Author: bettie

You’ve probably heard that eating chocolate makes you feel better. This isn’t just an allusion to its sweetness—there’s science behind it. Researchers from UCalgary and AHS found the motivation to eat chocolate is caused by its psychoactive ingredients, such as flavonoids or phenylethylamine, which are believed to improve inflammatory profiles and help regulate people’s moods.

Does this sound surprising? The battle to recognize mental health awareness has been going on for years. Today, however, it’s widely recognized that our physical well-being affects how we think, feel, and act. This means that our diet, a crucial component to our bodies and everyday living, can directly and indirectly impact our mental health as well.

Let’s take a closer look at the relationship between the two.

Negative cycle of unhealthy food choices

When stressed, we tend to rely on comfort meals that are sugary, fatty, or salty. These foods immediately trigger serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins in our brain.

However, this is temporary. Psychiatrist James Gordon says unhealthy diets actually cause severe drops in these neurotransmitters, while significantly increasing cortisol or the primary stress hormone in our bodies over the long run. This creates a cycle of poor mental health, that many in the world are unfortunately susceptible to, and a reliance on temporary solutions like sugary foods.

Proactive care of our mental health

Taking the step to provide our bodies with good quality food is the key to protecting the brain from further damage like oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is caused by free radicals that can damage cells, affecting various control centres in the brain such as the amygdala. This can impair the brain’s capacity to regulate one’s hormones, leaving one vulnerable to mood disorders.

Focusing our meals around balanced diets that are inclusive of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants is crucial. For those new to mindful food consumption, consulting with experts may be a big help. A guide to how WeightWatchers’ weight loss plans work notes that they get guidance from licensed nutritionists which helps many beginners to nutrition stay on track. This also encourages them to feel more satisfied with their newfangled healthy habits.

Proper sleep and hydration comes naturally with a healthy diet. Researchers from Toronto explain that our diets or rhythms of feeding behaviour send feedback to the peripheral molecular clocks of our body. When our eating pattern is stable, the body’s ability to maintain homeostasis or increase metabolism stabilizes as well.

Hence, our ability to maintain a work-life balance while keeping our bodies fit and energetic increases with every consistently healthy meal. Committing to a nutritious diet will start a positive cycle of better mental health.

Best diets for good mental health

Every individual’s body and experience is different and we all have unique needs. For example, we’ve discussed in Anxiety 101 how anxiety attacks can be triggered by even the smallest inconveniences and dietary changes. While eating vegetables and fruits is often encouraged for their high nutritional value, people with anxiety may need to more strictly watch their intake due their high glycemic indexes.

That’s why many opt to tailor diets to their lifestyles. As a rule of thumb, avoid processed foods that increase inflammation in the body and disturb the normal gut microbiome because of the lack of fibre. Instead, stick to highly nutritious ingredients such as whole and organic foods, and regularly consult your healthcare provider.

A healthy diet means a healthier mentality. Lucky for us, that means that we’re capable of exerting a degree of control over our mental wellness. Start making the right food choices today and live not just longer, but happier lives as well.

In 2017, the Our World and Data, an online publication that covered global problems, reported that 3.8% of the population globally suffered from anxiety disorders.

According to CBD buying guide, one out of ten people is diagnosed with having mental health disorder. Instead of using commonly suggested treatments, some people turn to CBD products to treat these mental disorders.

CBD Oil and Anxiety

A survey in 2017 reported that 41% of marijuana users were swapping their anti-anxiety medicines for cannabis. Around 40% of these people claimed that CBD was more effective for relieving their anxiety.

The cost of treatment for anxiety disorders in the US can be high. In fact, treatment options such as cognitive-behavioral therapies can cost around $100-$120 or more per hour.

People who have an average minimum wage may need to take on many jobs to afford just one session. That is why most people suffering from anxiety turn down the expensive treatments and therapies and turn to CBD to help them manage the symptoms.

Is CBD Oil Effective for Treating Mental Health Disorders?

According to some research, CBD oil can help treat various medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, depression, and anxiety.

The Permanente Journal published a study about the positive effects of using CBD oil in treating anxiety.

According to their study, around 79% of the participants reported that they experience anxiety reduction. That is why mental health advocates are considering CBD because of its positive effects.

Even though the effectiveness of CBD oil to treat anxiety is not fully understood, many people are still using it as a way to relieve symptoms. Additionally, according to the 2019 Gallup Poll, around 14% of Americans used CBD oil.

Thorough Research Is Needed

There is still insufficient research about the long-term effects of using CBD oil to improve mental health. So far, no long-term solutions have been identified, but that doesn’t mean there are none.

