December 4, 2017
Fight Stress!
Stress is the body’s reaction to change or situation, which in healthy doses is a positive thing. It’s when a person faces continuous challenges without relief or relaxation between challenges, that it can start causing problems. At one time or another we all find ourselves down a stressful road, whether its work, family, or financials. It can wreak havoc and cause some serious damage to your body.
Some symptoms of Stress include:
- Low energy
- Headaches
- Aches and pains
- Insomnia
- Elevated blood pressure
- Loss of sexual desire
- Heart conditions
- Upset stomach, including diarrhoea, constipation and nausea.
Even when you are craving that giant bag of chips, or bowl of ice cream, you have the choice to fuel your body with healthy and beneficial food to help break the stress cycle. Giving your body the foods it needs will improve your mood, help relieve tension, stabilize blood sugar, blood pressure, and along with some fresh air and exercise will send your stress packing.
The B vitamins and vitamin C are the main constituents of many anti-stress formulas. The B vitamins may have a calming effect on some people, and could be used in the evening to help calm nerves. Vitamin C may just be the single most essential anti-stress nutrient. It offers cellular protection, immune support and adrenal support to produce more cortisone and epinephrine. It’s also an antioxidant that helps protects against fat peroxidation, including restoring vitamin E after it is oxidized.
Some Stress fighting foods include:
Salmon – helps reverse stress symptoms by boosting serotonin levels.
Dark Chocolate – high in flavonoids which are potent with relaxation properties.
Avocado– Rich in important stress relieving B vitamins.
Blueberries – high in antioxidants and vitamin C.
Almonds – rich in B vitamins and vitamin E, both help boost immune system.
Spinach – Packed with magnesium which helps regulate cortisol levels & promotes feelings of wellbeing.
Oatmeal – gets the calm-inducing hormone serotonin flowing.
It’s important to take some time for yourself and breathe. The best way I think of looking at dealing with stress and anxiety is how they tell you to react in an emergency situation.
When the masks fall, you must put the mask on yourself first. Even before children and anyone else. You cannot help anyone unless you put yourself first and get your oxygen. When you are at full health, it will show through every aspect of your life.
Try some stress reducing activities:
Have More Fun – do things you enjoy.
Express your feelings – emotions need regular venting; unexpressed emotions are building blocks to stress, pain, and illness.
Get Good Sleep- at least 8 hours a night.
Learn relaxation exercises – help reduce stress by letting go of mental stresses and experiencing moments of inner peace.
Exercise – is one of the best ways to clear your tensions and feel good with more energy and better attitude towards life.
Develop good relationships – it’s important to have good friends to confide and find support.
Change Perceptions and Attitudes – it’s important to learn to respond to life’s situations and not react. Find and experience self love, self respect and self worth.
