Stress Impacts your Health - What You can Do About it

Growing white hairs well before your time? Finding yourself overthinking every little detail for no obvious reason? Well then, my friend, you might be feeling a little stressed at the moment, and that’s totally natural. It’s nothing to be freak out about, especially now during Covid-19 - Is this over yet?!

Stress is just an involuntary response we go through while we’re on this crazy train ride called ‘life’. How to cope and keep afloat all depends on how you handle this stress. Here are some clues and tips on how to cope - maybe it can regulate those stress hormones.

Have you noticed any changes in your eating behaviour?

This could be linked to stress. Some tend to overeat out of nervousness and use food as a sense of comfort. Some crave foods that are high in sugar, fat, and carbohydrates.

On the other side, there are personality types that feel too stressed to eat at all. They may not have an appetite and gravitate more towards using stimulants like coffee and sugary drinks.

What is important to have in mind is that low blood sugar makes  stress worse. Be aware of your blood sugar and eat several times throughout the day. Try not to go hungry. 

Remember, there is no right or wrong here; be aware without being critical. Stress is what drives you to this changed eating behavior, not your lack of self-control.

What to eat when stressed

Your immune system can become weakened during stressful times, so make sure to boost it with extra nutrition.

Some of the best foods for regulating stress hormones are fatty fish such as tuna and salmon. Incorporate healthy fats such as olive oil, walnuts, avocado, pistachios, and almonds to your go-to dishes. Make sure to include green leafy vegetables like broccoli, spinach and kale, since they contain essential minerals such as iron and magnesium. Give your body some extra B vitamins too. You can find this in organic eggs, oatmeal, tofu, and tempeh.

Your body and skin will thank you.

Exercising to release stress

We all know that exercise is excellent for releasing dopamine and decreasing stress hormones and unwanted energy. However, in already stressful periods, this knowledge can put extra pressure and guilt on us. Sometimes squeezing in a yoga class adds more stress than it releases. Remember to be mindful and kind. Some days sweaty burpees are what you need, while other calls for a calm outdoor walk. Do what makes you feel good at the time. Need a little inspo? Check out some free online fitness resources.

Boost your vitamin intake

Make sure to boost your body with some extra vitamins during stressful periods. B vitamins that we aforementioned are beneficial for nervousness and anxiety. Vitamin C boosts the immune system and regulates cortisol levels. Also natural supplements such as rhodiola, ashwagandha, and CBD helps to regulate the body to its healthy balance.

Get your mind on something else 

Relaxation and recovery does not always mean chilling on the couch. When your mind is in spirals of stressful thoughts, the sofa situation might just keep you in the loop of thinking.

Call your friends, go for a walk, play with your pet. Shift your focus, have a laugh - it will instantly make you feel better.

Catch your ZZZ’s

What's more efficient then sleep when it comes to boosting the immune system and coping with stress? We'd say not much! But we all know that sleep is often the first thing we neglect when stressed. 

Tip 1:  Wind down a few hours before bed with a self-care routine. We recommend incorporating a CBD-ritual.  First place four drops of CBD under the tongue, mindfully breathe in and out ten times. Finally, take a notebook and write down three things you're thankful for. 

Tip 2: If you can only use your bedroom as a place for sleeping. Try not to watch Netflix or scroll through Instagram in bed. Our brains react to the blue light from the screens as it was daylight, which makes it harder to get into the zzz mode.

Tip 3: Take a hot bath or shower before bed. You will sleep more soundly. A hot bath or shower at night is relaxing and will be sleep-inducing if you take it an hour or two before you go to bed.