Calmatives

Stress Health Concerns:

Any reaction to a physical, mental, or emotional stimulus that upsets the body’s natural balance is defined as stress. Unfortunately stress is an unavoidable part of everyday life. It is the result of a number of things, both physical and psychological. Whether it be pressures and deadlines at work, problems with loved ones, bills piling up, holiday preparation are all obvious sources of stress for people.

Overworked, not enough sleep, too much consumption of alcohol, physical ailments, and smoking are common physical factors that put unwanted stress on the body. Some people have a tendency to create their own stress; whether there is really anything objectively wrong in their lives or not, they find things to worry about. Others handle stress well. Some people are very negatively influenced by it. So many symptoms are caused by stress; fatigue, chronic headaches, irritability, changes in appetite, memory loss, low self-esteem, withdrawal, tooth-grinding, cold hands, high blood pressure, shallow breathing, nervous twitches, lower libido, insomnia or other changes in sleep patterns, and/or gastrointestinal disorders. Stress becomes an excellent breeding ground for illness. Research has shown that stress contributes to as many as 80 percent of all major illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, endocrine and metabolic disease, skin disorders, and infectious ailments of all kinds. Many practitioners believe that the majority of back problems—one of the most common adult ailments—are related to stress. Furthermore, stress is also a common precursor of psychological difficulties such as anxiety and depression.

Stress can also cause other disorders, such as nutritional deficiencies, especially deficiencies of the B-complex vitamins, so important in the proper functioning of the nervous system, and of certain electrolytes which are depleted by the body’s stress response. Free radicals are also formed due to stress, these become oxidized and damage body tissues, especially cell membranes.

Some recommendations:

• Take vitamins for stress such as the Herbs Etc line of products suggested here. ( Deep Health, Nervine Tonic, Deep Sleep, Adrenotonic )
• A diet composed of 50–75% raw foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid processed foods and any foods that create stress on the system: fried foods, carbonated soft drinks, chocolate, junk foods, red meat, sugar, foods containing preservatives or strong spices, chips and similar snack foods.
• Reduce intake of caffeine. It contributes to nervousness and can cause disruptions in sleep patterns.
• Alcohol, tobacco and mood-altering drugs should be avoided. As much as these substances may offer temporary relief from stress, they do nothing to come in aid of the problem and they are harmful to your health. The stress will be back the next day.
• Exercise on a regular basis. Physical activity contributes to clearing one’s mind and keeping stress under control.
• Relax. Learning to relax is often difficult for people suffering from the effects of stress, but is it necessary.
• Get proper sleep each and every night.
• Try meditation, practice deep breathing.
• Be conscious of your internal conversations.
• Make a list of the sources of stress in your life.
• Take a day off.
• Pursue a hobby.
• Avoid conflict, repressing or denying your emotions.
• Create a stress-free home environment.