With 85% of diseases having stress-related factors, control and elimination of stress and anxiety are keys to optimal health. Stress and anxiety negatively effect metabolism, blood sugar balance, immunity, cardiovascular health and memory. We have the same stress response today that man had at the beginning of civilization. What has changed is the nature of the stress response. Today we experience a prolonged stress response. In the past we experienced a danger, when the danger was over our stress subsided. Today we are under constant pressure, our bodies use the same response to pressure that we use for danger. Pressure is constant; so to is the stress state.

Stress and anxiety breaks us down physically and emotionally. Stress and anxiety can eat away at our nervous systems, causing sleeplessness and fatigue. Stress and anxiety wear out our adrenal glands. With stress and anxiety our bodies are constantly bombarded with adrenalin. Adrenalin makes us more nervous and tense than we already are; at the same time adrenalin tells the pancreas to push out too much insulin or not enough, causing our blood sugar to swing between hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and a diabetic state. Blood sugar swings can make us crabby and irritable.

Excessive intake of refined carbohydrates will only contribute to wild blood sugar swings. This is not the time to indulge your sweet tooth no matter how strongly you crave that sweet pick me up. This is the time to fill your body with intense nutrition. Eat lots of vegetables and fruit. During stress and anxiety our bodies use up our stores of vitamins B and C, so they need to be replaced daily. Fruits and especially vegetables are the best way to do this. Stress also causes oxidation and this harms our bodies on a cellular level; intensely colored vegetables and fruits contain necessary antioxidants to prevent this damage.

Increasing lean protein is critical for rebuilding; remember stress and anxiety literally break us down, using up crucial amino acids which are necessary for making hormones, neurotransmitters and enzymes.

Exercise is a stress and anxiety buster and in addition it lowers your risk of depression, cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Exercise increases your energy level; it helps you sleep and think better and slows down the aging process. Exercise is so important to your health it should be prescribed. Schedule exercise: write it down in your day book or calendar. Treat exercise like a very important meeting that can not be missed.

Deep breathing and meditation can greatly enhance your ability to deal with stress and anxiety and reduce the damage they create. You can learn transcendental meditation by going to www.tm.org. Deep breathing is easy and can be done any time you feel anxious or stressed out. We have a tendency to breath very shallow when under stress. Try to take five deep slow breaths (feel your lungs fully expand and your belly swell) the next time you are stressed and notice how calming and relaxing this is.

Adaptogenic herbs have restorative abilities that modulate your stress response; they have the unique ability to either stimulate or sedate depending on your body’s needs. Holy basil decreases cortisol production and helps to regulate blood sugar. Cortisol production is elevated when your adrenal glands are overstressed. Maca improves the body’s ability to handle stress. Siberian Ginseng prevents the release of excessive hormones from the adrenal glands and also prevents stress induced damage to your immune system. Rhodiola root increases endurance and stamina and helps to keep you mentally sharp when you are under stress.

Fish oils improve our disposition, focus, and behavior as well as reduce mood swings, lessen feelings of anger and loneliness, and support clear thinking and memory.

There is evidence that those suffering from anxiety and insomnia do not make enough GABA. GABA is a natural calming agent. GABA increases the production of alpha-waves in the brain. Alpha waves promote relaxation. GABA also reduces beta- waves associated with anxiety, nervousness and scattered thinking. GABA is fast acting in a chewable or sublingual form; effects are felt in 5 minutes and can last from 4-6 hours. L-Theanine, an amino acid found in tea, also generates alpha-waves; in 30 to 60 minutes you may experience a profoundly relaxed state without feeling drowsy. L-Theanine fosters the relaxed state which helps you to fall asleep and stay asleep. L-Theanine also counteracts the affect of too much caffeine.

Magnesium deficiency is common, and causes anxiety, insomnia, nervousness, leg cramps and heaviness in the legs, fatigue, heart palpitations and arrhythmias. Magnesium is rapidly depleted by stress and supports adrenal gland function. Magnesium is the light producing mineral found in plants; think of it as trapped sunlight. Magnesium is both calming and energizing.

Hops alleviate anxiety by sedating the central nervous system. Skullcap also has a sedative effect and can be helpful with anxiety.

B vitamins support our nerve tissue and nerve function; they are involved in the conversion of essential fats and amino acids into proteins, hormones and enzymes. B vitamins enhance the ability of GABA to bind to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain which alleviates anxiety.

Let us help you explore these and other options that will help you control stress and anxiety in your life.

From Evergreen’s Archives: November 2008

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