My Anxiety & Panic Attacks Decreased After Switching to Low-Tox Products: Calming the Storm by Reducing Chemicals & Toxins

NO SCIENCE TALK, JUST PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

I didn't look into studies or research articles for this post. This is a raw glimpse into my struggle with panic and anxiety... what I can put into words as a shifting, sneaky entity that can entangle every ounce of you in a split second without rhyme or reason. I've also learned it relies on precise triggers too, places, stimuli (physical and environmental), thoughts, and things that call its name to awaken it.

ONE OF MANY CONTRIBUTORS

Lifestyle, sleep deficits, daily stressors, predispositions in health, relationships, hardships... all of the woes and character builders that our existence entails contribute to our state of being. I would be naive to believe that my wellbeing, in its entirety, rests solely on whether or not my soap has chemicals, but I can lay out my account of reducing exposure to chemicals and toxins in my home and the uncanny decrease in my body's propensity toward anxiety and panic attacks. Naturally, it is up to science to make the connection and conclusion, but most importantly it is up to you to discern if my account speaks to you.

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Still Waters: How I Reduced Toxins & Chemical Load to Calm Anxiety & Panic Attacks | Gradually Making Low-Tox Switches

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What My Panic Looks Like

THE FAMILIAR FACE OF ANXIETY

My panic always starts with a heightened state of anxiety. I can't discern whether my heart is racing faster than my thoughts or if my thoughts are outpacing my heart. A disorienting hyper-awareness of the shift in my mind & body replaces being of sound mind & body interacting normally in my environment. Corrective thinking makes a valiant attempt... I can't let this escalate, stop thinking about it, take deep breaths, what were those breathing techniques, apply physical pressure somewhere to redirect what you're feeling, is anyone noticing the shift in me, what if I can't control this, why are those breathing techniques not working, should I step away, what's the escape plan.

FULL BLOWN PANIC

If my anxiety doesn't subside, I'm on a direct flight to a panic attack, no way out, at which point things take a more serious turn. The intense beating and rapid rate of my heart is superhuman, my palms are soaked with sweat, my thoughts are consumed by my worst fears, I have tingling in my neck and spine that is unnerving, I'm trembling and dizzy, I'm trapped, I may get sick at any moment, I can't catch my breath or swallow, and my instincts kick into overdrive to find fresh air and get as far away from where I currently am, as if I could outrun what was overrunning me. This remains a knockout, drag out fight for 10 to 20 minutes, sometimes longer, sometimes shorter... but every time feeling like an eternity while praying for the come-down to set in. Panic is a spiteful foe, however, and may come back in a stronger wave or two after you think you're okay extending the whole episode into what could be a dreadful hour.

IS IT OVER?

During the come-down, I experience shivering and excessive involuntary muscle spasms as a result of the fight or flight reaction that was initiated by my nervous system. This feedback to my brain is interpreted as if I am still in trouble, which can restart the loop. Once my body rescues me from the cycle, it takes hours to recalibrate from the physiological shifts that were induced by this intense stress response. My thoughts need coaching in the aftermath too. I can't let myself get caught up in fearing a reoccurrence.

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Is Panic Cookie-Cutter?

I UNDERSTAND THE BURDEN

Does panic present the same in everyone? We can read the brilliant research for better understanding and thank our lucky stars that we have loved ones to support us. The symptomology of my panic attacks may be textbook or perhaps I share only a few similarities with others who experience them. My heart goes out to those of you who courageously take them on or know someone who does. Panic attacks, along with what triggers them, may be as unique to each of us as the stars in the sky, but they are part of a universe that we unfortunately share and uniquely understand.

QUIET THE STORM

My personal conviction is to manage without medication, a choice that is as unique as the affliction itself. My conviction is not a recommendation nor is it laced with intention to influence such a personal decision. There is beauty in making choices that best suit us. Without reliance on said interventions, a desire came to be, a desire to gain understanding of what gives this thing life in me. The debilitating and terrifying nature of this little beast fed my desire to slow them, stop them, make them less frequent, less intense if possible, and most importantly share any discoveries.

