How to stress less
Along with factors such as your genetics and your level of exposure to free radicals and oxidative damage, ageing experts now believe that your physical and emotional resilience to stress has a major influence on your quality of life and ability to function in old age. It's even hypothesized that your ability to respond to stress may influence your life expectancy.
As you get older the body's reserves decline, so your ability to bounce back from situations that you once took in your stride becomes compromised. The effects could range from taking longer to recover from physical stresses such as colds and flu to becoming more susceptible to anxiety and depression.
If you lead a particularly hectic lifestyle or you don't handle pressure very well, there are many ways you can support your body's stress-coping mechanisms.
Claiming Herbs
Relaxing and sedating herbs such as zizyphus and valerian can be very useful for those who are prone to becoming anxious or overwrought, and are prone to becoming anxious or overwrought, and are especially beneficial if your worries see you lying awake at night. Other herbal remedies can be taken to support the adrenal glands and keep your energy levels high in times of tension - good options to consider here are Korean and Siberian ginseng.
Supportive Nutrients
Proper nutrition is always important, but when you're stressed your requirements for key nutrients increase - unfortunately at exactly the same time that you're least likely to be disciplined with your diet.
Taking nutritional supplement could help you handle stressful situations more effectively by ensuring you have optimum levels of the nutrients your body needs most during these times. Key nutrients to look for include the B group vitamins (especially vitamin B5) and vitamin C. Probably most important though is magnesium, which is rapidly depleted under stress but which ironically plays an integral role in the body's stress-coping mechanisms.
Aromatherapy for Relaxation
Aromatherapy can be a valuable tool to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Lavender is the most popular essential oil and has been shown to ease anxiety in a number of stressful situations - even in dental waiting rooms! Ylang ylang oil also has anti-stress effects and has been documented to induce feelings of calmness at the same time that it improves attentiveness and alertness. If you prefer a citrus scent to a floral fragrance, try lemon oil, which has anxiety-reducing and anti-depressant actions.
Mediation for Mindfulness
When you've got a lot on your mind, taking some time out to relax and think about nothing may not feel very achievable. But people who regularly practice meditation can testify that it's not just calming, it also helps you think more clearly, concentrate better, worry less and take stress in your stride.
Taken from the Good Health Reference Guide from Go Vita.
For more healthy ideas, visit Go Vita's Good Health Library at www.govita.com.au.