Stress, Cortisol and How This Affects Our Results
We are going through one of the most stressful times in modern history. In an effort to understand what stress can do to our bodies, I sat down and chatted on zoom with Dr. Terrie Van Alstyne, naturopathic doctor, about stress and its impact.
When we become stressed, it affects our hormone levels and causes our bodies to secrete adrenaline and cortisol. Short term stress is not a real problem, as we want to experience the “fight or flight” response. This is actually a good thing - it prepares our bodies to prepare to fight or run from danger. However, long-term stress is where the real concern begins.
Staying stressed over time causes our body to produce too much adrenaline and cortisol which leads to feelings of stress, anxiety and nervousness. The over production of these two hormones will damage our glands, organs, and tissues. It can also cause us to age quicker.
There are many physical signs of stress, some we may not even recognize as stress. You may experience frequent headaches, insomnia, depression, fatigue, digestive issues and irritability. Even OVER exercising can be too stressful on our bodies and deplete our energy levels.
The over production of adrenaline and cortisol can also cause weight gain, particularly around our mid-section. Our bodies then begin to release the “feel good hormones” Serotonin and Dopamine. This is when you find yourself craving carbs, sugar, chocolate and wine. Overtime, this can lead to long-term health issues. It can also depress our immune system, making us more susceptible to infections.
NOW is when we need to take extra care and find ways to lower our adrenaline and cortisol levels. Here are some helpful tips:
Identify the cause of stress and eliminate it if possible.
If not possible, we must CHANGE our mindset! We CAN control our Thoughts and Beliefs.
Identify negative coping patterns and replace them with positive ones.
Do relaxation and/or breathing exercises twice a day.
Exercise daily.
Work on improving communication. Let your partner and family know what you need in terms of self care so they can support you.
Eliminate caffeine, alcohol and refined carbs.
Increase your potassium - plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
Avoid processed foods!
Eat planned meals in a relaxed environment.
Catch my latest talk with Dr. Terri Van Alstyne here, as we discuss which foods and vitamins we need to be consuming to support our adrenal glands and help lower stress hormones.
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