I sometimes experience anxiety, and after many years I came to realize that some of my triggers can be quite subtle! In my coaching work, I have seen that these same triggers are experienced by many other people
Here are several subtle triggers for anxiety that you may not be aware of. Keep in mind, these triggers are through the lens of my own experiences – they aren’t an absolute truth. So take what resonates with you and leave the rest.
1. Impact of food
As per Ayurveda, our digestive system fuels our body. We use food to build tissues, remove toxins AND harness energy to process our daily experiences. If the quality of food we consume is sub-par, our ability to process our experiences will be sub-par too – sometimes leading to anxiety.
To be more specific, I have come to realize that the following food items can increase or trigger anxiety:
MSG: Research has linked MSG to anxiety as well as insomnia. Unfortunately, it’s added to many cuisines. Does that mean I stop eating out? No. But it does mean I research cuisines where I’m more likely to encounter MSG and set certain boundaries.
Artificial flavors and colors: For the longest time I thought that sugar triggered my anxiety, only to realize it was actually the added artificial flavors and coloring often found in sugary foods.
Eating homemade goods baked from coconut sugar did NOT trigger my anxiety. M&Ms did.
I’ve since limited foods with unrecognizable ingredients, and it’s made a noticeable difference in my emotional well-being. So, read those labels and stick with products whose ingredients you can pronounce and understand!
Meat: Anxiety can be an indication that we aren’t living our lives in alignment with our values. Eating other living beings stopped being aligned with my value system. There is justification for me to consume an animal just because I am a more powerful creature.
It’s possible to get key vitamins and minerals from pescatarian and vegetarian food. For example, black gram is a rich source of iron, hemp seeds are high in omega 3, and chickpeas are an excellent source of protein. I want to reiterate that this is a personal choice and if it doesn’t resonate with you – that’s okay.
2. Inability to say NO
Saying no can be a powerful tool for managing anxiety. I've found immense relief by learning to set boundaries. Here's how you can implement this in your life:
Identify Priorities: Consciously identify the key activities or routines in your life that contribute to your well-being. Prioritize them, and give yourself permission to say no to other obligations. It might be challenging initially, but over time, it contributes to a happier and more grounded self.
Unravel Discomfort: In today’s society, with so many expectations and norms, it’s not uncommon to be uncomfortable saying no. Working with a therapist or coach can help you understand the root causes of that discomfort, making it easier to navigate and empowering you to make positive changes.
3. Expecting perfection
Oh, this is a juicy one! We live in a world of social media that inundates us with perfect-looking snippets of other people’s lives. Perfect homes, perfect plate settings, perfect work-life balance, even perfect spirituality (that itself is so ironic!). It’s all just for display, but it can create unrealistic expectations and trigger anxiety.
Behind the need to be perfect usually lies a fear of failure and of being judged by others. Let me help you by clearing one thing up – no one is perfect. NOBODY. Certainly not the people posting apparently perfect snippets on social media.
Not even that person you look up to. And thank God for that! What a boring, organized, unlived experience this life would be if we all walked around with perfect stories and events. We are meant to mess up, get up, and evolve. So, embrace doing things imperfectly. If people judge, it reflects their own struggles; it's not a reflection of your worth.
4. Need to be liked
This was a hard one for me personally. My parents doted on me, my teachers loved me, my friends liked me. I grew up thinking that my microcosm was representative of the world.
But if you have lived life, you know that there will be times when people will not like you and will not align with your values. Even family members.
Learning to accept that as reality will make life easier and remove the anxiety of figuring out a way to be liked/accepted. You are absolutely perfect the way you are, and your tribe will evolve over time.
For wellness or life coaching, schedule a discovery session with me.
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