When under stress the last thing we think about is taking care of ourselves. Stress is a burden to our bodies and will lead to negative side effects if not handled properly. Stress should be considered a drug because it has the ability change the internal chemistry of our body.

During the holiday season we will no doubt experience elevated levels of stress which triggers the hormone cortisol to be secreted. It is important that we find ways to cope more effectively so that our bodies do not suffer from things like constant fatigue, weight gain, insomnia or cravings for particular foods. Here are some recommendations for a healthier and calmer holiday:

1. Add relaxation exercises to your daily routine. Examples include breathing techniques; yoga; stretching; meditation; listening to calming music.
2. Increase your sleep. Are you getting enough sleep? If you are like most of my clients, you are not getting the required amount which is between 8-9 hours.
3. Eat healthy foods, high in minerals. For instance try pumpkin seeds, oysters, cooked spinach, asparagus and beets.
4. Supplement with stress depleting vitamins. These include B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium and zinc. Be sure to seek out a qualified healthcare practitioner to avoid toxicity and ensure proper ratios and personal needs.
5. Do a zinc challenge. Easily test your zinc levels by doing the zinc challenge which involves taking zinc to determine the appropriate dosage.
6. Reduce or eliminate certain foods/drinks: caffeine, refined carbohydrates, alcohol; and hydrogenated or rancid fats.
7. Include omega-3 fats into your diet. Sardines, fresh water fish, cod liver oil are all good choices.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 19th, 2007 at 12:52 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.