Chewing Gum Helps with Anxiety
Yesterday I attended a workshop on selective mutism, which I will talk more about in my next blog. The presenter opened by putting a stick of chewing gum in front of each of us attending. She proceeded to tell us that chewing gum helps people to self-regulate. That means than when we get flooded with too much emotion or too many feelings and feel overwhelmed, the action of chewing helps to dissipate that overwhelmed feeling and return us to a more balanced state.
I know that it was a smart way to get the audience's attention (and it did), but it had a profound effect on me. Earlier this week I completed my first goal on Daily Strength which was to "go on a trail ride." A little more than a year ago I started taking horseback riding lessons. Not so much because I wanted to learn how to ride but I wanted to get over my fear of riding. So nervously each week I set out and gritted my teeth and climbed on the horse.
My ever so patient teacher reminded me many times to breathe. During one lesson I just happened to be chewing gum, which apparently is a big no-no as you can choke. My teacher warned me but I was already on the horse and I promised that I would never chew gum again while riding. Well to everyone's surprise all of my anxiety disappeared and I was able to relax enough to try more challenging moves. It's been a big joke ever since that before I get on the horse they make sure that I am chewing gum!
While I don't recommend that you chew gum while horseback riding, you may want to consider carrying a pack of gum with you for anxious situations.
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Support Groups: Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders in Children, Bipolar Disorder, Bipolar Disorder - Teen, Bisexuality, Codependency, College Stress, Depression, Stress Management
35
Yes I agree. Consider carrying gum!
By Anna000 October 24, 2008 2:24pm
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I just emailed you about my son and questions about Selective Mutism. He is diagnosed with ADHD and depression. I have learned that he has to be moving his hands or picking at something most all the time. If I am trying to talk with him, his hands will be going and he concentrates on his hands. But if I give him something to keep his hands busy, string, a yo-yo, or a simple hair tie, he will play with whatever is in his hands and his mind will be on what I am saying. Even if he doesn't appear to be paying attention; 9 times out of 10 he will hear and comprehend. Why is this and is it ADHD, or anxiety. Please respond, birdlady8170
By birdlady October 19, 2008 7:54am
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I love it!!!! I am new to reading/posting and I think I am hooked!!! First, I suffer from compulsive overeating and now I understand a little more about it. Maybe the "chewing" of food helps calm me down and that is why I struggle with food control!!! Now, I am going out and buying lots of gum... maybe it will help. Also, I have just started feeling better due to some treatment I am receiving (ECT) and have been wanting to find a hobby. The thought of horseback riding has sparked my interest! I am so excited to pursue it. Wish me luck (and hopefully they will let me chew gum!!)!!!!
By usedtolaugh October 1, 2008 6:57pm
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I always get anxious when I have to sit and work on the family finances, budget, and pay bills. I used to smoke. I quit smoking 16 years ago. For a long time, I could not get through the bill-paying without Ativan. Now, I chew gum. It gets me through it!!!
By peacelily68 September 27, 2008 9:27pm
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It's true!!! I thought I was the only one that did this. I guess that was a silly thought. Yes and it does work I do it all the time.
By movingon515 September 14, 2008 10:08pm
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but i do chew gum all the time,comfort thing
By susy September 13, 2008 12:35am
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My ex therapist remarked on my chewing gum.I'm just cautious about my smoking breath
By susy September 13, 2008 12:31am
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That's funny, because I have noticed that sometimes when I get anxiety while I am driving, I feel like chewing gum might make me feel more centered.
By stargaze September 12, 2008 11:23pm
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Absolutely! During the time when my Panic Disorder was at its worst, I carried "safety items" with me: water, Rolaids and gum! If panic struck, I would pop a Rolaid to settle my stomach and follow it with a piece of gum. And it always helped! Here's a little bit of information about it that you might not know though... for some reason, if the panic is particularly bad, and the gum just isn't working, sometimes it will dissolve in your mouth. Happened to me once - something to do with the chemical change in your saliva with the flood of adrenaline. It was very strange... it just lost its elasticity and dissolved away!
