The Root Causes of Anxiety: Understanding Your Body’s Stress Response

Anxiety is often seen as a mental health condition, but at its core, it is your body's natural response to stress. When you feel anxious, your body is reacting to an external stressor, whether it’s a looming deadline, an argument with a loved one, or an overwhelming schedule. However, chronic anxiety isn’t just about external factors—it’s a sign that your body is struggling to keep up with internal imbalances, particularly in your adrenal glands and cortisol levels.

The Role of Your Adrenal Glands in Stress

Your adrenal glands, located above your kidneys, play a crucial role in regulating your body’s stress response. When you encounter stress, your adrenal glands release cortisol, the primary stress hormone, to help your body cope. Cortisol increases blood sugar levels, suppresses digestion and immune function, and prepares your body for the classic “fight or flight” response.

While cortisol is essential for survival, problems arise when stress becomes chronic. If your body is constantly exposed to stress, your adrenal glands produce excessive amounts of cortisol. Over time, this leads to an overworked system, causing the symptoms of anxiety—racing thoughts, rapid heartbeat, restlessness, and even digestive issues. I compare it to having your car in neutral while pushing the gas pedal to the floor...you rev up your engine, use up all your gas, overwork your car, but don't get anywhere.

The Cortisol-Anxiety Connection

If cortisol levels remain high for too long, your body struggles to maintain balance, leading to adrenal fatigue. Eventually, your adrenal glands may become depleted (no more fuel), resulting in low cortisol levels. When this happens, you may experience the opposite of anxiety—symptoms of burnout and depression, including fatigue, brain fog, and no motivation. This cycle of high and then depleted cortisol is a key reason why anxiety and depression often go hand in hand.

Anxiety and Depression: More Than Just Brain Chemistry

Traditional western medicine focuses on anxiety and depression as imbalances in brain chemistry, leading to prescriptions for antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. While these medications can provide temporary relief, they do not address the root cause of the problem—adrenal dysfunction and nutrient depletion.

At Roots Wholistic Health, we take a functional medicine approach to anxiety, recognizing that these symptoms are signals from your body, not just a chemical imbalance in your brain. By supporting adrenal function and replenishing key nutrients, we can help your body regain balance naturally.

Natural Alternatives to Anxiety Medication

Rather than masking symptoms, it’s important to nourish your body in ways that support healthy cortisol production and nervous system regulation. Here are some effective natural alternatives to help ease anxiety:

1. Supportive Supplements:

• Magnesium – Helps relax the nervous system and ease muscle tension.

• Methylated B Complex Vitamins – Essential for energy production and stress resilience.

• Adaptogenic Herbs (Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Holy Basil) – Help regulate cortisol levels.

• L-Theanine – Found in green tea, promotes relaxation without drowsiness.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Support brain function and reduce inflammation.

2. Nutrient-Dense Foods:

• Protein-rich foods (grass-fed beef, wild-caught salmon, pastured eggs) to stabilize blood sugar and support adrenal function.

• Leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables (kale, broccoli, spinach) rich in magnesium and B vitamins.

• Healthy fats (avocados, coconut oil, olives) to support brain health and hormone production.

• Fermented foods (kimchi, sauerkraut, plain yogurt) to support gut health, which plays a role in mental well-being.

3. Lifestyle Habits to Calm Cortisol:

• Prioritize Sleep – Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep to support adrenal recovery.

• Gentle Movement – Incorporate activities like yoga, walking, and stretching at the right times during your cycle, also known as Cycle Syncing.

• Mindfulness & Breath Work – Deep belly breathing, meditation, and journaling can help regulate your nervous system.

• Reduce Caffeine and Sugar – These stimulants can spike cortisol and contribute to the feeling of anxiety.

  
  

The Importance of Functional Medicine Testing

If you’re struggling with anxiety, overwhelm or fatigue, it’s crucial to get to the root of the issue. At Roots Wholistic Health, we offer functional medicine testing to assess your adrenal function and cortisol levels. With saliva and blood testing, we can determine your body's unique stress response and create a personalized plan to restore balance.

By understanding your body's stress response and making intentional choices to support your adrenal health, you can ease anxiety naturally and sustainably. If you’re ready to take control of your health and find lasting relief, schedule a consultation with us today!

To learn more about Cycle Syncing - timing your meals, movement, and mindset according to your hormones, check out my online course Cycle Syncing at my online platform Find Your Fertility with Dr. Alyssa.