Anxiety - A Peri Pandemic?

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Anxiety is one of the most common symptoms I see in women during perimenopause and menopause. And while there’s often a hormonal component, it’s rarely just about hormones.

In my last post, we talked about how unstable blood sugar can drive anxiety by pushing your body into stress mode. But that’s only one piece of the puzzle. There are several other - often hidden - reasons your body may be fueling those anxious feelings.

Here are a few you might not have considered:

1. Chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation - When you live in “fight or flight” for too long, your body forgets how to come back to calm. High cortisol over time depletes magnesium and B vitamins, leaving you even more prone to anxiety, poor sleep, and fatigue.

My colleague Leslie Urbas actually has a great mini course that helps you reset your nervous system: Reset Your Nervous System and feel like you again  - Reset your nervous system in this do it yourself tool building course to reverse the effects of perimenopause, stress, health anxiety, life anxiety and more.

2. Poor gut health - Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are chemicals that are produced by some (not so good) bacteria in your gut and can cause an acute inflammatory response. LPS has been associated with anxiety and depression.

3. Toxins and inflammation - Exposure to mold, heavy metals, or even everyday chemicals can increase neuroinflammation, disrupt hormones, and alter neurotransmitters - all of which can increase anxiety.

4. Nutrient deficiencies - Are a source of stress for your body and brain and especially a lack of minerals like magnesium, amino acids and B-Vitamins can increase anxiety. 

In my article Avoid These Triggers for Anxiety, I go deeper into how these factors interact - and how to start identifying what your biggest personal triggers might be.

And once you know what’s driving it, the next step is supporting your body back to calm.That doesn’t always mean supplements or medication - it’s often the small, daily habits that retrain your nervous system and help your body feel safe again.

In 5 Things to Do Against Anxiety, I share simple but powerful tools that can shift your body out of stress mode - from mindful breathing and nourishment to specific nutrients that support calm.

If you’ve been feeling more anxious lately, know that your body isn’t betraying you - it’s communicating. Once you learn to decode those signals, you can start addressing the root causes and finally find lasting calm.