been getting better since I have been eating more raw fruits and vegetables and getting away from so many refined sugars and processed foods. Has anyone had good results with herbal supplements easing the anxiety? I know there is a ton of stuff available, but I would like some firsthand experiences. Anyone?
Trudy’s work is really important in looking at the most obvious yet hidden way we sabotage our health. In her book - and her coaching work - she uncovers (and explains) how foods affect our mood (mental health) and our physical health as well. Lucky is the winner of the May giveaway!! Want more? Contact Trudy - she helped me understand and avoid foods that made me feel worse as well as find foods and supplements my body craves to live powerfully.
As someone who is working at anorexia recovery, I still struggle with healthy ways to manage my anxiety. I feel like the knowledge Trudy has to offer in this book would be, for me, twofold.
Me..Pick Me..Pick Me!! Or I’ll still have ANXIETY!
Thanks..I really have been on the lookout for nutrtional help..yay for Trudy!!
I would love to win this. I’m 18 years old and I have been struggling with severe anxiety and depression since I was 8. I’ve been poked and examined by many doctors. I’ve even been in the mental facility in my town due to my anxiety. I think this would help a lot. I need a new way to cope with my anxiety. And I’m tired of all the pills.
I’d absolutely be interested in reading this! I’ve always dealt with some anxiety but it’s been getting worse in the past year or so. It would be great to address it with a natural approach.
I am a 43 year old female who has lived with anxiety since my teenage years. I have been placed on many medications over the years and currently take Zoloft. However, of late I have been plagued with increased anxiety that has affected my sleeping patterns causing me to wake frequently throughout the night. It has taken a toll on all aspects of my life. I work full time and am a Mother of a wonderful 4 year old son. I would love a solution for the constant anxiety so that my son does not grow up with a Mom that is always anxious and worried!