Managing Stress and Anxiety: A Quick & Simple Guide

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to pause, reflect, and prioritize our emotional and psychological well-being. In today’s fast-paced world, stress and anxiety are more than just occasional discomforts—they are chronic challenges for millions. While medication and therapy are vital resources for many, there are also everyday practices that can support your mental health and help reduce stress and anxiety.

From nutrition and sleep to sunlight and self-care, here’s how you can support your mental well-being—naturally and holistically.

1. Start with What’s on Your Plate

You might be surprised to learn that your diet plays a key role in your mental health. The foods you eat affect your mood, energy levels, and even how you cope with stress. A live food diet—which includes raw, organic, plant-based options—can nourish not only your body but your mind.

Incorporate whole foods such as:

• Barley, lentils, and brown rice
• Leafy greens like spinach, kale and broccoli
• Vitamin C-rich fruits such as grapefruit and oranges
• Nuts, mushrooms, and cabbage

These foods are rich in essential nutrients that help regulate your nervous system and support your brain's chemical balance. A steady intake of B-complex vitamins, found in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, has been found to aid in reducing symptoms of stress, fatigue, and anxiety.

2. Hydrate and Support Your Digestive Health

Digestive health is often overlooked when we think about mental well-being, but there is a strong connection between the gut and the brain. A sluggish digestive system can lead to a buildup of toxins in the body, which can increase inflammation and affect your mood.

Make sure to:

• Drink plenty of distilled or purified water
• Eat fiber-rich foods to support regular bowel movements
• Avoid processed foods and sugars that disrupt gut bacteria

Living Juices' organic, cold-pressed fruit and vegetable juices are perfect way to hydrate with 100% fruits and veggies, never any added sugars! 

3. Soak Up the Sunshine (Safely)

Vitamin D, often called the “sunshine vitamin,” plays a key role in mental health. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to increased anxiety and depression. Spending even 10–20 minutes a day in the sun can boost your vitamin D levels naturally and lift your mood.

Be mindful to:

• Get your sunshine in the early morning or late afternoon
• Wear sunscreen to protect your skin
• Supplement if necessary—especially in winter or low-sunlight areas

Sunlight not only enhances vitamin D levels but also helps regulate your circadian rhythm, which affects sleep and energy.

4. Sleep: The Foundation of Mental Wellness

If you’re not sleeping well, everything else in life becomes harder. Quality sleep allows your body and mind to reset and restore. Chronic sleep deprivation contributes to anxiety, emotional instability, and cognitive decline.

For better sleep:

• Stick to a regular sleep schedule—even on weekends
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and screen time close to bedtime
• Try deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga before bed

Sleep is one of the most powerful, yet simple, ways to support your mental health—and it doesn’t cost a thing.

A Gentle Reminder This May

Mental Health Awareness Month is more than a calendar event—it’s a call to action. It’s a reminder that mental wellness is health, and it deserves the same care, attention, and respect as physical health.

By making small, natural changes to your daily habits—what you eat, how you sleep, how you move—you can create a powerful foundation for emotional resilience and mental clarity.

You don’t have to wait for things to get overwhelming to care for your mental health. Start today, one step at a time. And remember: you are not alone, and support is always available.