It is time to check in with yourself
If you struggle to cope with the stressors around you, you are not alone. We live in a culture of overstimulation and struggle to keep track of emails, texts and notifications coming at us. We are constantly overloaded trying to manage children, ageing parents, finances, illness, etc. We also live in a world that expects to have everything instantly and are easily stressed when there are delays.
Many of us do not even realize that we are stressed; we just keep moving forward on the next task, the next problem, and it is not until our stress has manifested into something more or it has caused an illness that we notice.
Calm the Mind and Body
There will always be some form of stress in your life. However, when stress is consistent and unrelenting, having the right tools can help you manage the stress response and the adverse effects that too much stress on the body can cause.
To calm the body and mind, you need to set a baseline for what calm and relaxed feels like to you. Take some time to find "your happy place" where you feel calm and your breathing is at a normal rhythm. Remember that feeling. Your goal is to work on finding that place every day, if only for a few minutes while wading through the moment's chaos.
Take up exercise- Exercising naturally increases your endorphins
Find time for yourself. Sit on your porch at the end of the day and breathe in the quiet
Try deep breathing- It may seem silly, but taking a few deep breaths can help relax the central nervous system and give your flight and flight hormones a chance to kick in and help manage the stressor.
Remove yourself from the stressor. If you find yourself getting agitated or muscles are getting rigid. Walk away from the situation. Politely tell whomever that you need a few moments. Regroup, put things in perspective then go back to the task at hand. Too often, we feel compelled to remain in an uncomfortable situation regardless of how it makes us feel while doing it. You have the right to remove & regroup!
Shut it off and Shut it Out! – No one can continue at a full-on pace every day, and there are just some things that are not that important. At the end of your day, shut it off. Worry about work during your work hours. No one is paying you to worry about work all night long.
It is time to check in with yourself
Stress Signs that Sneak Up on You
- You have increased jaw pain ( a sure sign you are grinding your teeth at night)
- You seem to be more forgetful or are finding it hard to focus
- Making small decisions seem to pose a challenge
- Easy tasks seem more challenging
- You have started to have stomach problems, such as indigestion, heartburn, diarrhea or constipation without an underlying cause
- You have increased pain in your neck & shoulders ( a telltale sign your muscles are involuntarily tensing up)
- You have noticed an increase in sweating, not attributed to any health reason
More Obvious Signs of Stress
- You are sleeping more than usual or not getting a more solid night's sleep
- Suffer from insomnia
- You have more frequent headaches
- You have unexplained chest pain or rapid heart rate
- You have unexplained low energy
- You have changed your eating habits ( eating more comfort food or have formed an unhealthy relationship with food
- You are easily irritated and quick to snap
- You are finding less enjoyment in fun things and life
- You have a feeling of helplessness
- You have noticed an increase in hair loss
- Your sex drive and desire have taken a dip
- You catch colds and infections more easily
- You have developed a dependency on drugs, alcohol etc
Manage Your Stress Response
Provide the right nutrients for brain-body balance
Consider re-establishing the brain-body balance by providing your body with nutrients to handle the stress response better and a more balanced way to manage your day. Supplements can help the body better manage the stress response and the hormones associated with the response. For example:
A Vitamin B Complex helps to stabilize the central nervous system and the production of cortisol. B Vitamins help take some of the pressure off the adrenal glands and can improve mood and energy by lowering blood levels of homocysteine, a chemical linked with stress and other health conditions. Take your B vitamins with food to avoid any stomach upset.
Ashwagandha has a historical history in traditional Ayurvedic Medicine. It contains phytochemicals that act as precursors to the hormones that regulate the stress response in the body. Ashwagandha can act as a mood stabilizer and significantly reduce cortisol levels which. Cortisol, the stress hormone, can have a number of undesirable effects on the human body when produced in excessive amounts
GABA is a natural calming agent of the brain. When we become overwhelmed with stress, the brain typically responds by producing more GABA to produce a more relaxed state, decreasing nervousness, scattered thoughts, and hyperactivity. GABA can improve relaxation without drowsiness and enhance mental focus. GABA also controls stress-related eating & food cravings and can facilitate sleep. We love the Natural Factors Gaba supplements because they come in a few different forms. You can take a yummy chewable throughout the day or a capsule on a more scheduled morning and night routine
L-Theanine is a unique amino acid found in green tea. It has been used for centuries to promote relaxation without causing any drowsiness. L- Theanine works by decreasing the excitatory brain chemicals that contribute to stress while increasing the brain chemicals that produce relaxation. It is said to be the "Zen" supplement because it quiets the mind. When taken during the day, it helps to take the edge off so you can focus more clearly, whereas taken at night, it helps to produce a state of chill so you can rest. Consider supplements such as Natural Factors Mental Calmness chewable L-Theanine for daytime use and brain focus and Pure Lab Vitamins sustained released L-Theanine for an end-of-day chill
Support the Adrenal Glands - Stress triggers the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol ( a long-term stress hormone) and adrenaline (a short-term stress hormone). If the adrenal glands are not functioning properly or overproducing stress hormones, your body cannot properly recover from the stress response. The long-term effects of adrenal stress can also play havoc on weight management and sleep disturbances. Prairie Naturals Adrenal-Force is a glandular-based product designed to alleviate adrenal fatigue and support overall adrenal function. Reduce symptoms of stress and mental fatigue. Fortified with Rhodiola Extract, L-Tyrosine, and a high potency Activated B Complex, Adrenal-Force is an ideal formula for people who experience chronic stress or mental fatigue as it delivers the necessary nutritional support for healthy adrenal function.
There are number of formulations that combine ingredients to help manage stress. By choosing the right one, you can be sure you get a full dosage of the stress-required supplements in one capsule. A high-end stress formula will help manage all aspects of the stress response. Healthology STRESS FX is formulated to help us maintain our healthy rest state. It helps us alleviate stress by lowering cortisol levels. .it promotes relaxation by boosting our calming hormones, improves mental clarity, anxiety, and memory, and helps us recover more quickly from daily life's physical and mental stressors.
Please consult your health care practitioner prior to taking the above-mentioned supplements if you are on prescribed medications for mental illness, heart, cholesterol or blood pressure. Please follow label description and health warnings. There may be unwanted interactions.
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