Not stressed-out? I don't believe you.
windowsill peote
I want to talk about stress. I would rather not, but it is sort of hard to avoid right now.
There is no way to deny there are a lot more ambient stress(ors) around than there was even a year ago.
But this word Stress is so over-used it seems to lack any specific meaning.
What is it technically? Stress is your body’s way of reacting to any kind of change that disturbs the body's equilibrium, forcing physiological adaptations. It is your system’s nonspecific biological response to any demand placed on it.
It only really becomes challenging when it outpaces our ability to recover & adapt & it starts to substantially impact health.
Stress isn't just the anxious energy of dealing with things we don't want to have to deal with but includes:
Physical stressors (injury, illness, intense workouts, weird weather)
Emotional & mental stressors (Trump, trauma, work deadlines, relationship issues, feeling unsafe - even if you are)
Chemical stressors (toxins, dietary imbalances, heavy metals, specific mineral deficiencies)
Lifestyle stressors (poor sleep, inadequate nutrition, overwork, having to spend time in places that are uncomfortable to you)
In case you didn't know; stress is no joke when it comes to impacts on health.
•Micro-nutrient Depletion: Stress triggers the "fight or flight" response, increasing the demand & utilization of certain nutrients, especially magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin C & iron.
•Increased Excretion: Stress hormones like cortisol can lead to increased excretion of minerals such as magnesium, potassium & calcium.
•Malabsorption: Stress can disrupt the digestive system, leading to decreased nutrient absorption.
•Bi-directional Relationship: Stress can cause nutrient deficiencies & existing deficiencies exacerbate the body's stress response; creating a vicious cycle 🌪️.
Here are 3 simple things to boost your ability to handle stress:
Think about your magnesium: When you’re stressed, your body needs more magnesium (also Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Calcium, Copper & Iron). This mineral is a big player in keeping your stress response in check & it is vital for regulating that response. Funny enough, feeling tired, grumpy, or anxious can be signs of both stress & low magnesium. Plus magnesium deficiency symptoms can heighten stress responses. I strongly suggest magnesium supplements because it is pretty hard to get enough Mg in your diet. But if you do not know your HTMA levels get a test interpreted first!
Even a few minutes of sensory awareness or deep breathing can help lower stress hormones. Doing this regularly can make a real difference in how your body bounces back from stress.
Connect with other Humans. Talking with someone you trust is one of the best ways to regulate your stress response. Experiencing support will help your body feel safer & less stressed. The experience of safety is one of the strongest 'medicines' for a jangled nervous system & endocrine system.
Building resilience to stress is something we should all be focused on right now. Lets not let the stress of the times we are living in get the better of us!
I made an AI-Podcast to review some articles & studies related to stress & minerals; delightfully it turned out pretty well!
Please listen if you want more details.
If you have any questions or want to talk about how to manage your stress better, just let me know!
Schedule a time to connect ... ⏰
Peace,
Loro / Eden
