Stress

Effects
Chronic, low-level stress is common in today’s society. Over time, stress exhausts your body, contributing to gland imbalances, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cancer, immune suppression, colds/flu, anxiety/depression, digestive disorders, PMS, skin problems and fatigue. Symptoms of stress include:

Symptoms of stress include:

Coping Techniques

• Always reach for whole, natural and unprocessed foods.
• Eat a wide variety of vegetables (raw and cooked), fruits, lean proteins, raw nuts and seeds, and whole grains.
• Replace coffee and alcohol with plenty of pure, filtered water, herbal tea and, in moderation, green tea.
• Avoid refined carbohydrates (sugar, white flour, high-fructose corn syrup).
• Eliminate artificial sweeteners and trans-fats (Aspartame, sucralose, hydrogenated vegetable oil).
• Eat in a relaxing environment, and avoid eating when upset, angry or stressed. Put away your phone and chew your food thoroughly.
• Practice meditation, prayer, yoga, progressive relaxation, gratitude and deep breathing on a daily basis.
• Sleep in a completely dark, cool, well-ventilated room for at least eight hours each night.
• Practice fun and play. If competitive sports raise your stress levels, try walking, jogging, swimming, hiking, or practicing yoga and tai chi.
• Keep an active social life. Healthy relationships have been shown to boost life-span and reduce stress.

Naturopathic Treatments Your adrenal glands are responsible for producing cortisol and regulating levels of stress. Naturopathic doctors can prescribe nutritional supplements and herbal medicine to nourish your adrenal glands and help you adapt to life's daily stressors.