March 11/21
It has been a year since the World Health Organization declared an official world pandemic. Life has changed A LOT and we are living in a new normal. Stress continues to be a huge component of this new normal for obvious reasons. There are ways you can diminish stress and anxiety and clearly the best ways are thought exercise, diet and natural supplements.
There are also signs that more and more people are experiencing burnout. The National Center for Biotechnology Information recently published an article on Societal pandemic burnout: A COVID legacy which we wanted to share with all of you. They state what burnout truly is – a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. Burnout in the course of dealing with a pandemic can make you feel emotionally drained and unable to function in the context of many aspects of life. Burnout can lower your motivation and cause you to feel helpless, hopeless, and resentful. Knowing what burnout is and admitting you might be experiencing this is the first step. Next you need to help yourself out or if it is your partner, family member, friends experiencing this – help them too. Read the article here as it is an excellent read.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7362153/
Regardless of whether you or loved ones are experiencing burnout, most of us are feeling increased stress and or anxiety and it could be impacting sleep and possible adding to belly fat – which might also be compounded by stress eating or eating more comfort foods. We have some natural ways to help with these concerns.
Do you fall asleep out of pure exhaustion at the end of the day but then find yourself awake between 2:00 – 4:00 am? You are not alone! Take a survey of friends and colleagues of all ages…many of us have this dreaded wake-up call when we all should still be sleeping! This is stress calling and it’s time we reclaim our sleep.
A popular supplement that offers respite for those that wake up in the night and are feeling stressed is one with a blend of Relora and b vitamins. Over the past year many people are reaching for a natural alternative to deal with pandemic stress. Relora is sold out in many places as it really does help calm the mind and body into a relaxed state which in turn helps with sleep issues. Relora combined with B Complex is Clear Medicine’s favourite choice for stress and sleep disruption. And boy, does it work!
This really is the best option for patients who tend to wake up throughout the night, for highly stressed individuals and for menopausal women with hot flashes that cause sleep disruption. The Relora, which has been shown in studies to significantly reduce cortisol. It can also raise the anti-aging, anti-stress hormone DHEA within only two weeks of use. Also, Relora has been shown in studies to offer some relief for premenopausal women experiencing mild transitory anxiety.
Relora can be used to prevent health conditions associated with stress, including poor immunity, high blood pressure, insomnia and sleep disruption, loss of vitality and weight gain. The most effective Relora formulation should contain a mixture of B vitamins and folic acid. The recommended dose two at bedtime.
Most bodily tissues are targets for one or more hormones released from the pituitary gland. According to Mary Dallman, a professor of physiology at the University of California who studies the effects of stress on appetite and obesity, two predominant endocrine hormones, cortisol, and insulin, heavily influence caloric intake by acting on the brain. The stress hormone cortisol activates a strong response in the brain to match our perceived stress with a desire to eat comfort foods—the tasty treats we associate with pleasant experiences, often from childhood. Unfortunately, consuming comfort foods, which are typically high in carbohydrate and fat, can cause a resulting spike in our insulin level, leading to the accumulation of belly fat.
Unlike adrenaline, which draws on your fat stores for energy during stressful situations, cortisol consumes your muscle tissue for fuel. Prolonged stress can, therefore, lead to muscle wasting and high blood sugar simply because your body is struggling to adapt. When these conditions take over, stress becomes extremely destructive to your metabolism, body composition and wellness.
Through a complicated network of hormonal interactions, prolonged stress results in a raging appetite, metabolic decline, loads of belly fat and a loss of hard-won, metabolically active muscle tissue. In other words, stress makes us soft, flabby and much older than we truly are!
Since symptoms of stress vary widely, pinpointing whether or not it’s the main culprit behind your emotional eating or carb cravings can be difficult. The classic symptoms of stress, however, include a tendency to wake between 2 and 4 am headaches, salt cravings, digestive concerns, anxiety, muscle tension and more.
We recommend a cortisol reducing herbal support formula for patients that suffer from chronic stress. This is also a great formula for people that suffer from stress and also have thyroid concerns. Most of these patients have a weakened immunity due to chronic stress. A cortisol reducing herbal support formula uses a combination of ten highly valued herbal extracts with adaptogenic properties designed to support healthy, balanced adrenal gland function. According to studies, ashwagandha and other plant adaptogens effectively address all stages of both acute and chronic stress, supports the body’s ability to adapt to stressors and help avoid the damaging consequences of those stressors. Collectively, plant adaptogens can support symptoms of fatigue and enhance endurance as well as support normal mental and emotional wellbeing. Plant adaptogens also can increase the body’s ability to resist and recover from stress while providing an overall feeling of balance and normalization.
Remember these simple ways to de-stress daily: get exercise – long walks in nature are amazing! Read blog here. Eat well! Laugh often! Meditate! Stay connected with friends! Don’t sweat the small stuff! Be grateful!
Don’t forget your Naturopathic Doctor also can help with stress, anxiety and burnout. Make an appointment today and start feeling better.
Studies:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2359758/
