Why Is Anxiety on the Rise?

Anxiety is something many of us face more than ever before. From too much screen time and lack of sun exposure to poor sleep, unbalanced diets, little exercise, and constantly being on the go, it’s no wonder anxiety is on the rise.

It manifests differently in everyone, but the common thread is how uncomfortable and isolating it can be. Anxiety can knock your confidence, make socialising harder, and even spiral into a more depressive state. But don’t worry, there’s so much you can do to help manage it, and that’s what this blog is all about.

Holistic Approaches to Managing Anxiety

Everyone’s approach to managing anxiety is different. What works for one person might not work for another, and that’s perfectly okay. The key is to take a holistic approach, focusing on all areas of your life and making sustainable, small changes. Remember, it’s not about eliminating anxiety overnight, it’s about rewiring your habits and creating peace over time.

Lifestyle:

• Prioritise Sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep. Create a calming bedtime routine, avoid screens before bed, and work on improving your sleep hygiene.

• Limit Screen Time & Social Media: Excessive screen time can overstimulate your mind and heighten anxiety. Set limits and build more mindful, offline habits.

• Practice Mindfulness & Meditation: Engage in daily mindfulness practices, like meditation, journaling, or deep breathing, to calm your mind and reduce stress.

• Exercise Regularly: Activities like yoga, walking, or strength training release endorphins and help regulate cortisol, the body’s stress hormone.

Nutrition:

• Omega 3s: Found in salmon, mackerel, flaxseeds, walnuts and chia seeds, these fatty acids support brain health and mood regulation.

• Reduce Caffeine & Sugar: These stimulants can mimic anxiety symptoms. Swap them for herbal teas and balanced meals to stabilise your energy.

• Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can heighten stress and anxiety, so ensure you drink enough water throughout the day.

• Probiotics: Eat yogurt, kefir, or sauerkraut to support gut health. A healthy gut is linked to reduced anxiety due to the gut-brain connection.

• Magnesium and B Vitamin Rich Foods: Include spinach, almonds, avocados, dark chocolate, whole grains, eggs, leafy greens, and legumes to calm the nervous system, support brain health, and reduce mood imbalances linked to anxiety.

If these lifestyle changes feel overwhelming, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for support. We’re here to help you find what works for you.

Supplements for Anxiety:

While diet and lifestyle are the foundation of anxiety management, we also highly recommend a couple of key supplements - Magnesium and B Complex - to provide additional support. These are staple supplements that many of our customers (and us personally!) have found to make a big impact.

Magnesium Bisglycinate: The Calm Mineral

Magnesium is the wonder mineral we rave about regularly. The specific form we recommend for anxiety relief is magnesium bisglycinate, a highly absorbable form of magnesium combined with glycine, an amino acid known for its calming effects. 

This type of magnesium is gentle on the stomach (no digestive discomfort!) and is particularly effective at lowering cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone. 

It also activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping your body relax and unwind. On top of that, it helps regulate blood sugar levels, which is key to maintaining a steady, calm state of mind.

Our Terranova Magnesium Complex blends magnesium with B6, which supports the nervous system and boosts serotonin—the ‘happy hormone’ that also leads to melatonin production for better sleep. 

This blend also includes green oat seed, known for its stress relieving properties, alongside other herbs to support liver health and enhance overall vitality.

B Vitamins: Essential Support for the Nervous System

B vitamins, especially those in our Terranova B Complex with Vitamin C, are essential for anxiety support. This complex includes all eight B vitamins, each playing a key role in regulating the nervous system. 

For example, B6 enhances serotonin production, while B12 is critical for maintaining nervous system health. Folate helps produce neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, both vital for mood regulation, and also supports gut health - a key factor in anxiety, mood, and depression.

The inclusion of Vitamin C is absolutely key during stressful times. Stored in the adrenal glands, Vitamin C is rapidly depleted when cortisol levels rise, making it especially important during anxious times.

While we could go on about the many benefits of this B Complex for anxiety, here are a few standout ingredients in the blend:

• Rhodiola: An adaptogen that works with B vitamins to enhance resilience against stress.

• Ashwagandha: Calms the nervous system and regulates cortisol levels.

• Inositol: Helps balance blood sugar, reducing feelings of anxiety and overwhelm.

• Siberian Ginseng: Improves mental and physical performance while supporting energy.

• Choline: Essential for brain health, liver detoxification and nervous system support. 

• Dandelion: Supports liver detoxification which helps remove excess stress hormones.

This B complex doesn’t just boost your mood, it also supports energy, resilience, and even gut health - all factors closely tied to mental wellbeing.

Herbal Support: Calm Your Anxiety Bundle

Introducing the power of herbs with two of the most popular adaptogens - Saffron and Ashwagandha - which are found in our Calm Your Anxiety Bundle. We often combine adaptogenic herbs with vitamins and minerals to create a holistic approach that gives your body what it needs to truly thrive.

• Saffron Bioactive Affron Extract: Though less well known than ashwagandha, saffron shows great potential as an incredible mood enhancing herb.
  
  Clinical studies show that saffron can significantly boost serotonin levels to help regulate mood, reduce cortisol, lower inflammation, and even improve sleep quality. Its powerful antioxidant, crocin, also works to protect brain function, offering relief from feelings of stress and tension.
  
  Saffron is becoming a go to for those seeking natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals, especially when managing anxiety and depression. We recommend our Bioactive Affron Extract, the most researched saffron extract available, clinically proven to deliver results at the effective 30mg dose.
  
  
• Bioactive Ashwagandha: You may be more familiar with ashwagandha, as it’s a bit of a trendy supplement nowadays. However, this herb has a history that goes back hundreds, if not thousands, of years as a staple in Ayurvedic medicine. 
  
  This traditional herb is well known for its ability to regulate cortisol and help the body adapt to stress, whether emotional or physical.
  
  Ashwagandha isn’t just about stress relief, it’s also the top choice herb for vitality and overall health. It supports energy levels, enhances concentration, improves sleep, boosts fertility, and even increases libido, all of which can be affected during stressful times.
  
  Our Bioactive Ashwagandha is clinically proven to manage stress naturally, making it perfect for anxiety support.

Prioritise Your Mental Health with Natural Support

In our fast-paced world, it’s all too easy to let your mental health slip down the list of priorities. But taking care of yourself is the most important thing you can do, not only for you but also for those around you. How you choose to do this is personal, but if there’s one takeaway from this blog, let it be to make yourself a priority, even if it’s just a little more each day. 

Our message is simple, be kind to yourself. Incorporate small lifestyle changes, nourishing foods, and powerful supplements like Magnesium, B Complex, Saffron, and Ashwagandha, as found in our Calm Your Anxiety bundle, to support both your mind and body, which are working hard every day to keep you balanced. Your mental health matters, and by putting your wellbeing first, you can create a more peaceful, balanced, and joyful life.