Are you under extreme pressure due to Year-End procedures? Is your boss expecting you to complete miracles? Are you studying for exams and struggling to keep an even keel?
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| For more info see: www.stress.org |
I have also heard the rumours about ‘good’ stress. There is
a lot of information available on ‘Dr Google’ to make the most of it. But what
if the stress affecting you is causing you to feel panicky when you get up in
the morning? What if the weight of responsibility is squeezing the breath out
of your lungs or your financial debt is crushing your passion for life?
These are the realities many of us are living with on a
daily basis and sometimes it becomes overwhelming.
Is there anything we can do?
Yes indeed!
Firstly, we need to be honest with ourselves. Many of the
causes of our stress, are self-inflicted. Reduce these by planning and
preparing ahead, saying ‘NO’ to unnecessary commitments, and even lowering our
standard of living if need be. Your health is WORTH IT!
That said, for the stress we cannot avoid - there IS HOPE!!
Stress occurs in three phases:
1.
Fight-or-Flight when adrenalin levels are high,
together with energy levels, blood sugar levels, heart beat and blood pressure.
Once the situation has passed, adrenalin levels return to normal.
2.
Resistance (adaptive) phase during which
adrenalin levels remain higher than normal as the brain becomes used to
sustained stress levels and does not react so effectively to the ‘stop’
signals.
3.
Exhaustion phase: the brain can no longer
maintain the high levels of stress, and disease sets in. The exhaustion phase
may eventually lead to adrenal insufficiency, which we also call ‘Burn-out’.
‘Excessive’ stress causes havoc with our hormones, including
melatonin which plays a key role in sleep. Various neurotransmitters are
affected (Norepinephrine and serotonin) and the body’s reserves of Vit B1, B6
Vit C, Calcium, Chromium, Magnesium and Potassium are depleted. Stress is also linked
with a deficiency in Vit B5 as the body tries desperately to maintain the
production of corticosteroid (adrenal) hormones.
WHAT can I do?
First prize is to find a way to reduce the stress levels you
are dealing with.
The next step is to begin by ensuring that the depleted
vitamins and minerals are supplemented in generous quantities. Cholesterol is
essential for the production of hormones, so have the breakfast egg and enjoy
it! Meat, nuts, sprirulina and pumpkin and pumpkin seeds are excellent sources
of tryptophan (which the body uses to build serotonin).
Avoid caffeine and substances containing it (cacao, cola’s,
coffee, tea, etc)
One of the unpleasant side-effects of stress is inflammation,
so using a good Omega-3 fish oil supplement is valuable. Another is indigestion
which can be improved by the use of pro-biotics, digestive enzymes and/or humic
acids. Another distressing side-effect is the build-up of toxins with a whole
host of unpleasant side-effects. These can be counteracted by taking supplements
to support the methylation process (mainly the whole group of B-Vitamins).
Excessive stress also has a negative influence on our immune system and our
emotions. Vitamin D3, exercise and exposure to sunlight can all play a role in
boosting our overall health and happiness.
