First, Reduce Stress then... Soothe & Stabilise Mood

Saturday, January 1st 2005

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How to Stress Less

It is believed that 80% to 90% of all diseases are stress related and two thirds of doctors visits are also related to illnesses created by stress.

Stress can be triggered by emotions including anger, fear, worry, grief, depression and guilt and may lead to high blood pressure, heart problems, tiredness, muscle and joint pain, headaches etc.

As we live longer, stress becomes a double-edged sword. "Stress speeds up ageing and older people have more trouble dealing with it" says Robert Pitera M.D. an anti-ageing specialist in New York city. "It's a function of your body's ability to heal itself. Just as a cut heals more slowly when you get older, it also becomes more difficult to manage stress.

Craving fatty, sugary foods is a common symptom. Stress causes an overproduction of cortisol, the fight-or-flight hormone that makes us feel jittery and satisfying comfort foods can turn it off - but lead to weight gain, diabetes, fatigue and more stress.

"Changing your stress level requires a mental change," observes Pitera. Make relaxing activities part of your daily routine; Jog or do other aerobic exercise, read a book, take the dog for a walk, or take short breaks during your workday. "Any aerobic physical conditioning will have a cumulative effect that relaxes you and makes you want to eat less" he says.

Nutritionally, Pitera considers the antioxidant vitamins C and E as well as CoQ10 a top priority, along with magnesium to help manage cortisol levels, and the mineral vanadium to control blood-sugar levels. Equally important, he says, is avoiding caffeine (now included in many drinks) and nicotine (both stimulants), recreational and prescription drugs, and eating a diet low in processed, fatty, sugary foods.

Managing Stress

Instead of succumbing to this downward spiral there are several steps to relaxation to bring health and wellness to your world. Focusing on the positive, even during difficult times, is the best way to reduce and alleviate stress.

Correct Supplements can make a Difference. A high potency multivitamin that contains a wide variety of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, amino acids and digestive enzymes such as Radiance Multi-Power and other single dietary supplements such as Vitamin C 1000mg daily, Vitamin E500 IU daily, CoQ10 100mg daily, Magnesium 250mg daily, Chromium 200 mcg daily.

Ensure Sufficient Sleep

Lack of sleep undermines the body's ability to deal with stress. Around 8 hours of quality sleep each night is ideal. Research indicates that laughing releases endorphins into the body. These endorphins act as natural stress beaters.

Note: Low thyroid function affects many people and both adrenal and thyroid problems frequently occur together. Low thyroid function can often be helped with another herbal combination developed by Dr John R Christopher and available as Dr Christopher's Thyroid Maintenance Formula vegetarian capsules. This combination formula is often used in conjunction with Dr Christopher's Adrenal Formula.

Three Stages of Stress

1. Alarm reaction: the body prepares for the stress period

2. Stage of resistance: the body directs its attention to the stess and tries to maintain normal function regardless of how damaging the stress is.

2. Stage of exhaustion: occurs when thebody can no longer muster its defencse system against the stress.

Reproduced unabridged from the January - March 2005 issue of Health and Herbal News, with the kind permission of Health and Herbs International Ltd.

The following products are all useful for treating Stress & Depression:

5-HTP
Adrenal Formula
Adrenal Support
Magnesium Complex
Mineral Power
Multi Power
Multi-Vite
Stress Relief
Supreme Hi-B-125
Whey Protein - Vanilla

Related health information can be found here:

Adrenal support
Calcium Deficiency
Depression
Essential oils for your emotions
Hypericum St John's Wort - depression, NS complaints
Magnesium
Mineral Power
Multi-Power the energy pack
Stress

Related articles can be found here:

Mood, sleep, serotonin and 5-HTP

New Study Links Low Cholesterol to Suicide in Depressed Patients

New Studies support Kava for Anxiety

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

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