Last week’s letter generated an avalanche of responses that I wasn’t prepared for. Anxiety is pervasive in our culture. Mental health advocacy is gaining traction in this generation and I’m thankful.
Because of my daughter’s fight with anxiety, I am passionate to learn all I can to help her. I mentioned books by Sissy Goff last week and how they have been helpful for us to have common language in this fight. Sissy counsels girls who struggle with anxiety and her books offer other ideas and tools to fight the “Worry Monster.”
I asked Caroline recently if she ever uses those ideas (breath work, Scripture memory, essential oils, mind distraction games, etc.) She said, “In the moment I forget about using them.” So we have lots of practicing to do.
And this is one reason why taking a probiotic helps. It’s a part of our morning routine. When something is routine, we don’t think about it.
Not just that, but it is making a physiological difference in her gut. All the Scripture in the world won’t change her gut flora. By swallowing a pill each morning she has one leg up on winning the battle.
I asked Caroline to describe the difference taking a probiotic has made. After a pause she said, “Now when I think about things my tummy doesn’t hurt.”
This morning in a phone conversation about this with a wise friend, she pointed out there is a difference between on-going, low level constant anxiety and situational anxiety.
My friend made this difference after I’d shared how I was battling my own fears and anxiety. I desired to identify with Caroline in her struggle and share how I found relief. Specifically how meditated on a Bible verse that brought comfort. I was unsure how to word it because I didn’t want to burden Caroline with my fears.
My friend encouraged me to focus on identifying with Caroline’s struggle. It’s ok to tell her how I found comfort but the main idea I want to express is that I experience anxiety too. My goal in sharing is connecting with her experience of anxiety. She isn’t alone. It’s not the same for me but I am with her in it.
I think sometimes the message that can be communicated, especially in Christian communities, is “trust the Lord. Cast your cares on Him. Don’t worry about tomorrow.” All those things are true but there is more to the picture. Her constant anxiety is not from a lack of trust in the Lord -- and I never want to communicate that. Her low-grade pervasive anxiety could be an anatomical issue.
Why a probiotic pill instead of food?
In May, I wrote a newsletter outlining all the merits of probiotic foods, as well as pictures of probiotic foods for purchase in stores. My goal is to eat something fermented with every meal (with hopes that it actually happens at one meal!)
Taking a pill first thing in the morning not only guarantees the dosage but it also guarantees the specific strain. Last week I shared about psychobiotics, which are particular strains of probiotics that have proven to be effective for stress, anxiety and depression. I’ve resisted paying for probiotics (pills) for years because of what I know about food. And have been pleasantly shocked at our results.
Which one do we take?
Caroline started about 6 week ago with VitalBiome from Plexus. Another dyslexic friend who experiences anxiety recommended it. Mom notices within 24-48 hours when her daughter has skipped a dosage. It has psychobiotics - probiotic strains that reduce feelings of stress and tension, reduce occasional GI discomfort, and rebalances gut microflora.
I started taking ProBio5 in January. I wanted something to take when traveling to keep constipation at bay. I also take it when I feel run down or haven’t been eating my normal probiotic foods. It’s a general probiotic with enzymes that is good for most people. It promotes optimal gut health and helps balance intestinal yeast. If (when) you’ve ever taken an antibiotic, I highly recommend using a probiotic to restore healthy gut flora.
If you're not familiar with Plexus - it's a direct sales company that doesn’t spend money on advertising and relies on word of mouth for marketing. I get rewarded when others shop through me. We’ve tried other probiotics. I’ve been reluctantly surprised at how much I love the Plexus probiotics. I think direct sales gets a bad name (sometimes for good reason).
Deals you need to know about:
1/ Use code SAM2020 in September and get 10% off when you spend $100.
2/ If you buy $50 of product and then become an Ambassador for $1 (in September) then you get a free bag of Active (healthy sports drink mix, $30 value). Becoming an Ambassador means you get wholesale prices, 25% off. I definitely recommend becoming an Ambassador, esp this month, for the wholesale prices. It's usually $40 a year to become an Ambassador. It is a subscription program but you can change/pause it at any time.
3/ If you just wanted the probiotic and wanted suggestions to reach the $50 mark, Caroline and I have also been taking BioCleanse -- and I think it has helped our quality of sleep. I just started taking X-factor which is a high quality vitamin antioxidant supplement. There's a kid's X-factor multi-vitamin with a probiotic (but gentler than VitalBiome). And I’m enjoying Slim - which is one of their flagship products. It’s a drink mix you add to water that feeds the good bacteria in the gut and helps stabilize blood sugar. There’s tri-plex which has ProBio5, BioCleanse and Slim at a reduced rate because it’s bundled.
What Others Have Said
(from a friend who also has a daughter, Caroline)
In response to an Instagram story another said:
Book recommendation from a cookbook loving friend:
That’s a lot of information to digest. Hit me up with your questions. Reply to this email and it comes to me. Cheering you on!
Life is hard, food doesn’t have to be,
Julie