With our busy and fast-paced lives juggling work, children and trying to squeeze in a social life, it's not uncommon to experience a bit (or a lot) of stress! Although sometimes the cause of our stress can be out of our control, we can help to support our body’s response to stress and get back to a sense of calm. Nutritionist, Emily Jensen, shares with us her 5 top tips to help reduce stress.
1. Avoid Caffeine
Caffeine stimulates our body to produce cortisol, our stress hormone. When we’re already in a stressed state, a cup of coffee can exacerbate the problem. Instead of reaching for that cup of joe, try a herbal tea such as chamomile or Artemis Rest & Relax to help nourish your nervous system.
2. Strike a Pose
The simple act of putting your legs up the wall for 10-15mins and focusing on your breath is a great way to reduce your stress levels and tap into your parasympathetic (your rest and digest) nervous system. If you’re overly stressed and run down, stick to gentle exercise such as yoga and walking and avoid or limit any high intensity exercise that might place additional stress on your adrenals.
3. Balance Your Sugar Levels
We often crave sugary foods when we’re stressed, or can completely forget to eat all together because we’re just too busy! This can lead to a vicious cycle of highs and lows in our blood sugar levels, which can be stressful on the body. Remember to eat small and often, include a source of protein and healthy fats at each meal, and avoid refined sugars.
4. The Power of Herbs
Adaptogenic herbs such as ashwagandha (withania), rhodiola and licorice are amazing herbs to help support the bodies resistance to stress. Other herbs to support and nourish the nervous system during stress include chamomile, valerian, lemon balm and passionflower. Kiwiherb StressCare with lemon balm, withania and B vitamins is a great option to help support your body to cope with stress and reduce the effects of nervous tension.
5. Talk to Someone
Share your feelings with someone you trust, such as a close friend, family member, colleague, or a trained professional. Talking about any issues you’re experiencing is a healthy and effective way of channelling your emotions. Remember, it’s always OK to ask for help.
What do you do to help with stress? Share your comments with us below, or get in touch on our Facebook page.