I’ve mentioned this in many a post, but one of the biggest health challenges I currently face seems to be managing stress. Although I have put myself on a restricted Don Lemon diet (no I’m not eating Don Lemon or following some Don Lemon diet plan! I’m talking watching Don Lemon!) I definitely need to do more. It’s obviously not just CNN and the news that is stressing me out. We all have crap to deal with. Stressful jobs. Many of us, as a result of the pandemic have more bills than money. We have family members that are ill, (or worse) and just folks we, unfortunately, no matter how hard we try, WORRY ABOUT. The stressors are many. But we MUST learn to manage them. It is literally a do or die situation.
I’m having a hard time. I exercise. I take walks. I’m failing miserably at my meditation and yoga program. I promised myself I would meditate for fifteen minutes each morning, yet I find myself at my computer or notebook, toothbrush in hand, checking emails or reviewing my never-ending to do list.
Stress is bad. Managing stress is NOT optional if you plan to live for a while. I’ve been researching the effects of stress for a while now. I’ve learned a lot and that’s the problem! My inability to manage my stress is now stressing me out! Why? Because I’m stressed out knowing that stress has and continues to take a toll on my body. I’m now worrying about my failure in stress management. I swear, If it ain’t one thing, it’s three!
When one of the only doctors I’ve trusted in years said to me, “I believe your elevated blood pressure is, SITUATIONAL,” He was basically telling me that it was stress related and that he fully believed that if I could improve my “situation,” my numbers would also improve. I cannot honestly say that I’ve been able to accomplish this. I got rid of some stressors and replaced them with new ones. BIGGER ONES. I’m pretty sure if I didn’t exercise and have a decent diet, I would be long gone! Those things have countered some of the stress, but it is just not enough.
I sat down recently and wrote out the things that were stressing me out and worrying me. Some of them I was able to work through by simply shifting my thoughts about them. Instead of expecting a negative outcome, I decided to expect a positive one and it really helped me to worry less about those.
I changed my thoughts about money and looked more at debt as investments, rather than just debt. Upon review, I realized that while things didn’t look so hot today, in the grand scheme of things, I was doing okay. I’m certainly not the only person who was financially impacted by the pandemic and all things considered, I’m okay.
What worries me most now is my health. How much damage have I done to myself worrying and being stressed out? Our bodies are equipped to handle short-term/acute stress. Chronic, or long-term stress is a whole other thing! Chronic stress floods our body with cortisol. But what does it do to those adrenal glands? Well, what happens to anything when it’s overused? It wears out. It becomes exhausted.
I sat with a friend recently who shared her own stress story with me. She, like me, (I’m sure!) was suffering from adrenal burnout. The adrenals, which sit on top of your kidneys are signaled by stressors to produce cortisol, adrenaline and DHEA. (Which is also the precursor for estrogen and testosterone which already decline as we age! We are basically speeding things up when we stress out!) Stress is literally robbing you of your sex hormones.
So, we are overworking those adrenals when we are stressed the hell out. And what could possibly result from adrenal burnout you ask? Well, you didn’t. But once again, I’m fix’n to tell you!
- Thyroid Issues
- High Blood Pressure
- Diabetes
- Dementia – Brain shrinkage
- Immune Issues
- Anxiety
- Low Energy
- Depression
- Craving Salt and Sugar
- Decreased Libido
- Low Stomach Acid
- Joint Pain
- Fatigue
Last, but NEVER least. It’s prematurely AGING YOU!!! And ladies, we are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of stress. Once again, we get a raw deal! Stress has a PROFOUND effect on how we age. Adrenal fatigue and menopause share some of the same symptoms. (Insomnia, weight gain, depression!) Another two-fer for the females!
But it’s not just worry that can cause a stress response in our bodies. Lack of sleep can be a factor. What we eat can have an effect. Yes, food can be stressful on our bodies. Anything that causes a spike in blood sugar is a stressor. Inflammatory foods, food allergies and sensitivities are also stressors. Our bodies can’t really tell the difference between these types of stressors.
So, what can we do other than downward dog, breathe deeply, and run to the spa? (Which ain’t in my budget at the moment!)
The use of adaptogens is one. Adaptogen herbs do exactly what you might think based on their name. They help us to adapt. They level us out! I personally use Siberian Ginseng and Ashwagandha. But I’m inconsistent. I need to do better.
I take the Magnesium supplement “Calm.” Magnesium, also known as the relaxation mineral, which many of us are deficient in, I used to take nightly. But once again, I’ve been inconsistent of late. Mostly, too lazy to get up and mix it up! I should investigate gummies perhaps.
Avocados, flax, pumpkin, and chia seeds, almonds, leafy green, and banana are great sources of magnesium. Dark chocolate is one of my favorite sources, but I noticed that eating a few squares at night, might have been affecting my sleep, (Okay, more than a few squares!) so I’m going to start enjoying it earlier in the day, rather than last thing at night.
As far as nutritional solutions, balancing blood sugar is key. Starch and sugar are biological stressors. To prevent spikes, stick with complex carbs such as butternut squash, sweet potatoes, green peas, and healthy proteins. Since protein takes a little longer to digest, consume with carbs help maintain your blood sugar levels. Try sources of protein such as grass-fed meats, wild fish, eggs, hummus, nuts, and seeds. Try consuming less carbs with your dinner and up the veggies and protein. My personal favorite is to sub out cauliflower for the starch and have a cooked green veggie and a salad as a meal.
In terms of stress reducing activities. We all know what they are by now!
- Exercise
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Massage
- Laughing
- Singing
- Sex (Got another one coming on this topic. Pun totally intended!)
And, if I can offer one my personal favorite stress busters it would be listening to music. Not just any music. Some of today’s music will really piss you off and make you angrier than the news. Marvin Gaye’s “What’s going on,” sounds great, but could also piss you off. Especially when you realized that it is a fifty-year old record and not much has changed!
I’ve done the research. It has been scientifically proven that listening to anything by Earth, Wind & Fire will immediately reduce stress. Of course, and obvious disclaimer. I’m not a doctor and I don’t even play one on TV, but that’s what I would prescribe if I were! Lexipro has nothing on Maurice White. Come on, the wrap at the end of “All about Love?”
TRY THESE Essential Oils for Stress and Adrenal Fatigue
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Adrenal – https://dv216.isrefer.com/go/adrenal/kavonarts/
Calm – https://dv216.isrefer.com/go/calm/kavonarts/