Stressed out? Here are 6 tips to combat your stress

Stress is stress to the body.
Often when we think of stress, we only think of the daily mental/emotional stress. However, it’s
so much more than that.
When there is excess stress in our life (in any form) it causes inflammation. At the root of most
illnesses is excess inflammation in the body.
Are you aware of these six forms of stress present in your life?

1. Negative thoughts.
   Many people are unaware that their thoughts can contribute greatly to stress. In fact, negative
   thoughts have been linked to:
   ● Anxiety
   ● High blood pressure
   ● And heart disease.

2. Microstressors.
   Did you know that stress can be cumulative? This means that the little stresses in your everyday
   life add up. Examples of microstressors include:
   ● Getting cut off in traffic
   ● Monotonous work
   ● Losing your car keys

3. Unhealthy habits.
   Your lifestyle plays key roles in the development of chronic stress. It’s important to slow down,
   and set aside some time for yourself everyday. Unhealthy habits that contribute to stress
   include:
   ● Poor nutrition
   ● Excessive alcohol
   ● And lack of sleep.

4. Physical stress.
   This can be anything from sitting with poor posture, to conditions such as arthritis, both of which
   put a strain on the body that can be just as damaging as an injury. Other forms of physical
   stress are:
   ● Chronic Illnesses
   ● Colds & flus
   ● Silent infections

5. Environmental stress.
   Your environment can affect your mental and physical health. Loud noises, for example, can
   cause anxiety, while dark and cold settings can make you feel unmotivated. Environmental
   stress can also come in the form of:
   ● Air and water impurities
   ● Radiation
   ● And toxins from pesticides or plastics.

6. Major life changes.
   Change is an inevitable part of life. However, certain changes can work in your favour whilst
   others can work against you if you let them. Stress can take its toll on the body from something
   as simple as moving house, to something bigger such as:
   ● The death of a loved one
   ● Divorce
   ● Or having a child.

Sometimes you have little control over what stresses life throws at you.

However, you CAN learn to handle unavoidable stress in healthier ways.

6 Daily Habits to Reduce Stress

Are you reducing stress with all seven of these daily habits?

1. Deep Breathing
   Throughout the day, many people breathe shallowly. Taking a few minutes every few hours to
   take slow, deep breaths are a great way to reduce stress.
   We often spend all day locked in shallow, neurotic breathing patterns. Slow, deep breaths are
   an incredibly effective way to control stress from anywhere.

2. Get Outside
   We often spend up to 90% or more of our days inside. Lack of sunlight and polluted indoor air
   can add additional stress to our system.
   Spending time in nature has been shown to help lower cortisol (and inflammation), reduce
   depression and anxiety, and support the immune system.

3. Nurture Relationships
   Did you know loneliness may be more harmful than obesity?! On the flip side, forming social
   connections and nurturing relationships can help reduce stress.
4. Focus on Sleep
   While you sleep, this is the time where the body restores itself. In addition, sleep deprivation can
   increase overall stress to your body.
5. Exercise daily.
   Getting the right amount of exercise is paramount to decreasing stress. Not enough or too much
   can both add excess stress to the body.
   Sitting for long periods throughout the day is catastrophic for your health. Moving for 30 minutes
   everyday can help keep the stress at bay.
6. Be mindful
   Ever found yourself in a negative loop of thoughts? By focusing on the present moment or
   Our minds often loop in negative thoughts meditating for ten (or even five) minutes a day can
   help minimize these loops.

The TOP 7 supplements to reduce stress levels

The TOP 7 supplements to reduce stress levels

In addition to changing your lifestyle, adding in targeted supplementation can also help to
minimize stress.

Licorice root
Licorice root has been proven to help your body produce more DHEA (a hormone that your
body makes naturally in the adrenal gland). Licorice root’s cortisol-sparing properties aid in the
maintenance of energy levels, resulting in a better reaction to stressful conditions.

Fish oil
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are commonly found in fish oil, have a variety of biological actions in
the body. They have been proven to aid in stress reduction by lowering stress-related
inflammation.

Magnesium
Magnesium regulates the activity of the body’s stress-response system, and research suggests
that increasing magnesium intake can help to lower anxiety, stress and your response to fear.

B-complex vitamins
Vitamin B12 deficiency has been linked to adrenal stress as well as vitamin B5. It’s especially
important to take a high-quality B-complex vitamin supplement if you’re limiting or eliminating
meat from your diet to combat adrenal exhaustion.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C, sometimes known as a “stress-busting” nutrient, appears to lower the impact of
stress on the body as well as the time it takes to recover from stressful events.

Vitamin D
There is a strong link between vitamin D levels and mental health. In fact, studies have proven
that 1,000 IU of vitamin D per day can reduce fatigue and anxiety, along with reducing your risk
of adrenal dysfunction (common with long periods of stress), multiple sclerosis, and depression.

Selenium
Selenium deficiency has been linked to poor adrenal function. Supplementing with this nutrient
can improve your mood by reducing inflammation and protecting your cells against the damage
caused by free radicals.

It’s important to note that you should always consult with your doctor before trying any
new supplements!
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