Stressed Out...
Bite This: The top seven causes of stress include: job pressure, money, health, relationships, poor nutrition, media overload and sleep deprivation.
Now I know this will not sound like it will relate to food and nutrition, but it is all a cycle and I will come back around, trust me.
Know what stress does to your body? When you are under a lot of stress your body responds by releasing hormones such as adrenaline and glucocorticoids. One important glucocorticoid is cortisol. Cortisol regulates a whole host of bodily functions such as cardiovascular, immune and metabolic. This hormone is associated with stress because it is released in higher amounts during times of "fight or flight" response to stress. In small doses, cortisol can have some positive effects on the body including bursts of energy, increased immunity and memory function and decreased pain sensitivity. However, being in a chronically stressed state an imbalance/increased cortisol level can lead to some not so positive effects. Chronically high levels of cortisol can lead to hyperglycemia, weight gain, high blood pressure, decreased bone density, and decreased muscle tissue.
Knowing what you know now about the seven most commonly causes of stress and what stress does to hormone levels, what is the absolute best thing you can do to help fight this? Eat well, laugh often and exercise moderately. Yep. Simple. (Laughing has many of the same effects on stress relief as exercise - releases endorphins, improves immune system, relieves pain and increases satisfaction.)
If poor nutrition is one of the seven causes of stress, you can easily reduce that stress by eating well. Eating well will also help you cope with other stressors in your life including your health and sleep deprivation. Exercise in addition to eating well will also improve these. Exercise will also help regulate blood sugar (which cortisol can offset), as well as improve bone density and muscle tissue. Exercise is also a great coping mechanism for stress and can relieve some of the stress caused by other situations such as relationships, money and job issues. Taking time out to exercise can help clear your mind and help you make decisions and find solutions for stress caused by relationships, money and/or job pressure. So, really, exercise can combat all seven stressors!
So, it comes full circle - think about how much eating well and exercising can do for you and think about how much more energy, less stress, better health, and overall greatness you will feel from it.
Sound Bite: Next time you're feeling stressed, instead of freaking out, drinking alcohol or eating junk, try going for a walk/run. If that seems like too much, just dance. Wherever you are, turn up the music and dance. Trust me, it helps.
Now I know this will not sound like it will relate to food and nutrition, but it is all a cycle and I will come back around, trust me.
Know what stress does to your body? When you are under a lot of stress your body responds by releasing hormones such as adrenaline and glucocorticoids. One important glucocorticoid is cortisol. Cortisol regulates a whole host of bodily functions such as cardiovascular, immune and metabolic. This hormone is associated with stress because it is released in higher amounts during times of "fight or flight" response to stress. In small doses, cortisol can have some positive effects on the body including bursts of energy, increased immunity and memory function and decreased pain sensitivity. However, being in a chronically stressed state an imbalance/increased cortisol level can lead to some not so positive effects. Chronically high levels of cortisol can lead to hyperglycemia, weight gain, high blood pressure, decreased bone density, and decreased muscle tissue.
Knowing what you know now about the seven most commonly causes of stress and what stress does to hormone levels, what is the absolute best thing you can do to help fight this? Eat well, laugh often and exercise moderately. Yep. Simple. (Laughing has many of the same effects on stress relief as exercise - releases endorphins, improves immune system, relieves pain and increases satisfaction.)
If poor nutrition is one of the seven causes of stress, you can easily reduce that stress by eating well. Eating well will also help you cope with other stressors in your life including your health and sleep deprivation. Exercise in addition to eating well will also improve these. Exercise will also help regulate blood sugar (which cortisol can offset), as well as improve bone density and muscle tissue. Exercise is also a great coping mechanism for stress and can relieve some of the stress caused by other situations such as relationships, money and job issues. Taking time out to exercise can help clear your mind and help you make decisions and find solutions for stress caused by relationships, money and/or job pressure. So, really, exercise can combat all seven stressors!
So, it comes full circle - think about how much eating well and exercising can do for you and think about how much more energy, less stress, better health, and overall greatness you will feel from it.
Sound Bite: Next time you're feeling stressed, instead of freaking out, drinking alcohol or eating junk, try going for a walk/run. If that seems like too much, just dance. Wherever you are, turn up the music and dance. Trust me, it helps.
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