Stress isn’t just a state of mind, it has physical effects in the body. It can wreak havoc both mentally and physically and play a role in your immune system’s ability to function. When you are under stress, your body goes into fight or flight mode.

Back in cave-man days, you might have been chased by a ferocious animal.  Today, you may be stuck in traffic or frantically trying to meet a deadline. You get a burst of adrenaline, which then causes your cortisol levels to rise. These two chemicals evoke the following:

1. You get a burst of energy.
2. Digestion is slowed and your immune system is weakened.
3. Heart rate is increased.
4. Sensitivity to pain is reduced.

This bodily response is appropriate if you have a real physical emergency and need to react quickly. However, being in this state for long periods of time can affect your health and well-being.

With the fast-paced society we live in, it can be challenging to keep stress levels at bay.  Healthy eating and supplementation can definitely improve your body’s ability to manage stress; but this may not be enough. If you find yourself feeling stressed on a regular basis, assess your life and find ways to mitigate stress.

These are some of many questions you can ask yourself to start down a path of self-improvement.

• How would you rate your stress levels?
• Is there anything you can do to modify your own behavior or the way you perceive things?
• Do you need to make a change?

Stress-Relieving Activities

While stress is inevitable, you can incorporate activities in your life that help you mitigate it.  For example, simply taking a minute to breathe in deeply several times can bring your adrenaline back to normal. Taking a brisk walk can help oxygenate your body and relax your mind. Taking a warm bath at night can relax your body and mind. You can also use this breathing technique.

1. Breathe in through your nose deeply for 4 counts.
2. Hold your breath for 7 counts.
3. With the tip of your tongue lightly pressed to the roof of your mouth, force your breath out through your mouth for 8 counts.
4. Repeat this process 5-10 times, or as long as you would like.

Note: this technique may make you a bit light-headed the first several times you do it.  This is because of the massive amount of oxygen you are bringing in. You will get used to this sensation over time.

Need help managing stress? PURE is by your side.

HealthTrim® Matcha Vegan Shake, a clean and lean plant-based protein, can help in promoting a sense of calm. L-theanine is a special ingredient in matcha that has been shown to reduce psychological and physiological stress responses.¹ It helps promote relaxation by affecting brain waves and decreases anxiety and helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels.²

GoYin balancing blend can enhance well-being with a delicious, proprietary blend of superfruits, herbs and other fruits. It can provide nutritional support to help your body deal with everyday stressors. Created on the premise of 5,000 years of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it contains a proprietary blend of superfruits, herbs, and other fruits that have been traditionally used to help bring the body into balance and enhance overall well-being.*

Whatever you choose to do, I encourage you to be consistent in managing your stress levels. Anytime you notice elevated stress levels, try and take a short break to counteract your stress. Over time, you will learn to effectively mitigate stress quickly, keeping your body and mind healthy and full of vitality.

¹https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16930802

²https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3518171/

 

This article is for nutrition information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any health concerns you may have. The information in this article is not intended to promote any specific product, or for the prevention or treatment of any disease.