Whether it’s health, politics, schooling our children or just normal life stuff that happens, we’ve all had a ton of stress lately. If there’s one consistent this year, it’s the number of men and women that walk in our pharmacy doors each day wondering what they can do to help with the stress they are feeling.
Stress is normal but living with chronic stress is not good for us.
Stress Symptoms
Acute or chronic stress can show up many ways. Some symptoms include:
- Irritability
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Difficulty sleeping
- Digestive issues
- Craving sugar
- Blood sugar changes – Feeling “Hangry”
- Weight gain or loss
- Decreased libido
- Fatigue
- Frequent illnesses
- Acne
- Rapid heartbeat
How Can I Better Manage My Stress?
Decreasing what is stressing you is the best thing to do but realistically we can’t always do that. We can’t ignore the pandemic or quit our job every time it stresses us out.
What we CAN do though is take care of ourselves to help our bodies and mind better deal with the stress.
First, take a look at my blog post “Self Care Practices for a Healthy You“. There’s a list of 10 things you can do today – don’t let it overwhelm you! Just choose one or two and get started.
To help support you while stressed, I have several supplements I love and recommend.
Supplements to Help Manage Stress
L-Theanine – a unique amino acid derived from tea, is responsible for promoting relaxation, in part by downward modulating cortisol levels which is helpful in reducing the effects of stress. Green tea has traditionally been used for centuries to help promote relaxation. In recent times, L-Theanine has been studied for its use in causing relaxation without drowsiness. In addition to relaxation, research on L-theanine suggests that it can have significant benefits for cardiovascular, immune and neurological health. *A staff favorite!*
Gaba Calm – a combination of L-Theanine and GABA, two naturally occurring agents that have been shown to support positive mood, relaxation, and relieve mental tension. L-Theanine is an amino acid found in green tea, which has been used for centuries to promote relaxation. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the Central Nervous System. Healthy levels of GABA have been associated with relaxation and positive mood.
Probiotics – we offer several different probiotics in our pharmacy. Research shows that the gut and brain are connected. The gut has been called a “second brain” because it produces many of the same neurotransmitters as the brain does – serotonin, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid – all of which play a key role in regulating mood. Taking a daily probiotic is a great step in getting and keeping your gut healthy and therefore helping with brain health.
Ashwagandha – An adaptogenic herb, Ashwagandha has been used in various disease processes and most specifically for its anti-stress and adaptogenic properties. It has been shown to enhance the function of the brain and nervous system and improves the memory. Being a powerful adaptogen, Ashwagandha helps reduce fatigue and improve energy while increasing the body’s resilience to stress.
Melatonin – Sleep can help your body deal with stress but unfortunately, stress can keep us from sleeping! Melatonin is a natural hormone that regulates your body’s circadian rhythm. For women, we recommend no more than a 3 mg dose.
Vitamin B Complex – Known for keeping our energy levels high and our cognitive function strong, Vitamin B Complex can have a positive effect on stress. B Complex Vitamins can help with mood and energy levels by lowering blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine.
I hope one or more of these supplements will help you manage your stress and feel better. If you would like to dive deeper into your symptoms, I offer private one-on-one consultations. Simply go to the “Work With Me” tab above and click the Get Started button.
