{"id":442,"date":"2022-03-14T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-14T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.csun.edu\/nutritionexperts\/?p=442"},"modified":"2022-03-14T22:54:00","modified_gmt":"2022-03-15T05:54:00","slug":"stressed-anxious-food-and-exercise-can-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.csun.edu\/nutritionexperts\/2022\/03\/14\/stressed-anxious-food-and-exercise-can-help\/","title":{"rendered":"Stressed? Anxious? Food and Exercise Can Help"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By: Lauren Zech, CSUN Dietetic Intern Cohort 2020-2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You have probably heard the saying \u201cmind over matter\u201d. It basically means that if you are in the right mindset, you can overcome anything. But what happens when your mind is scrambled? What if you are swamped with assignments and have to study for exams while balancing work with your personal life. What is you have an upcoming interview that you are\u00a0extremely nervous for? When you are stressed or anxious, your mind can lose its capability to think clearly and make decisions. If this occurs repeatedly, you can\u00a0be\u00a0left feeling down and lost. However, there may be a simple fix to this problem. The fix is so simple that you already include it in your daily routine. That\u2019s right! Certain foods\u00a0and exercise\u00a0can help combat stress and anxiety. Let me explain how.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Gut-Brain Axis <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your body is an interconnected web of many systems that all operate in order to keep us functioning day in and day out. One important relationship is the\u00a0bidirectional\u00a0one between your brain and your gut. Researchers\u00a0call this the\u00a0\u201cgut-brain axis\u201d\u00a0\u2013\u00a0a very complex system that\u00a0allows your central nervous system (i.e., brain and spinal cord) to communicate with a specific part of your autonomic nervous system located in your digestive tract.1<\/sup>\u00a0The gut-brain axis explains\u00a0how your brain and gut interact when your body is introduced to some type of stress.\u00a0Interestingly enough, the bacteria found in your intestines is really important!\u00a0These\u00a0bacteria\u00a0are\u00a0part of your microbiome, which encompasses all of the\u00a0microscopic\u00a0organisms that work hard to\u00a0keep your body functioning properly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neurotransmitters  <\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that the majority of the chemicals that signal emotions and feelings are made in your gut? Serotonin, responsible for feelings of happiness, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which controls feelings of anxiety and fear, are primarily produced in your gut. Researchers believe that a healthy gut and proper nutrient intake can help produce these neurotransmitters and help keep them in balance.2<\/sup> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following foods contain essential nutrients for the creation of neurotransmitters:3<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n