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Stress can be helped 'with good nutrition'

Wednesday 27th July 2011

Patients suffering from stress need to keep their diets healthy.

Ann Finnemore, who owns Getting You There, a hypnotherapy and stress management service, said that many people with stress have a risk of turning to habits such as eating badly or smoking in order to cope with their condition.

She suggested that drinking alcohol or coffee and eating highly processed or sugary foods is a danger for stressed patients and can often aggravate the problem.

"Therefore, when in a state of high anxiety or panic, a move to a healthier diet is best, as it will help provide the nutrients required by the body, and will help make the person more resilient to the physical effects of their stress," Ms Finnemore said.

A recent study from researchers at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and the University of Vermont in Burlington showed that exercise can also be a good way to help those with anxiety or depression.

Written by Mathew Horton