As a COVID Long Hauler, it seems impossible to ease anxiety. Whether the anxiety is one of your Long COVID symptoms, or you have anxiety from simply knowing you are a Long Hauler, the anxiety linked to COVID-19 appears impossible to avoid. There are plenty of prescription medicines that aid with anxiety, but the side effects of those pills tend to be more anxiety, or other mental health issues. We decided to research alternatives that are natural remedies to reduce symptoms of anxiety, and we found that there are several foods that are scientifically proven to ease anxiety.
Foods rich in magnesium, such as leafy greens, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains may make you feel calmer. Food rich in zinc has been found to lower anxiety, including oysters, cashews, liver, beef, and egg yolks. Salmon, and other foods rich in omega-3’s, can reduce stress as well. Foods that contain B vitamins reduce anxiety, such as avocados and almonds. Asparagus is a very well known anxiety reducer, the Chinese government actually approved the use of asparagus extract in beverages and foods to reduce anxiety. All of these foods listed release serotonin and dopamine, making them ‘feel good foods’.
Foods high in antioxidants may also relieve symptoms of anxiety.
High antioxidant foods include:
Beans: pinto, red kidney, and black
Fruits: Gala, Granny Smith, and Red Delicious apples, prunes, sweet cherries, and plums
Berries: blackberries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries, and blueberries
Nuts: walnuts and pecans
Vegetables: artichokes, kale, spinach, beets, and broccoli
Spices: turmeric and ginger.
Incorporating these foods into your diet is easy, tasty, and can be very rewarding to your mental health. Taking supplements of magnesium, zinc, and omega-3 may also be beneficial, but we recommend consulting your doctor before adding supplements to your diet, especially as a Long Hauler. Eating foods high in these supplements and high in antioxidants is a safe and easy way to begin combating your Long COVID anxiety and to increase your overall wellness.
If you want access to more resources for COVID Long Haulers, sign up for the Numinis newsletter on this website. As we develop our platform, we will develop meal plans with healthy and affordable recipes for you to try at home, so create a Numinis account today so that you’re up to date on all Long COVID information.
Numinis is the world’s first platform dedicated to Long COVID recovery. We look forward to interacting with you on our platform.
Together, we will find a solution for Long COVID!
Source: Naidoo, Uma. “Nutritional Strategies to Ease Anxiety.” Harvard Health Blog, 29 Aug. 2019, www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-strategies-to-ease-anxiety-201604139441.
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