Did you know that people who are unhealthy or physically weaker than average actually experience more anxiety in their lives? And it’s not because they’re concerned about being ill. It’s because when your body is physically weak, your brain automatically becomes more alert to threats in the environment. And it happens this way because the weaker you are physically, the more time you’d need to be able to flee to safety in the case of a threat. It’s part of our survival mechanism: People who are less physically healthy or fit actually perceive the world through a more anxiety-provoking lens because their survival “threat-detector” is activated more frequently during day-to-day activities. It happens so in the event of danger they’d have more time to flee.

Solution: Eat healthier foods that make you mentally and physically stronger. Also, take probiotics (the good stomach bacteria that’s in yogurt) because it’s shown that a lack of this bacteria can also lead to anxiety. Also, work out, do yoga, walk, jog…anything that can help you build some strength for your physical body. Not only will it make you happier by releasing positive endorphins, but it’ll also balance your body (biochemistry, etc) making you less anxious overall.