Most people who use CBD oil do not experience extreme effects. Still, some people are sensitive to CBD oil that could lead to diarrhea and fatigue. Some people experienced this side effect because some CBD oil products do not have the purported CBD levels.

Even though CBD is popular, you still need to know many things about it and keep that in mind before using it to treat anxiety. Also, you need to know CBD is not a replacement for your anti-psychotics or anti-depressants.

Conclusion

It is known to most people that CBD oil can be a health remedy. That is why many people turn to this product.

However, always keep in mind that you need to consult your doctor before using anything because it might have harmful effects, especially if you’re taking another medication.

Some research shows that CBD oil can help in treating various medical conditions, including anxiety. However, always keep in mind that the use of it is not entirely recommended. Thorough research is still needed to know the safety and the effectiveness of CBD oil.

Dealing with anxiety can be challenging in many, many ways. There are tons of tools and gadgets fashioned to relieve anxiety in whatever little ways they can. Anti-anxiety rings, stress balls, and even bean bag chairs do the trick for some people.

Bean bag chairs have been around for much longer than many people know. However, they have recently been discovered as essential tools in dealing with anxiety. Even schools found the benefits of offering bean bag chairs in classrooms as destressing and flexible seating options for students.

Anti-anxiety bean bag chairs have become a staple that every mental health enthusiast should consider.

How Do Anti-Anxiety Bean Bag Chairs Work

Bean bag chairs started in a humble form. They generally come in the shape of large sack-like structures, filled with tiny little beads on the inside. As with nearly everything else, evolution has taken place in the past couple of years, and they are not quite the same as before. One of their most popular updated evolved versions is none other than the anti-anxiety bean bag chair.

Also referred to as an anti-anxiety float chair, this specific type of bean bag chair uses the illusion of floatation therapy to give maximum comfort and support. Floatation therapy is typically done in water tanks.

The weightless feeling of floating around and simply ridding your body of stressful sensations soothes anxiety and stress. The wonder is truly in the details, as the fillings of these anti-anxiety bean bag chairs are quite different from others.

These bean bags are filled with sensory foam and high responsive high-density beads. This specific engineering gives you a calming, sinking feeling when settling into the bean bag. This calming sinking sensation is responsible for soothing anxiety and body and joint pain and even improving moods in adults and children.

As mentioned above, anti-anxiety bean bags are filled with responsive high-density beads. This filling is much more flexible and lighter than the filling found in regular bean bag chairs. This soft, comfortable, and light design is precisely how the bean bag works.

The bean bag has adaptive flexibility and intuitive ergonomic support. Therefore, you can trust that the tension in your body will melt away. Many people have described laying in this bean bag chair as what they imagine sitting on a cloud would feel like.

Why You Should Get a Bean Bag Chair if You Suffer from Anxiety

If you struggle with anxiety or have difficulty relaxing, it would be a great idea to try anti-anxiety bean bag chairs. These bean bags can also be found in physiotherapy clinics, psychology clinics, and even facilities for individuals dealing with autism and common disorders.

Upon their introduction into popular use, occupational therapists were one of the first to adopt them. Seeing as they provide a sense of comfort and safety, these professionals agree that helping their patients is a lot easier. People are more likely to talk, ease their tension, and make progress while engaging with a specialist.

For people who have autism, anti-anxiety bean bag chairs can be specifically helpful. The soft and alterable shape of the bean bag chairs gives such patients a sense of control as they adjust and relax to this new but welcoming environment. Cushions, mats, manual cable raisers, and even sofas are now quickly being replaced by bean bag chairs.

Professional who works with patients that deal with varying degrees of anxiety agree to attest to the usefulness of bean bag chairs for anxiety. They are known for relaxing the stressed mind by regulating emotions and calming the nervous system.

These bean bag chairs are so versatile and popularly appreciated. They can also be used by pregnant women who find traditional furniture uncomfortable. They can also be used to calm distressed pregnant women who are training for childbirth.

People who also suffer from a lot of unresolved tension knotted in their joints and muscles can use this. They come in different shapes, sizes, and colors, and you can get one that best suits your tastes and needs. Floatation therapy with this type of bean bag chair might be what you need.

In this article, we will discuss the meaning of dental anxiety, indications you have dental anxiety, triggers of dental anxiety, and tips on overcoming the fear of dental visits or dental treatment.

Dentist anxiety, also called dental anxiety, is that feeling of nervousness or uneasiness whenever you’re going to visit the dentist. You can overcome this fear by taking medications for anxiety or distracting yourself from what’s going on. It also helps to find a trustworthy dentist who gives you individual attention.

Dental Anxiety

This term is also referred to as dental phobia or dental fear (dentophobia). Dental anxiety is the feeling of intense discomfort, nervousness, fear, or even panic when you have a dental appointment or dental procedure.

