How well do you handle stress?
Living in this day and age is a natural part of modern life. You will come under pressure every day, whether it is waking up an alert, sitting in traffic, paying bills, working or meeting deadlines – all of these things can cause losses. Fortunately, the body has an amazing protective stress response system to help you adapt. The Stress Response is designed throughout history to save your life; for the time being, the Stress Response is activated every day instead of just contacting a saber-toothed tiger! However, this constant stimulation by the nervous system can lead to symptoms of stress and mood disorders that are becoming increasingly common.
Recognize the signs of stress
Depending on the type of pressure and the length of time you go through, you may be aware of some of these signs and symptoms.
Signs of acute stress – muscle tension, increased heart rate, sweating, energy fluctuations, wakefulness, sleep disturbances
Signs of constant stress – fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, sadness, irritability, poor concentration, weight loss or increase
Get the right tools
When you’re under stress and overstress response system requires more nutrients than usual. This is because your body needs vitamins and minerals to produce hormones and neurotransmitters (messengers of the brain) necessary to adapt to stress and return the body to balance.
- B vitamins: B vitamins are needed for a healthy mood, stimulation, and well-being. It is vital for energy production, as are neurotransmitters that promote happiness, relaxation and sleep.
- Magnesium: When you feel stressed, your body may need more magnesium than usual. Magnesium can be beneficial for many things including stress management and energy improvement. You may also know that magnesium is used as a muscle relaxant. Because of its relaxing properties, it may improve mood and sleep.
- Taurine and Glutamine: These amino acids are required as building blocks for neurotransmitters. It can also help calm the nervous system, as well as protect against the damage that stress can cause.
Lay the foundations
Now that you know which nutrients can be beneficial for use in times of stress, a nutritious diet can help you keep your nerves healthy in the long run. What happens to your diet when you are stressed? Do you eat a lot, or do you make poor food choices when they’re short on time or impatient?
- During times of stress, sugars and refined carbohydrates do not! Although it provides fast energy, it does not nourish your body with the nutrients it needs to overcome stress, and can ultimately lead to weight gain.
- Protein from fish, lean meats, eggs, legumes, and nuts can provide you with amino acids to nourish your mind while preserving you for a longer period and reducing cravings.
- Fish, in particular, contain both essential proteins and fats, known as omega-3 fatty acids that can support a healthy response to stress and a healthy mood.
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Be strong against stress!
If you are interested in strengthening your mind and body to become more flexible in the face of the effects of daily stress, make a reservation for a Naturopaths doctor and/or friendly dietitian.
Our Naturopaths would love to help you! You can book online or by phone 1300 3666 14
to book.