HEALTH & WELLNESS
destinations so, when fluid consumption is reduced, this process slows down and blood pressure can drop. This can lead to dizziness and, as the heart tries to raise blood pressure, the quickening heart rate may prompt anxiety. “Get into the habit of starting the day with a hydrating glass of water and try to consume around six to eight glasses a day,” Moore advises.
Reduce caffeine: caffeine is a powerful stimulant designed to keep you alert and energised – but too much can trigger the ‘fight or flight’ response and stimulate the production of adrenaline, causing you to overreact to situations that aren’t actually dangerous. For this reason, caffeine is sometimes described as a ‘silent’ stressor.
Consider the ‘gut-brain axis’: around 95% of serotonin receptors are found in the lining of the gut. Food and drinks that contain probiotics, which promote a healthy gut environment, are increasingly being used to treat mental health issues. For example, studies have looked into the effects of kefir, a yoghurt-like drink rich in probiotics, on the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Add CBD: research suggests that CBD can help the body to process serotonin, aid sleep and alleviate insomnia (both of which can exacerbate feelings of anxiety). Beverage companies are increasingly adding CBD to create innovative products for the health- conscious consumer. Premium CBD brand OTO’s non-alcoholic drinks range has been designed to improve overall well-being by combining optimum-strength CBD, cultivated from organically grown hemp plants, with a bespoke range of botanicals and antioxidants, helping to reduce stress and anxiety, and promote calmness and contentment.
Eliminate alcohol: in times of stress, Moore advises reducing consumption of food and drinks that have a negative impact on bacterial balance in the digestive tract, including sugar and alcohol. “Drinking alcohol reduces the amount of serotonin in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter that helps you to feel calm and happy,” she says. Despite ever- growing concerns over alcohol consumption and a meteoric rise in low and no-alcohol alternatives, shifting away from alcohol can still be a challenge.
Relaxing without alcohol
Lisa Oxenham, beauty and style director at lifestyle magazine Marie Claire, explains why she reaches for a CBD cocktail instead of an alcoholic drink at the end of a long, hard day: “A few years ago, I decided to live an alcohol-free existence. Enough was enough; the negatives far outweighed the positives and the occasional wild, frivolous night was definitely not worth the hangover (or the dehydrated skin and sluggishness that would last for the ensuing week)”.
“At the beginning, it was difficult to break the habit because it was so firmly woven into my social life. During my first period off the booze, I made a concerted effort to chat with others, while sober and realised my interactions quickly became easier,” she continues. “However, there are only so many virgin mojitos and green teas a person can consume, and I still craved a fast relaxation fix, so I started to dabble with CBD. Finally – the perfect post-office tipple for when I want to socialise, celebrate, date or simply relax. After a few, I find myself mellowed, but with clarity (and without a hideous hangover the next day).”
OTO sums up the feeling perfectly: CBD drinks are “for those moments where suddenly everything feels more vivid, more moving,
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