By Brenda9 September 11, 2008 8:33pm
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I don't chew gum, but i have found that Tic tac's work for me. I use them as a distraction tool with my anxiety.
By MrsToadLady September 10, 2008 10:15pm
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I agree. Gum is a great diffuser. I always have a pack of gum ready when I take tests.
By gimmebackmychainsaw September 10, 2008 5:47pm
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Thank you for this blog entry.
Recently I purchased what I thought was a little tub of mints, to keep at work. It turned out to be breath-freshening gum. I have a job that is high-responsibility, and at times the circumstances can be rather intense. I noticed during my first month of training, that I was more calm when chewing the gum and performing stressful tasks. Also, I was more centered when doing things I was unsure of. So after reading your blog entry it's clear that this was not my imagination. The gum will stay at work!
Now, my only problem will be to remember to chew with my mouth closed, as when things get hectic or very involved, I sometimes chew really fast and, possibly loud. How embarassing this was when I caught myself doing so as I walked away at the end of a convo with the clinical director!
By JeanaDawn September 9, 2008 3:34am
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now i know how my anxiety went unnoticed for so many years as i used to be an avid gum chewer...i used to use it for dental purposes (so i would tell everyone) but it actually probably stopped me from running out of church services and meetings for all those years...now i have real chest pains that radiate down my arm...
By feeling2008 September 9, 2008 1:19am
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Something about this tip sounds right to me. I'm going to have to give it a try. Thanks for the info! Great stuff as always...
By capncrunchbud September 9, 2008 1:13am
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And I thought it was just good for dry mouth!
By miriamhyde September 9, 2008 1:12am
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Hello ... It does work in a lot of circumstances. I'm a Behavioural Specialist and work for one of our local School Boards with children designated as having severe communication/behavioural disorders ... I've also been studying and working with children who have Sensory Integrative Disorders ( I also spent 15 years working with Children who have been designated as having PDD/Autism Spectrum Disorders ). One of the things I allow my students to do when they come to my office and work area is to chew gum ( oh, I can just hear every traditional teacher inhaling with shock and disapproval, one just doesn't chew gum in school ) All I ask in return is that when their done with it is to make sure it ends up in a trash can and not under a chair/desk or on the carpet! For one thing, I've got one of the quieter work areas in the school ( just imagine 15 to 20 behavioural students in one area with myself and one Ed. Asst. ) and, it does seem to improve the students' ability to stay focused and on task.
Many of the students that I work with also have a history of abuse and come to me having to contend with all of the personal issues related to having been in abusive environments for many of their formative/developmental years ... they're dealing with PTSD, Depression, Anxiety/Panic Disorders. You'd be surprised ( well maybe "you" wouldn't be, but lots of other people would be ) how something as simple as chewing a piece of gum can help them cope with some of those issues, just by reducing the amount of anxiety they have brewing within all of the time. They're a remarkable bunch of children who honestly appreciate what it means to be treated with kindness, respect and dignity.
May the sun shine, all day long,
everything go right, and nothing wrong.
May those you love bring love back to you,
and may all the wishes you wish come true!
~Irish Blessing
By hivin September 8, 2008 2:13pm
19
I agree...I always chew gum...when I go out...It relax me and helps my anxiety....truth to that
By europagrl September 8, 2008 10:47am
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I have heard of gum being given to children with Tourette's too. My boy has ADHD and probably TS but I am afraid he chews so horibly that I can't stand to see him with it!
I work hard to make sure he does not come across as abnoxious as many kids with ADHD can and the gum doesn't help.
Good plan though. I supose we could use it for anxiety during homework.
By Leswonder September 8, 2008 4:40am
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Not advised for people with TMJ :P
By nikovdh September 7, 2008 11:43am
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it totally works i chewed gum all through high school
By helloperator September 6, 2008 10:25pm