Does December bring you peace, love and joy? Or is it more like craziness, stress and exhaustion?
If you answered the latter, you’re not alone.
In a survey conducted by the APA (American Psychological Association), it was revealed that more people say their stress increases rather than decreases around the holidays (38% versus 8%).*
This is bad news considering the damage stress can cause.
Why is stress so bad for your body?
Chronic stress depletes glutathione.
Glutathione is a molecule that protects the body in many ways. It shields cells from damage caused by oxidation and inflammation, aids in detoxification, and helps the immune system function at its best.
When we are healthy, our bodies make enough glutathione to protect us.
However, chronic stress eventually exhausts glutathione levels.
What can you do to help manage the effects of stress on your body?
A glutathione supplement is one option to help your levels. This is not effective taken orally; rather, it is best taken through a liposomal cream, nebulizer, suppository, or IV drip. These methods will help raise glutathione levels and your general antioxidant status, which can reduce inflammation and improve health. However, they do not raise glutathione inside the cells, which is where you need it most.
To raise glutathione levels inside the cells, you must enhance your body’s ability to recycle glutathione. Recycling glutathione means taking glutathione that has already been used and rebuilding it so it’s ready for action again.
Studies show a correlation between the inability to recycle glutathione and increased autoimmune disease.
One of the most important steps to enhance glutathione recycling is to remove stressors depleting glutathione levels. These may include lack of sleep, smoking, food intolerances, diets high in sugars and processed foods, excess alcohol intake, and metabolic imbalances, such as with hormones or the immune system.
Boosting your glutathione levels with a liposomal cream and supporting recycling can profoundly enhance the management of autoimmune disease, inflammatory disorders, chemical sensitivities, food sensitivities, and more.
Two more supplements to consider when supporting your body’s stress response:
AdrenaCalm helps reverse damage from stress and improve memory and cognition. AdrenaCalm is an excellent product for those that are subject to chronic stress or have an overactive brain that can disrupt healthy sleeping patterns. Over time this can lead to overstimulation and eventually a burn out of our adrenal glands. AdrenaCalm is in a convenient cream form (unlike many expensive and invasive measures used) that absorbs readily through the skin and goes directly into the bloodstream.
A key ingredient in this product is phosphatidylserine, which has been shown to help with lowering anxiousness and stress and helps to improve mood and cognitive function. When our bodies are in a constant state of stress and anxiousness the cortisol levels can elevate causing unfavorable side effects such as anxiousness, sluggish metabolism, and low mood. AdrenaCalm can help to lower the elevated cortisol levels and offer support to the adrenal glands and body.
Adaptocrine helps balance blood sugar and maintain energy levels. In times of stress the adrenal glands work extra hard to keep your body in harmony. Adaptocrine contains compounds that help normalize adrenal function, whether they are producing too much or too little. Adaptocrine also helps in balancing blood sugar to help maintain your energy levels. We recommend 3-6 capsules per day to help increase your energy and reduce your reliance on will-power to get through the day.
Finally, here’s a tip to help reduce stress that’s free and available to you right now.
PLAY.
A life of all work and no play (or all television and no play) makes us more vulnerable to stress-related diseases, depression, interpersonal violence, and addiction, according to Stuart Brown, MD, author of Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul.
Successful play is more a state of mind than a specific activity, and the health benefits go beyond stress relief. Regular play will make you feel better about yourself, stimulate brain activity, enable you to transform negative experiences, boost creativity and imagination, and help you connect with others.
Bottom line: Regular play simply makes people happier, and happiness is a great antidote to stress.
Playing for you could be roller skating, horse riding, basketball, crafting, storytelling, or playing fetch with the dog. The objective is to forget you’re engaging in a powerful form of stress relief because you’re having so much fun.
Supplements, taking time for yourself and eating well are all great ways to reduce stress this holiday season. Contact our office today at 612.223.8590 for help in managing the damaging effects of stress on your body.
And a special treat for you…two healthy smoothie options!
1 cup of mixed berries
½-1 Banana
4 oz. Coconut milk (or desired amount for smoothie thickness)
4 oz. Water (or desired amount for smoothie thickness)
1 scoop of Repairvite or Clearvite powder (both available in our clinic)
Ice
OR
1 cup of mixed greens (i.e. spinach and kale)
1 Banana
1 Kiwi
4 oz. Coconut milk (or desired amount for smoothie thickness)
4 oz. Water (or desired amount for smoothie thickness)
1 scoop of Repairvite or Clearvite powder (both available in our clinic)
Ice
Repairvite is to help repair the lining of the GI tract (where approximately 75-80% of our immune system lies). Clearvite is used after Repairvite and supports liver detoxification and hormone balance.
*”Holiday Stress Report.” American Psychological Association. American Psychological Association, 12 Dec. 2006. Web. 4 Dec. 2015.
