Stress is what you feel when you have to handle more
than you are used to. When you are stressed, your
body
responds as though you are in danger. It makes
hormones that speed up your heart, make you breathe
faster, and give you a burst of energy. This is called
the
fight-or-flight stress response. It increases the
hormone cortisol, the stress hormone, that increases
aging and body fat storage.
If stress happens too often or lasts too long, it can
have bad effects. It can be linked to headaches, mood
swings, an
upset stomach, back pain, decreased productivity and
trouble sleeping. It can
weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight
off disease. If you already have a health problem,
stress may make it worse. It can make you moody,
tense, or depressed. Your relationships may suffer,
and you may not do well at work or school.
There are several important types of stress:
Nutritional Stress- eating food that is low in the
nutrients that your body needs to repair itself will
increase cortisol, the stress hormone level. The key is
to eat a nutrient dense, whole food, preferably
predominantly plant based diet that is easy to digest.
Taking supplements in the form of super foods that are
nutrient dense also assists in decreasing nutritional
stress.
Physical Stress- working out too much or too often. This
will increase your cortisol, the stress hormone level. The
key is to rest in between work out sessions. Rest is as
important as exercise since the body needs an
opportunity to repair, rebuild and restore itself after
physical stress.
Mental/Emotional Stress- perceiving that you have to
handle more than you can handle increases cortisol, the
stress hormone. Taking mental breaks like listening to
uplifting music as often as you can, meditating,
exercising, praying, reading uplifting, positive messages
or affirmations, etc assist with dealing with mental stress.
Learn better ways to manage your time. You may get
more done with less stress if you have a schedule and
stick to it. Think about which things are most important,
and do those first. Include time for yourself on a daily
basis.
Find better ways to cope. Look at how you have been
dealing with stress. Be honest about what works and
what does not. Think about other things that might work
better. Excess food, smoking and alcohol are not the
answer and can make stress worse.
Take good care of yourself. Get plenty of rest. Eat well.
Don't smoke. Limit how much alcohol you drink.
Ask for help. People who have a strong network of family
and friends manage stress better. You are not alone.
Seek the support that you need.
