How a Plant Based Diet Helped Anna with Anxiety and Depression

Today’s post is all about not feeling good enough.

Have you ever been going along, living your life, and you start to realize that things are not the way you thought they would be? You know there are things in your life that aren’t serving you, but you don’t know how to crawl out of the dark hole of anxiety and depression. No matter what you do, you are mentally saddled by the non-stop comparison of where you are in life and where you want to be.

The incessant destructive inner dialogue of what-have-I-accomplished runs deep, and you’re not up for sharing how you feel because you don’t want to bring people down, so you shove it all inside and go about your life. Until your body rebels and says, NO MORE.

Anna has been in our community and batching our plant-based meal plans for a number of months now, and she’s been on her plant-based journey for years. She made the switch to eating plants after realizing she needed to make major changes if she was going to escape a downward spiral of self-doubt and criticism that left her struggling with depression and anxiety.

While we hear a lot about the metabolic health benefits of eating plants, we don’t hear much about the potential impact of plant based eating on mental health. There’s something there, though. The experience of many, including Anna and myself, is that adopting a whole-food plant-based diet was a key step in navigating away from a path of self-destruction and towards a path of self-love. Finding that love has a tremendous positive impact on how you view life and approach obstacles as they pop up (because they will!). You will be inspired by Anna’s vibrancy, attitude, and her story of how a plant-based diet helped her anxiety and depression because it’s one that so many of us silently endure.

Heads up that suicide is referenced towards the end of our chat. This year has been one of unprecedented stress for everyone, and there is no doubt that those struggling with depression have this stress compounded. If this is you, ask for help.

The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support. Dial 988 if you’re in crisis or having thoughts about suicide. 

Here’s a note from Anna before you watch our chat:

I want to start by expressing how incredibly grateful I am to be a part of this amazing and supportive community. I read everyone’s inspiring stories and I’m so honoured to share mine with you.

About 4 years ago, I hit the lowest point in my life. I felt helpless and worthless, and at 35, I felt like I should have accomplished more in my life.

After nearly being killed by a car and having 13 broken bones, I had nothing positive in my life. Not only were my bones broken, but my spirit was too. I started to spiral into a deep depression, and I missed a lot of work because I had debilitating anxiety. I’d lie in bed all day, and I started to hate myself. I’d make frequent trips to my doctor to get prescription medication, and I drank to self-medicate. I was completely lost. I was a shell of a person.

One day, I decided that enough was enough. I deserved better for myself, and I desperately wanted to start respecting my body. So I started eating a plant-based diet.

Within a few weeks, my life started to change. I started to sleep better and deeper.

Within a few weeks, my life started to change. I started to sleep better and deeper. I was able to focus and think clearly. My personal relationships grew stronger. I had more energy. My skin cleared up. I started to exercise again. I felt motivated. I felt like I could do anything. My entire mood changed. I never thought I could feel this amazing just from changing my diet.

Eating a plant-based diet has changed my life. At 39, I’m back in school for the first time in almost 20 years. I’m active. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. I wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day. I’m focused. I don’t remember the last time I had anxiety. Simple tasks that once seemed impossible are now enjoyable. Be kind to your body, and it will be kind to you.

A quick warning that we do use adult language in this talk.

Closed Captioning available.

Anna, thank you for being so vulnerable, and for sharing your story with us, you are such a kick-ass human. I am beyond happy for you and I wish you the very best.

Wishing you a happy week, may it be filled with finding peace.

Xo
Molly

P.S. If you want to find peace in a bowl, you’ll love our Vegan Curry Laksa and if you’re curious to see for yourself if there is a correlation between a plant-based diet and anxiety, try out our archives of free whole-food plant-based recipes.