Stress and Relaxation
How can I relax and cope with stress? Are you feeling tired and wired?
As a Nutritionist, I see many people who are unable to cope with the everyday stresses of life. They often describe themselves as being tired yet wired. This is an indication that their body’s adrenal glands, which produce stress hormones, are not functioning as they should. Here are some suggestions to help you relax and cope with stress.
Food
- Eating plenty of good quality natural protein (e.g. chicken, fish, meat, eggs, nuts, seeds and dairy) at every meal – protein breaks down into amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks in our body as bricks are in a house. Our body needs amino acids to help re-build our adrenal glands
- Eat a portion of unrefined carbohydrates – carbohydrates are mainly found in grains and root vegetables. These are the fuel needed for our adrenal glands and contain plenty of vitamins and minerals.
- A wide variety of vegetables – you should aim to eat 6-8 servings of a wide variety of colourful vegetables throughout the day. Aim for a rainbow of colours – bright green, red, orange, yellow and purple etc. The different colours are made from different nutrients that needed for your adrenal glands.
- Avoid processed sugar (in biscuits and cakes etc) and reduce fruit to a maximum of 1-2 pieces daily – sugar and fruit raises blood sugar which puts a strain on the adrenal glands
- Eat plenty of beneficial oils and fats (oils should be cold-pressed and fats should be as unprocessed as possible) – this is part of the raw material used by the adrenal glands to make stress hormones
- Avoid foods you are sensitive – eating foods you are intolerant or allergic too can cause your body to feel anxious. Did you know that food sensitivities can be linked to panic attacks?
- Eat mindfully – this helps your nervous system to relax and stimulates your digestive system
Lifestyle
- Epsom Salt baths – gives you an opportunity to relax in a bath while absorbing magnesium at the same time!
- Regular massages
- A good walk everyday
- Limit your working hours to 10 hours a day, 5 days a week maximum
- Keep at least 1 whole day a week completely free from work
- Develop a relaxing hobby that you will look forward to and enjoy
- Spend time with friends who make you laugh and you find it easy to be with
- Breathing exercises
- Check your commitments – are you taking on too many things, do you need to learn to say ‘no’ to things?
- Ask for help if you need it
- Make a list of things in your life that are causing you to feel stressed. Change what is possible to avoid wearing yourself out
- If you have a faith, ask God for help. If you do not have a faith, consider the difference it would make to your life to know that prayers can be answered!
Supplements
There are mainly supplements available to help stimulate relaxation in your brain as well as support your adrenal glands. Please contact me if you would like to know more.
