Independent health store advice on anxiety
Looking for advice on natural health and wellbeing? Your local independent health store can offer a wealth of expertise. This month we talk to Angela Stephenson from the Natural Food Store in Norwich.
At the moment, anxiety is probably the thing we see customers for more than anything else. It’s such a big issue. The NHS is brilliant, but it’s thoroughly overworked, and it can be hard for people with mild to moderate anxiety to access help. A lot of people don’t want to bother their GP, or they feel it’s not severe enough to go through the process of getting an appointment and entering the system. The first thing we always say when someone comes in is, “Talk to me about what it means to you,” because not everyone’s anxiety is the same. Some people will be absolutely fine and then have an overwhelming panic attack out of the blue, which completely floors them, before they feel okay again. For others, it sits like a ball churning away in the pit of the stomach that eventually becomes overwhelming. We try to work out what they need from us and how we can best offer support.
Looking for the causes
Sometimes there’s a very clear reason, such as hormonal changes, difficulties at work or home, or students building up to exams. There can be many reasons, and sometimes there’s no obvious reason at all. If there is a clear cause, we might try to support that; for example, easing hormonal fluctuations if symptoms worsen around the menstrual cycle or menopause. Other times we focus on helping someone to feel calmer in the moment.
One of the first products we often recommend is A. Vogel’s Passiflora Complex. It’s a combination of passionflower and oats in tincture form that you take in water. We find it can be very calming when the mind is racing and someone feels stuck on that rollercoaster of anxious thoughts. It’s also available in the form of tablets and as a throat spray, which can be very convenient. We might combine that with some relaxing herbal teas. Chamomile is the traditional one people think of, but we also suggest things like linden blossom, lime flowers or lemon balm. Magnesium is a great natural remedy for promoting calm. We particularly recommend Well.Actually’s Liposomal Magnesium Bisglycinate Liquid.
The latest research
There’s some interesting research emerging around saffron. It’s being looked at for both low mood and anxiety. I think it has the potential to become one of those ingredients that people talk about more and more over the next few years. There are also herbs like ashwagandha, which we all know as an adaptogen. Adaptogens help the body to handle stress and periods of change.
We always like to make sure people are getting adequate levels of B vitamins, because these are often described as “food for the nervous system”. During times of stress or anxiety we use more of them, but we often eat less well at exactly those times. Encouraging people to eat more greens and whole grains can help to increase B vitamin intake, and sometimes supplements are useful if that’s easier.
Reducing things like caffeine and alcohol can also make a big difference because they can heighten anxious feelings. But we try to approach this gently. If someone is already feeling very anxious, telling them to cut out everything at once can create more stress. Anxiety is incredibly difficult for the person experiencing it. They know they don’t want to feel that way, but it can be very hard to break through that wall and get back to themselves. That’s why we try to make the process as supportive and positive as possible.
The Natural Food Store
The Natural Food Store is based at 4 Exchange Street, Norwich, NR2 1AT. Founded by Trish Stephenson, the shop first opened its doors in February 1977 and remains proudly family-owned nearly five decades later, with Trish’s daughter-in-law Angela managing the store.
In its early days, the store operated as a traditional health food shop, supplying staples such as seeds, nuts and wholefoods that were difficult to find in mainstream supermarkets. As public interest in nutrition and wellbeing grew, the focus gradually shifted towards offering expert advice on the health benefits of foods and supplements.
Angela, who has worked at the store since 1999, says: “People come to us for advice first. We help them find the right protocol and products for their needs, taking into account what they want to achieve and their budget as well, because everyone is different.”
Homoeopathy has always been an important part of the business, with regular drop-in appointments available with a practising homoeopath. Trish Stevenson is the founder and principal of the Homoeopathic College of East Anglia, which has been training professional homoeopaths for more than 25 years.
Looking ahead, the team is already planning celebrations for the store’s 50th anniversary next year. Angela hopes to mark the milestone with special offers, goody bags and local press coverage. She says: “After everything the last decade has thrown at independent retailers, we’re incredibly proud to still be here on the high street nearly 50 years later.”
Contact details: Call the store on 01603 613228, visit the website at shopnaturally.com or follow them on Instagram @naturalnorwich
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