It is common that in the face of stress and anxiety situations, a glass of water with sugar is offered in an attempt to make the person calm down and feel better. However, there are no scientific studies to prove this effect, and it is suggested that the calming effect is due to the placebo effect, that is, the person is calmer because he believes he will be calmer when drinking sugar water.
Therefore, to relax and feel calmer it is important that the person practice physical activity, sleep well or do meditation, as this way it is possible to relieve the symptoms of stress and anxiety in a natural and effective way.
Does sugar water really calm?
The idea that sugar water helps to calm down is due to the fact that sugar stimulates the production of serotonin, which is the hormone responsible for the feeling of well-being and, thus, could produce a calming effect. This effect can also be justified by the fact that sugar is able to decrease circulating cortisol levels, which is the stress-related hormone.
However, it is also known that sugar is a source of energy for the body, because when metabolized it gives rise to glucose and fructose, which enters the cells and guarantees the energy necessary for the body to function properly. Thus, sugar would not have a relaxing action, on the contrary, it would have a stimulating action.
However, in situations of great stress, there is a lot of adrenaline production and a consequent increase in energy expenditure, in addition to a high level of circulating cortisol. Therefore, in these situations, the stimulating effect of sugar may not be perceived, on the contrary, the relaxing effect could be associated with sugar water, since this substance is being used by the body in an attempt to replace the lost energy.
Due to the lack of studies that verify the effects of water with sugar, it is considered that its consumption has a placebo effect, that is, that the calming effect is psychological: the person is calmer because he believes he will be calmer with the consumption of sugar water, the relaxing effect not necessarily related to sugar.
How to relax
As the use of sugar water to relax has no scientifically proven effect, it is recommended that natural strategies be adopted that are able to decrease cortisol levels and increase the concentration of serotonin to ensure a greater sense of well-being and more tranquility. Some options to help you relax are:
- Practice physical activities, as it helps to decrease the amount of cortisol produced during the day, helping to relax; Sleep well, because that way it is possible to rest your mind and relax for the next day, in addition to favoring the production of serotonin, being necessary for this that sleep happens in a dark environment and without external stimuli; Do meditation, since during meditation the person is able to have more concentration and focus on positive situations, promoting relaxation; Take relaxing teas such as valerian, lemon balm or chamomile, for example, at least 30 minutes before bed, to help calm and relax.
It is also important to take time out for yourself, avoiding thinking about the source of stress and anxiety, just focusing on what is important for your own well-being. Discover other options to calm your mind.
