Sometimes I get so anxious I make myself sick to my stomach. That happened this weekend/week because my partner and I adopted a dog. Her name is Maisy. She is very cute and a good girl. And honestly, it’s going really well. Even my cat seems to be adjusting just fine.

But it is still a huge adjustment. It’s a lot of responsibility, and I don’t do well with change. Duh, I have OCD. So my anxiety has been through the roof. I feel like my nerves are shot. Oh, and I’ve had a head cold and didn’t get enough sleep (because anxiety). Often, on a scale of 1-10, I’ve been at a 10 anxiety level.

Mental and physical health are, of course, connected. Being consistently at this level of anxiety for several days makes my stomach super upset. When my stomach is upset, naturally I don’t want to eat as much, if at all. The thought of eating only makes me more nauseous.

The problem is being hungry is one of the biggest triggers for my anxiety. When I’m hungry, I get anxious. Being anxious makes my stomach upset. So then I don’t eat enough. Which not eating enough makes me more anxious. Which being anxious makes my stomach upset. And you see how this can cycle.

It can be hard to catch myself in the cycle though because in the moment, I don’t actually feel all that hungry. The hunger cues are very much suppressed by the anxiety and upset stomach. My body knows it needs food, but the message doesn’t quite get to my brain.

It makes sense that essentially being in a calorie deficit makes me so anxious. Our bodies need calories to function, and especially our brains need carbohydrates! I also have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance, which can affect my ability to use carbs. Often the onset of my hunger is quick and intense. I don’t get hangry. I get hanxious, and many times will start to cry. I wonder if these metabolic differences don’t contribute to the lack-of-food-induced-anxiety too.

Once I realize though that I’m probably anxious because I haven’t eaten (or more often, my partner points this out to me and starts making me food), I essentially force myself to eat. I start with something small, light, and easy to digest, like oatmeal or toast. Usually though, starting to eat makes me realize just how hungry I am. I make sure to add in protein and fiber as I continue refueling my body and brain.

Within hours, sometimes sooner, I tend to feel much better. The anxieties that consumed me before seem much sillier, or at least it seems like I can cope with them again. This afternoon, my anxiety is now down to a 2. It’s partially just time and riding out the anxiety wave. But it’s also food. I truly wonder how many of my anxiety problems could be solved if I just remembered to eat.

All this to say, don’t forget to eat when you’re anxious. It can make a huge difference. And to myself too, hey Morgan, don’t forget to eat when you’re anxious!