My answer to them is that you are not alone.
Stress… who doesn’t have that in their life at some time or other?

Stress is commonly known as the Silent Killer.

No one is immune from the day-to-day stresses that occur in our lives. Stresses can be anything from someone cutting us off in traffic, to work-related stresses, to the loss of a close friend or relative.

We may not be able to prevent ourselves or our loved ones from being affected by daily stresses, but we can choose how we react to them, and how our body is able to handle them.

Taking yoga, doing deep breathing, and exercising are all wonderful ways that can help someone to handle stress more effectively.

My daughter sent me this TED video, “How to make stress your friend” by Kelly McGonigal, and it is fantastic. This talk addresses stress and how we think of stress and it’s effects on our life and health.
Click Here for the link. I highly recommend watching it. I found it very enlightening.

Being a health counselor and nutritionist, I understand that most people these days need some help once in a while with boosting our mood, reducing and handling stress more effectively, or overcoming depression. There are a number of foods and supplements that can help reduce the effects of stress on our health, help us to sleep better, and fight depression.

I recommend always buying organic, non-GMO foods when possible, because they will have a much higher nutrient content, and less chemical toxins for your body. Eating a more plant-based diet is recommended.

Avoiding processed or restaurant foods, as well as the use of antibiotics (that can be unknowingly contributing to anxiety or depression) is recommended.

A few supplements you can take are complex amino acids. Amino acids (including L-tryptophan, N-A-C (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine), L-Theanine), are good because they are the “building blocks of proteins,” and without a wide array of them in our diets, we can’t even survive, let alone thrive.

One reason we are depleted in some of these complex amino acids is because the herbicide, called Round-Up Ready
(containing glyphosate), which is used on most food crops, blocks some of these complex amino acids, and therefore we are not able to obtain it from our food.

L-Tryptophan (also called tryptophan) is one of these important complex amino acids that may be depleted or missing from most of the populations of the world.

L- Tryptophan is a natural mood regulator. L-Tryptophan helps the body produce and balance certain hormones naturally. Supplementing with tryptophan-rich foods (Organic, Non-GMO: poultry, beef, sprouted beans, sprouted lentils, sprouted pumpkin and sunflower seeds, chia seeds, sprouted buckwheat, sprouted oats, and eggs) or taking supplements helps bring on natural calming effects, induces sleep, fights anxiety and can also help burn more body fat.

L-Tryptophan has also been found to stimulate the release of growth hormones, reduce food cravings for carbohydrates, and help kick a sugar addiction in some cases.

An important byproduct of L-Tryptophan is 5HTP (5-hyrdoxytryptophan), which works in the brain and central nervous system to boost feelings of well-being, connection and safety.

In addition to complex amino acids, most people are deficient in a nutrient/mineral that is a critical component of their overall health (including mental health). This nutrient/mineral is magnesium. It is water-soluble, and it needs to be replenished on a regular basis.

If the magnesium level is too low, you can experience muscle cramps, heart arrhythmias, and even sudden death.

“Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps to maintain normal nerve and muscle function, supports a healthy immune system, keeps the heartbeat steady, and helps bones remain strong. It also helps adjust blood glucose.

Magnesium is also known as “the mood mineral,” because it helps decrease feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. Magnesium is important in the production of serotonin, a hormone linked to feelings of happiness.

It has been called the anti-stress mineral, because magnesium can help prevent feelings of nervousness or irritability. PsychologyToday.com recently reviewed various studies of the mineral, and labeled magnesium as the “original chill pill” because of evidence supporting its health and calming benefits.

According to some studies this article cites are ones that show a benefit of magnesium supplementation and relief of depression
(including post-partum depression), anxiety, insomnia, premenstrual dysphoria, cravings, chronic fatigue syndrome, mania, and schizophrenia, among others.

Magnesium chloride is the most effective type of magnesium, because of its high bioavailability, due to its efficient solubility in water. With our bodies being 66 to 72 % water, this is an effective and easy way to obtain and utilize this critically important mineral.

You can replenish the magnesium chloride in your body by either using a lotion, bath flakes, or by consuming a magnesium-rich diet. Examples of magnesium-rich foods are leafy greens, dark chocolate, bananas, whole grains, pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds.

In conclusion, if you are troubled with nervousness, depression, anxiety, muscle cramping, restless leg syndrome, insomnia, heart problems, or diabetes, try adding a little magnesium chloride and some complex amino acids to your daily health regimen. These simple supplements are easy, cost-effective, and very beneficial for relieving stress and creating better health and well-being.

By Nancy Addison CHC, AADP copyright@nancyaddison2021

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The information from Nancy Addison and Organic Healthy Lifestyle LLC is not offered for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of any disease or disorder nor have any statements herein been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We strongly encourage you to discuss topics of concern with your health care provider.

Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this article, book, podcast, website, email, etc. is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Nancy Addison CHC, AADP. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging.

The post Stress Remedies appeared first on Organic Healthy Life - Nancy Addison - Nutrition.

First: Before going to a cocktail party, I usually take one tsp. of raw, organic green food powder (I like “Perfect Food” powder by Garden of Life, spirulina powder, or chlorella powder), and 1 tsp. of organic psyllium husks, with a little water. I then drink another glass (16 ounces) of water immediately afterwards.

Doing this makes me feel a bit full and prevents me from showing up to a party hungry, which can lend itself to overeating.  This drink mixture  also contains a lot of fiber, which can be helpful if one overindulges in the liquid spirits at the party.