Although dental anxiety in children is more severe than adult anxiety, all people with this condition dread the same when going to the dentist.

It comes in different degrees. For some, it can be mild, while for others, it can be pronounced and extreme. It is also a prevalent condition as a lot of people dread being on the dental chair.

Because of this phobia, a lot of people avoid going for dental care. They can procrastinate or put it on hold for a long time. They only decide to check their oral health when they experience severe pain or have a dental condition that can only be addressed by going to the dentist.

Unknown to many people, fear of going to the dentist and putting your dental care on hold can have consequences. Such health issues include cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, premature delivery, and even diabetes.

Good oral health is key to avoiding other health complications and can only be achieved by going to the dentist regularly. It can be achieved by a regular dental cleaning, examinations, and other procedures that keep your teeth strong and healthy.

So what are the indications that you have dental anxiety?

Indications You Have Dental Anxiety

Experiencing one or two of these indications is not enough to say that you have dental anxiety. However, if the thought of a dental experience makes you exhibit a good number of them, then you have dental anxiety.

They include:

1. Lower blood pressure
2. Fainting
3. Uncomfortable feeling in your stomach
4. Enhanced heart rate
5. Sweating
6. Hyperventilating or experiencing shortness of breath
7. Panic attacks
8. Shaking
9. Crying
10. Not being able to sleep before the day you’re supposed to see your dentist
11. Total discomfort

Triggers of Dental Anxiety

People have different reasons why they get uncomfortable or panic at the thought of visiting the dentist. Some of these reasons may be related to the appointment, while others have no connection whatsoever.

Below are some of the reasons people with this condition fear the dentist:

Negative Events in the Past

Specific negative experiences are the reasons why some people have dental anxiety. Such an individual doesn’t even have to hear the sound of the drill to feel such fear. They can experience it through watching a horror movie during childhood or watching the activities of a creepy dentist.

Such an experience is enough to alter your perception of what happens at the dentist’s and makes you develop such anxiety.

Feeling a Loss of Control

People with this condition find it difficult to stay calm or get comfortable once they’re at the dentist. Because of this, they’re not willing to allow the dentist to carry out their procedure on their teeth.

Having a Phobia of Anesthetics and the Effects of their Usage

Some people with this condition are scared of anesthetics such as laughing gas or nitrous oxide, frequently used during a dentist’s appointment.

Aside from numbness which is commonly experienced, certain people feel other effects such as being drowsy, nauseous, and faint.

For others, it can be more severe. For example, it can be tongue swelling, pain in their muscles, ear, or joints, enhanced thirst, and drooling.

Experiencing the abovementioned effects when anesthetics were used on you is enough to trigger dental anxiety.

Other Types of Phobias

While this doesn’t directly trigger dental anxiety, it can trigger the fear you feel when you’re about to go to the dentist. Other types of phobias include claustrophobia (phobia of small or confined spaces), agoraphobia (phobia of crowded places), and so on.

Certain Sounds that can Trigger Dental Phobia

Admittedly, the sound of the drill can unnerve you. You may be thinking, “Is this thing entering my mouth?” Such a sound is enough to trigger your fear.

Tips on How to Overcome Dental Anxiety

Knowing exactly what triggers your anxiety is a big step to learning how to overcome or, at the very least, cope with it. The following ways show you how to manage this anxiety.

Meditation

While having a dental procedure or dental visit, deep breathing can help you cope with your anxiety. You can stay calm and composed.

IV Sedation

Sedation dentistry is one way to help anxious patients. They simply sleep through the procedure and are spared the “agony” of watching the dentist work on their teeth.

Hand Gestures

You can indicate to the dentist when you’re feeling uncomfortable or overwhelmed by raising your hand to signal them to stop or pause the procedure. This way, you don’t feel out of control.

Talking to the Dentist

Talking about your fears is a great way to cope with them. It’s like a relief, and it reduces some of the tension about the procedure. So, do not hesitate to tell your dentist how you’re feeling. They can offer great advice on how to stayed and that the process is not as scary as it seems.

Be Very Intentional with your Oral Health

Being very thorough with your oral health is one great way to cope with your dental anxiety. People with good oral health only go for minor examinations and checkups. No invasive procedures are needed.

Listening to Music

Music has an undeniable therapeutic effect on people. For example, listening to low-pitched soothing music can help you feel at ease while the dentist is at work.

Taking Anxiety Medications Before Going to the Dentist

You can also opt for anxiety medications if you experience dental anxiety. You can take some medication just before your appointment or before the actual procedure starts. The medication will help calm your nerves and help you overcome or cope with dental anxiety for the time being.