A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO STRESS

RELAX HOLISTICLY

Stress accounts for 75-85% of disease.  Stress is inevitable, we all get overwhelmed and for most of us we carry stress around with us everyday.  Whether we are in a constant state of stress, going through a stressful time period or have day to day stress it is important to manage the stress and de-compress.

As a Holistic Practitioner I am passionate about the topic of stress/burnout and how it’s related to health issues such as Adrenal Fatigue, Weight Gain, Low Libido, Heart Issues, Trouble Breathing, Mood Swings and Pain.

Stress raises the hormone Cortisol which in turn reacts by taking our energy away from doing its day to day functions and now acts as a fight or flight reaction.  So, what happens over time if we don’t turn this fight or flight off?  Well it presents itself in many ways, some smaller concerns such as sore muscles, fatigue, irritation and others can be more worrisome such as heart issues, diabetes, IBS, adrenal fatigue, asthma etc.

Woman over 40 have to be practically diligent about managing stress.  We slowly stop making the sex hormones that help combat stress and need to then relay solely on our Adrenal Glands to manage it.  You see as we age it is just a scientific fact that we need to sleep well, eat healthy and lead a healthy lifestyle.   I tell you this to give a reason why you may feel more tired, more easily stressed.  It is just the way our bodies are wired and if we don’t take care of our Adrenals Glands, mental exhaustion and burnout will occur.

Stress creates acid in the body, which affects our PH balance and therefore makes us susceptible to illness.  Your body reacts to stress whether it’s good or bad stress in the same way.  Keeping our bodies alkaline is crucial. Ways of doing this is drinking lemon water, deep breathing, Ionic Foot Baths, wearing black tourmaline, walking in sand by the beach and walking bare foot on the grass.

Because stress is such a broad topic and effects so many of us, I have broken down the top ways to treat stress by category.  Of course, these are general suggestions and you should try what suits you.

Top Foods to Add

• Vitamin C– Lowers the stress hormone Cortisol and helps reduce blood pressure in stressful situations (citrus, peppers, pineapple)
• Turkey- contains tryptophan that releases serotonin.
• Dark Chocolate- contains magnesium this mineral is a great relaxer of both mind & body it also releases serotonin
• Salmon– good fats with high omega 3’s which fights inflammation & feeds the mind.
• Whole Grains- the B vitamins will provide energy.
• Yogurt if tolerated can be very calming.
• Top Herbal Teas
• Chamomile
• Lemon Balm
• Passionflower
• Lavender
• Tulsi (Holy Basil)

           Top Foods to Avoid

• Wine/beer/alcohol
• Refined sugar- cakes, treats- they provide serotonin but will create a crash that will make matter worse
• Fried Foods– Hard to digest, create inflammation and deplete other vitamins and mineral from absorbing.

              Lifestyle habits that help

• Deep Breathing– it’s easy, and you can do it anywhere, in with the good and out with the bad (look up the William Hof Method)
• Gratitude, being thankful for what you have can put stress into perspective.
• Get out in nature everyday
• Write it down your to do list & stop overthinking it.
• Create space for yourself– it is proven that walking in outdoor space like has been most beneficial for stress reduction.
• Laugh– lighten up, if your day to day is stressful watch a comedy, talk to a friend … avoid drama!
• Dance– put some music on that you love and see the difference that moving your body can make.
• Get enough sleep, take a nap if needed.

               Therapies That Really Work

• Massage– we carry stress in our bodies and become tense. If you can’t get to a massage therapist, try just massaging your neck, shoulders and feet before bed
• Yoga– if you can get to a class great if you have a few minutes to practice at home everyday yoga is proven to reduce stress in your mind and body.
• Reiki- a beautiful therapy you will feel cared for and induce a sense of calm and relaxation.
• Reflexology– pressure points on the feet or hands to induce relaxation & health.
• Sound Frequency– Different Frequencies of sound can have profound effects on lowering blood pressure. Try listening to 528hz and 396hz
• Tuning Forks – Specially the 128hz resets the nervous system.
• Meditation, connect to self, the breathe and source– there are many ways to meditate, find the one that suit you

        Supplements/Adaptogens to consider

• Ashadawanga
• Rhodilia
• L-Theanine
• Kava Root
• Rescue Remedy (Bach)
• Siberian Ginseng

        Crystals to use and wear

• Blue Lace Agate
• Celestite
• Lepidolite
• Howlite
• Selenite

         Before starting any new treatment please listen to your body for it’s innate wisdom of what is right for you.  Also consider consulting a healthcare professional.   If you are interested in developing a plan to bring more rest and and relaxation into your life and repair your Adrenal Glands please reach out.  My holistic approach is to work with you where you are at to create a place to heal.  Stress management and Healthy Adrenal Glands are a passion of mine and basically the reason why I have broadened my practice beyond Nutrition Counselling.  It takes more then nutrition alone to lead a healthy life so adding Reiki, Reflexology, massage and sound therapy along with Nutrition Counselling has been my way of providing a more  full spectrum way to heal.

For more information about me and my practice please visit my website www.beckydholistics.com

Becky Dixon

(based out of London Ontario)