Dr Arora, an NHS GP, has shared how the simple method works online
A GP has revealed that one specific variety of confectionery could help alleviate symptoms of a panic and anxiety attack. Whether your worries are related to your work, family circumstances, pets or an upcoming test, experiencing these emotions is entirely normal. However, if it affects your daily life, you may want to consult your GP for help.
In her post, Dr Raj Arora, an NHS GP and medical educator, shared guidance on managing anxiety. The expert, who often appears on ITV’s This Morning, said on TikTok, under the username @drrajarora, that the sour-sweet method really does work.
Reacting to a video of a woman eating sour sweets when she is anxious, the educator explained: “This is something that actually helps with anxiety. The idea behind this is a sensory experience. So when you have an anxiety or a panic attack, diverting your attention away from that or distracting your attention, it can be pretty powerful.
“So eating a really sour sweet, for example, is quite a sensory experience. It will calm you down, distract you away from that panic attack or that anxiety attack that you’re having and sort of redirect you.”
This is not a treatment, the doctor said, warning people: “Is it a treatment for it? Is it a long-term management option? Obviously not. Sweets are full of processed sugars. They’re full of high sugar content and overall not very good for your health. So I wouldn’t recommend you’re just eating bags and bags of our sweets. However, the odd one here and there, if you feel like it does distract you, can be helpful.”
She added: “It can be helpful because it shifts your brain’s thoughts away from those anxious thoughts into what is actually happening in the mouth and that experience that you’re going through.”
If you are not keen on this approach, ‘there are other ways to distract yourself if you’re going through anxiety and it’s called a grounding technique’, the doctor explained.
You can try:
- Going outside and stepping on the grass
- Stomping your feet on the ground or grass
- Holding ice in your hand
- Use breathing techniques
In her final message, she concluded: “Having sour candy can be a short and easy distraction. But it’s not something I would recommend long-term. So if you are suffering with anxiety, please go and see your GP and get some treatment and management.”
