Most performers experience music performance anxiety prior to an important concert or audition. Anxiety consists of a stress response in the body manifested through physical symptoms such as an increased heart rate, sweating and release of adrenaline. The “fight-or flight” is one type: the body reacts to a perceived life-threatening event, and energy is focused on the organs essential to survival. There is an increased blood supply to the brain, and increased stimulation of the skeletal muscles, which results in a decreased blood flow to the organs of the digestive system (Everly & Lating, 2013). Anxiety may therefore result in a loss of appetite, and other similar symptoms such as agitated stomach, “butterflies”, cramps, nausea, strange taste in the mouth, or even vomiting and diarrhea. Key to countering these effects are good nutritional habits, sufficient sleep and efficient stress management strategies (Schwertly, 2014).
So, what should you eat?
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