Many of us know what stress feels like – headaches, muscle tension, moodiness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, low energy and digestive issues.
But it’s what we can’t see or feel that’s most concerning.
The stress hormone cortisol is produced by the body for stress response and survival. However, studies show that high levels of cortisol in the body from long-term stress can increase:
- Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Blood sugar
- Blood pressure
- Plaque build-up
These are common risk factors for not only cardiovascular disease but also neurological conditions such as stroke, dementia and cognitive decline.
Take control of your stress.
- Identify your stress triggers. Knowing your stress triggers gives you a powerful tool to effective stress management. What specifically makes you feel angry, tense, worried or irritable?
- Have a ‘go-to’ stress busting strategy for instant relief. Try deep breathing, a quick walk, guided imagery, mindfulness, cold water therapy or five minutes of full body stretching.
- Fuel your body with stress-busting nutrients. A poor diet can bring greater reactivity towards stress. Bolster your defence against stress with:
- B vitamins: eggs, avocado, lean red meat, tuna, lean chicken, milk, oats and nuts.
- Vitamin D: sunlight, salmon, mushrooms, cheese and natural yoghurt.
- Vitamin C: citrus fruits, berries, capsicum and broccoli.
- Magnesium: leafy greens, potatoes, green beans, almonds, pumpkin and turkey breast.