Natural Supplements for Anxious Teens

The teenage years are scary enough without experiencing anxiety too. There is so much growth in so little time and so much academic pressure today. Sometimes, your kid is not just ready for all they have on their plate. 

Some young children mature faster than others, resulting in confusion for parents in terms of how much they can handle, as well as what they can handle. Kids who peak physically early may feel the pressure to be more mature and to “live up to their visual age.” Meanwhile, some slower developing tweens may fear getting left behind if they don’t keep up with their faster moving peers.

Complicating matters is that one out of eight teens experience generalized anxiety disorder. They experience a lot of internal worries and can be sensitive. They’re like fragile glass that could break when mishandled.

When anxious, people are prone to negative thinking. When faced with uncertainty, they imagine the worst possible scenario. They might even experience intrusive thoughts about people not liking them, strangers judging them, and failing at every task. 

They are less present in their surroundings because they often worry about things going bad. That means they can appear unfocused and distracted. You might even notice a dip in their grades or their sleep being shortchanged because they are taking longer or in some way struggling to complete their homework.

Anxiety is so commonplace that it is openly talked about in popular media. In the series, “Healing Powers of Dude,” Noah’s dog, Dude, broke his father’s statue, so he enlists his friends to help him fix it. As they try to fix the sculpture, Noah imagines terrible things happening. His father’s career is in ruins. His mom is leaving his dad. His sister being forced into child labor. 

That is what someone who is a negative thinker who always thinks the worst case scenario does and it just adds fuel to the fire of anxiety.

Helping Teens with Feelings of Anxiety

Fortunately, there are ways to help kids alleviate anxiety. One of the most important things is open conversation and of course love and acceptance from friends and family.

Teens with anxiety are often more insecure, so they may need assurance and encouragement. A parent has to be careful and not become a life preserver, balancing positive affirmations with an emphasis on your child gaining their own coping skills.

Anxiety looks different from person to person. Sometimes, people with anxiety may leave without reason or quickly “freak out” over small things. It’s essential to be understanding but also to encourage problem-solving. It’s good to express your belief in their abilities and strengths, but also cue them on how to manage uncomfortable sensations and thoughts.

Nutrition for Teenage Anxiety

You are what you eat. More than just a feel-good quote, this phrase has great significance in terms of your mental health. 

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The right food can calm the brain and lower stress and anxiety.

Your body is in a constant process of creating new cells. Your skin regenerates every 27 days. Your liver regenerates every five years, and your bones every ten. This may be surprising but your body is made up of the food you consumed within the last ten years.

So, before you eat anything, think about its impact on your functioning.

Essential Minerals and Vitamins Mental Health

Just as Omega-3 Fatty Acids directly impact heart health and vitamin E gives you glowing skin, certain nutrients support brain function and the lack of which can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and brain fog.

Here are some food and natural supplements that calm the brain and reduce anxiety.

Food and Natural Supplements for Teenage Anxiety

Numerous clinical trials worldwide have seen that certain natural remedies are as effective as prescription medications, and are even safer.

Mental and physical health problems are often caused by compounded stress and nutrient deficiencies, thus, taking stress-relieving supplements and other vitamins, minerals, and natural treatments can improve mental health.

Meanwhile, anti-anxiety medications might proclaim to reduce feeling stressed, but they also come with a host of side effects including:

• blurry vision
• confusion
• dizziness
• drowsiness or fatigue
• headaches
• loss of memory or concentration
• problems with balance, coordination, or speech
• upset stomach

It is important for parents to realize that vitamins and minerals can help calm the brain and keep the body healthy without the side-effects that can impact the developing brain of a teen.

Magnesium for Calm Brain

Magnesium fuels around 300 bodily functions. This includes regulating the body’s stress response, supporting the nervous system and metabolism, synthesizing antioxidants like glutathione, and maintaining cognitive function, attention, and desirable social behavior. 

Magnesium is in demand within the body and is bound to get depleted. Unfortunately, most Americans have a magnesium deficiency. We are living very busy lives and stress depletes this essential nutrient.

What happens if people don’t get all the necessary vitamins and minerals?

There is a strong link between low essential nutrient intake and the risk of developing cancers, heart diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis, and depression.

Magnesium shortage is heavily linked to mental health issues, including anxiety, OCD and depression. 

Meanwhile, supplementing with magnesium leads to lower stress levels, better sleep, high energy levels, and a calm disposition. For this reason, it was referred to either as the best anti stress supplement or best calm supplement by many experts. 

Magnesium is among the safest supplements for stress regulation.  It’s incredible how magnesium acts so fast in the body. Most people feel calmer within minutes. 

You can also increase your magnesium levels by eating nuts, avocados, and legumes. School-age kids often enjoy seeds like sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, and flax, which are high in magnesium. 

Omega 3 Fatty Acids for Learning and Memory

Omega 3 Fatty Acids, present in flaxseeds and fish oil, are famous for their positive effects on heart health, including normalizing blood pressure. 

However, Omega 3 Fatty Acids are also helpful in learning and memory, as they help build brain and nerve cells. They slow down age-related mental decline and ward off Alzheimer’s disease.

Research shows us that an Omega 3 deficiency can lead to ADHD, anxiety and depression symptoms. 

The supplement is deemed safe for children when given in appropriate doses. Omega-3 is the best natural anti anxiety supplement for kids. When choosing Omega-3 supplements for your child, ensure they contain EPA and DHA. 

Omega 3 Fatty Acids are naturally present in cold water, oily fish. Eating two servings a week can improve your heart health. 

B Vitamin Complex for Stress-Relief

There are thousands of diseases worldwide, 90% of which are caused by stress. 70% of all physician visits are stress related.

Stress is a feeling of emotional and physical tension. As we strive to grow in school or work, we face the constant need to improve and adapt to change, and this can push us to a breaking point. 

People under stressful situations experience mental and physical symptoms, such as anger, digestive troubles, fatigue, irritability, muscle pain, panic attacks, and sleeplessness.

Stress is a common trigger for anxiety. Managing stress is essential to remaining healthy and productive. The story of evolution is a story of adaptation to stress. Only those who were able to adapt through painful changes continued to thrive. 

Stress has become an accepted part of daily life, yet most do little to counter it. 

While challenges are unavoidable, proper nutrition, sleep, and exercise can help combat stress. 

B Vitamins play an important role in reducing stress and decreasing symptoms of anxiety.

There are 8 B Vitamins