A TOOL NOT A SOLUTION

It is on my heart to emphasize again that this is my personal account. I do not take this topic lightly. This is not a medically backed opinion or diagnosis in any way, shape, or form. I do not believe it's as simple as making a few life choices. I very much appreciate that it cannot be stripped down to something as flippant. I am not rid of panic attacks or anxiety. I'm finding ways to calm them.

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How I Started Reducing Chemicals & Toxins

AN UNASSUMING BEGINNING

I was looking for healthier choices overall. The more you learn about what's in food, drinks, textiles, home care, skin care, the air for that matter, it strikes so many of us to correct what we can once we are aware that something has a harmful nature. Toothpaste, of all things, was the first household item that I was determined to swap for a more low-tox version. It's been a few years, and honestly, I can't even give an accurate account as to why toothpaste kicked things off, but let's go.

SNOWBALL OF PRODUCTS

Laundry detergent, bar soap, hand soap, and lotion were next to enter the trial-and-error game. I intuitively moved to these products next since they were the items that I came into contact with most in my daily routine. Laundry soap and hand soap needed more attention than the others. It was hard to find brands that worked that were also enjoyable to use. Now that my Spidey Senses were alert, what else had a presence in my home... candles. This one was eye opening as I came to learn about VOCs and so forth. I moved right into cookware, skincare, and shampoo & conditioner (these two also proved to be tough cookies for which to find viable swaps). Trials were overlapping with trials. Things were moving. Brands of tea & coffee, and the means by which I brewed them, were also explored alongside the household items.

You can pick one thing at a time, or one thing period. It means less chemicals and less toxins either way, so you did good. Making low-tox switches may not be the saving grace to calm everyone's anxiety and panic, but reducing your exposure to harmful things is a big deal and may bring other unexpected benefits, so yes, you definitely did good.

FOOD DESERVES A QUICK MENTION

Food is an entirely separate factor that requires a much deeper dive. It is not the main character in this post, but I give it a mention because choosing better food was also part of my switches & swaps story.

A FEW COMMON TIPS

• Eat less processed/packaged foods

• Choose organic when you can

• Avoid microplastics

  • Teabags, K-Cups, water bottles

  • Standard table salt

  • Microwavable meals, food storage

• Look for non-GMO

• Skip foods w/ high sodium & added sugars

• Cut out things you can't pronounce

  • Additives & preservatives

• Avoid synthetic dyes

• Avoid bioengineered foods (lab modified DNA)

  • All bioengineered foods are GMO

  • Not all GMOs are bioengineered

• Cook with healthier oils

• Limit sugary drinks

• Limit fast food

Certainly, these tips only scratch the surface in overhauling your pantry, but they are some good commonly used practices, nonetheless.

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Making the Connection: Did Switching to Low-Tox Inadvertently Decrease My Panic Attacks?

A BEAUTIFUL MISTAKE

Something so beautiful couldn't be a mistake. I admit that my initial intention was to get the toxins and chemicals out of my home for obvious reasons, the ones I could do something about of course. What I didn't know was the beauty of what was to come. As I approached almost a year of switching out items (swaps are still ongoing to this day), I drew a parallel to the decrease in frequency and intensity of my panic attacks.

I BELIEVE IT TO BE TRUE

Life is so gorgeously dynamic. We evolve in countless facets of our lives all while doing a dance with every single internal & external factor that molds who we are. Anything and everything could have contributed to or shifted the nature of what I was struggling with, but I believe in my heart of hearts, however, there is a connection that can be made. Reducing the chemical load on my body has given it better access to its faculties and a fighting chance to do what it was so beautifully designed to do and that is no accident. Other than time and a whole lot of trying, failing, and trying some more, this process has cost me nothing, but it has given me a reward on which I cannot place a price... calming the storm.

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If you'd like to explore some of the beautiful brands I use, come on over to COLLECTION WYLD.