This May, the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine’s social media posted advice, summarized below, from department providers on how to handle stress, anxiety and picky eaters.

What Can I do to Reduce Stress?

At the beginning of May, Sameera Davuluri, M.D., assistant professor and medical director of the UAB Family Medicine – Hoover clinic, talked about stress and what it can do to your body and mind. She mentioned that stress symptoms occur in people who consistently overschedule their days because their bodies cannot take the prolonged strain.

Sameera Davuluri, M.D.

Davuluri also talked about different kinds of stress symptoms people experience.

She said, “You will start to notice physical and mental exhaustion, and this stress and can manifest in different symptoms. You may start to become easily tired or overwhelmed, lose focus, feel down or have body pains. Stress can also worsen underlying health conditions such as blood pressure, blood sugar issues and depression.”

To alleviate these symptoms, Davuluri suggested a few tips to help readers de-stress.

“It is important to take a step back and listen to your body. Take time for yourself and make lifestyle changes to improve your stress levels such as eating balanced meals, getting good sleep and exercise, as well as doing things to help alleviate your stress that you enjoy,” Davuluri said.

For individuals who cannot control their stress, Davuluri recommends getting their doctor involved.

I’ve Been Feeling a lot More Anxious Than Usual. How can I Manage my Anxiety?

It is extremely important to be aware of our mental health, the role it plays in our lives and how to take care of our mental well-being as well as our physical health. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Kaylee Crockett, Ph.D., clinical health psychologist and clinical scientist, explained what anxiety is and how to manage it.

Kaylee Crockett, Ph.D.

Although anxiety can function incorrectly in people, Crockett said, it serves a role to help people stay safe when functioning properly.

“Everyone experiences some anxiety.” Crockett said. “However, anxiety becomes maladaptive when it starts overreacting to things that are non-threatening, causes a lot of distress, and interferes with daily activities.”

She offered several techniques to help ease anxiety.

“Managing anxiety can have a few components including recognizing what situations cue anxiety, learning relaxation skills like diaphragmatic or “belly breathing” and muscle relaxation, mindfulness skills (being present in the moment), and increasing flexibility in thinking as our thoughts can often contribute to our fear (e.g. “My heart is racing so I must be having a heart attack!” vs “My heart is racing because I just walked up a hill.”),” Crockett said.

Crockett also said that another technique is to accustom yourself to the fear that is causing anxiety, such as purposely meeting new people if that is something you fear. This can gradually lower anxiety, but can be uncomfortable in the beginning, Crockett explained.

My Child is a Picky Eater. How do I Help Them Overcome This?

Parents who have a child who is a picky eater can sometimes wonder if this is affecting children’s health since their choosiness can sometimes keep them from eating more nutritious meals. Jill Marsh, M.D., discussed how parents can convince their children to try new foods.

Marsh advises that this issue should not be a pain point for parents, as parenting a picky eater is common. She believes that a healthy child doesn’t need to eat perfectly every day “as long as the child is growing well overall.”

Jill Marsh, M.D.

Marsh also offered specific ways to succeed during mealtime. “My biggest piece of advice is to avoid food fights! No yelling, begging, or crying to get your child to eat,” Marsh said.

Marsh also recommended that parents prepare at least one favorite food for the child in addition to healthy foods, but to make sure the child knows it’s ok if they don’t want to try a certain food. Enforcing boundaries, however, is also important.

“If they refuse, say, “You don’t have to eat it.” Some parents will have one easy back-up option (e.g. PB&J), but resist the pressure to become a short-order cook,” Marsh said.

Worried parents should also contact their child’s physician, Marsh said, as this advice doesn’t apply to everyone.