I TRIED TAKING MAGNESIUM EVERY DAY FOR A MONTH TO SEE IF IT REALLY REDUCES STRESS AND ANXIETY

Ever since the birth of my second child, I've struggled with stress, anxiety and anger. I'm sure many mums do - and it's something we all should talk more about.

I've read a lot of articles, blogs, and books about managing stress - I've tried deep breathing, stepping outside, and listening to calming music. I even spoke to a doctor at one point. I was finding it so difficult to manage my emotions.

Deep into an internet search one night though, I discovered that low levels of magnesium can lead to higher stress levels. An article in The Guardian back in January talks about magnesium being the 'latest buzzy supplement' which people are taking to help them feel less anxious.

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I was curious, and read more into it, before deciding to just give it a go. I wasn't really convinced but I stopped into Holland & Barrett on the way home from work, and spoke to a lady inside the shop. She confirmed magnesium could help with stress - and pointed me towards some of the options.

I picked this plastic jar of 90 Magnesium 375mg tablets - and thought I'd give myself a few months of trying it. If it didn't work, I'd just scrap the whole idea, I thought.

I started at the beginning of May, taking one a day every day. If you can't pop into a H&B any time soon, there are plenty of options on Amazon, such as this pack of 60 Vitabiotics Magnesium for £5.09. Or these Bettervits 60 capsules for £26.99 which apparently contain three types of magnesium.

According to the NHS, Magnesium is a mineral that helps turn the food we eat into energy, and make sure the parathyroid glands, which produce hormones important for bone health, work normally. Men need about 300mg a day, and women 270mg. It can naturally be found in a wide variety of foods such as spinach, nuts and wholemeal bread. The NHS says having 400mg or less a day of magnesium from supplements is unlikely to cause any harm though.

We're now at the beginning of June - and I feel like I have noticed a change after a month of taking the tablets. I especially noticed it at the start of the experiment when I was religiously taking a tablet every morning. I felt calmer while working, I felt calmer about the children - I didn't entertain the anxious thoughts that normally crossed my mind.

I felt more patient, I didn't feel like I was exploding at the slightest mishap. But then a few weeks later there was one particularly difficult day where I just felt stressed, anxious and furious at myself. At first I was worried - perhaps the magnesium didn't work?

More likely though, is the fact that it's not a magic pill that promises to eradicate all angry feelings forever - it can only do so much!

Overall, I do feel like taking a magnesium supplement is helping keeping my stress at a lower level day to day. So I'm going to keep taking the it, as even if it's only a placebo effect, I feel like it's making me feel better in a small way. Sure, I'm probably going to have the odd meltdown here and there, but I'm only human.

I'm also going to try getting outdoors more, moving more, and adding more greens to my diet. I also recently rediscovered my Christian faith back in September 2023 which has bought me a huge sense of peace.

To get the magnesium tablets, visit Holland & Barrett here. Or try Amazon's Vitabiotics Magnesium or Bettervits 60 capsules also on Amazon.

Disclaimer - I bought this item personally with my own money and the writing above is purely my opinion. I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Please consult your doctor before taking any supplements if you are not sure.

2024-06-02T16:00:39Z dg43tfdfdgfd