Second: When I am in a buffet line, or at a party where there is an amazing amount of food, I use an appetizer or salad plate instead of a dinner plate. People who do this, on average, eat 40 percent less! I try to choose cut up fresh veggies, hummus and other truly healthy foods. In addition, I try to avoid sugar.

According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, one teaspoon of added sugar shuts down a person’s immune system for up to five hours. (1) Since I am wanting to feel really great this season, boost my immune system, and avoid being sick, I keep this in mind while I am eyeing the beautiful deserts and goodies.

Third: If overindulgence in spirits is a problem, here are a few natural ways to help relieve a hangover:

Remedy #1: Combine 1 tsp. raw, unfiltered honey, 1/2 c. freshly squeezed orange juice, and ¼ c. kefir or yogurt. Consume. 
•   Remedy #2: Soak organic dates
(pitted) in water for a few hours or more. Drink the water and eat the dates.

Remedy #3: Eat a banana.

Remedy #4: If feeling nauseous, try cutting up a bit of fresh organic, ginger root (you can buy this in the fresh produce section of the grocery store) into little pieces, and steeping it in hot water for about 3 – 5 minutes to make a ginger tea. It is very effective for relieving nausea.

Four: Make sure to get enough rest. Everyone has experienced the fatigue, lack of focus, and short temperedness that can follow a poor night’s sleep. We don’t want to experience that during the holidays! But even beyond these side effects, research has linked poor sleep with higher risks of heart disease and stroke, Type 2 Diabetes, and depression.(2)

If you have trouble sleeping, try having a little chamomile tea or warm milk (hemp, coconut or from organic, humanely raised, and grass fed cows or goats) with 1 tiny bit of raw, unfiltered honey.
If you are under a lot of stress and need a little relief, valerian root can help with tension or anxiety. For thousands of years, the herb valerian has been used in Europe and Asia to aid with sleep or anxiety. For insomnia, it’s suggested you use between 400 milligrams to 500 milligrams of valerian root up to two hours before bed.

Also, as we get older, humans don’t produce as much melatonin, which is what helps us sleep. You can buy melatonin as a supplement at the store. It comes in different strengths (one to three milligrams). Dr. Gary Massad, who has researched melatonin and sleep problems in depth, states that studies show if you take half a milligram of melatonin around three or four in the afternoon and then another half gram again about an hour before bedtime, it will work most effectively.

Other hormone imbalances can also disrupt sleep patterns, so have your doctor check you for any hormone imbalance or vitamin deficiencies. I recommend only using a vitamin from a whole food source, and I do not recommend ever taking synthetic vitamins.

You might also listen to recorded sounds of rain or ocean waves to help with sleep, as they may relax your mind. Experiment to find out what works best for you.

Five: Most people are so busy doing everything for everyone else, that they aren’t making enough time to nurture and take care of themselves. Let’s face it, the better we take care of ourselves, the better we can take care of the ones we love.

Make sure you take some time each day to slow down, calm the mind, get a little exercise, and love yourself. If we don’t take a little time for ourselves, stress can get hold of us.

Try making an appointment with yourself each day to slow down, rest, exercise, and do whatever you need to do to take care of yourself. Even consider marking it in your calendar or setting a daily timer to keep you on track. Try and keep that appointment like it is with your most important client or friend.
I have exercise down as an appointment, and although I reschedule once in a while, I don’t cancel it because it is a commitment to myself (even if that just means walking around the block briskly).

Six: If you’re feeling blue, pamper yourself and do what feels good. Try to take a walk, or spend time alone if that’s what you want. Remember, this is your holiday too and you can be there for yourself just like you try to be for everyone else.

I’ve spent many a holiday alone. Sometimes I have felt a little blue. When that happens, I intentionally will shift my focus to something new. Exercise has been shown to help with weight maintenance, health, stress relief and depression. So, make sure you keep it in your schedule. Or, I may turn on a funny movie, take a walk, turn on joyful music and call a friend to come over, or take a supplement called 5 HTP.
5-HTP or 5-hydroxytryptophan, is an essential amino acid that can increase the levels of serotonin in the brain, similar to antidepressants.

Low levels of serotonin can contribute to the development of depression and increased appetite. I have found 5 HTP really helps me when I am feeling low. Studies show it begins working as quickly as 15 to 20 minutes after taking it. You can purchase it at a healthy grocery store.

Remember, the holidays only come once a year and only last for a short time. So many of us have an idealized idea of what the holidays should be like and can be disappointed when they don’t live up to those expectations.

Try to be realistic and remember, nobody has a perfect holiday or perfect family. If you follow these tips, you might just find this year to be healthier, less stressful and more joyful!

Please leave a comment and join the conversation!

Everyone would love to hear what you think!

Sources:
1- Albert Sanchez, J. L. Reeser, H. S. Lau, P. Y. Yahiku, R. E. Willard, P. J. McMillan, S. Y. Cho, A. R. Magie, and U. D. Register. “Role of sugars in human neutrophilic phagocytosis.” The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc. 1973. http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/26/11/1180.abstract.
2- NHS, Government of United Kingdom, Why lack of sleep is bad for your health 
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/tiredness-and-fatigue/Pages/lack-of-sleep-health-risks.aspx.

3- Find a Vitamin or Supplement, 5 – HTP,, Web MD, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-794-5-HTP.aspx?activeIngredientId=794&activeIngredientName=5-HTP.
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