Mood Booster

I have just changed jobs and am anxious all the time. Can you suggest something to put me in a better mood?

Dee Atkinson Answers

I get the feeling that anxiety puts you into a bad mood! This is quite a common problem, and people are often classed as grumpy when they are in fact simply anxious. There are many situations in our lives that trigger stress and it is important to learn to manage stress, rather than have the stress manage you.

To treat your immediate problem start on a course of vitamin B complex and skullcap tincture. Vitamin B is the vitamin the body uses in times of stress, and skullcap is a gentle muscle relaxant and helps the body cope with mental stress and anxiety.

To help you body manage stress in the longer term, try rhodiola, which is a well-known adrenal tonic. This herb has a long history of use in Russia, where it has been used by athletes to improve stamina and to ease stress. I find it very useful for patients who have a combination of long-term stress and feeling low. To help you manage the situation, think about doing yoga or taking up Thai chi both of which will help you to learn to relax.