Stress is actually needed! We need it to improve physically, mentally and even strengthen our immune system. As we know though, too much of any good thing is bad, and there is a very fine line between a healthy amount of stress and it suddenly wreaking havoc. Stress surrounds us on a daily basis. Here are common causes of our regular daily stress.Physical stress - such as working out or physical activityWork StressFinancial StressSchool StressRelationship/ Friend/ Family StressStress from Monthly Hormonal Fluctuations These daily stressors consist of HUNDREDS of smaller stressors that add up and tend to linger on from extended periods of time causing havoc! These stressors can include Over Scheduling YourselfLack of sleepBad quality sleepPoor Diet (lack of protein, veggies, healthy fats, healthy carbs, fiber)Lack of proper hydrationsToo much Caffeine Unhealthy DietsDieting too longWorrying / AnxietyIndecision Procrastination Not enough exerciseToo much exerciseSitting down too muchBad PostureLong CommutesFear The list goes on and on! Individually these are not so bad. But many times, one causes another, which causes another leaving a domino effect which is hard to gain control over. The thing with stress is that it works at a cellular level. Literally causing the split and growth of cells (this happens everyday no matter what) but instead of developing cells which are the healthiest and best functioning your body can produce… they come out sub par. No your body is under stress, not functioning at its best. Hormones (which essentially control every mechanism in your body) are not functioning properly causing chaos which can have long term effects and take work and time to reverse! Soon these effects will become more visible. Here are some of the Negative Consequence of this Chronic Stress Build Up Decreased Brain FunctionChronic Stress has been shown to affect our ability to concentrate, delta reactions time, and inhibits our ability to think efficiently/Memory LossLong term stress affects our brain function and this includes our memory but limiting our ability to access our memories and even create new memories. Stress can even kill brain cells and limit our ability to learn. Proving stress management while in school is crucial!InflammationStress literally causes inflammation in our body, inflammation causes more stress which can then cause more inflammation it is a VICIOUS cycle! Inflammation can cause a multitude of different types of stressful situations for the body, from high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, hormone fluctuations or improper triggering of hormones, and so on. Weakened Immune SystemChronic stress again causes inflammation which can weaken our immune system. If you do get stress, this high stress level will then delay your recovery time and can even increase the severity of your symptoms. Constipation or DiarrheaStress can affect the motility of your GI tract. A large part of your immune system is considerate to come from your gut health. So yes, stress can cause constipation, diarrhea or bloating.Weight GainStress causes high levels of the stress hormone called cortisol. We do need cortisol daily, but when cortisol levels stay too high for too long this can lead to your body preferring belly fat storage, cause blood sugar fluctuations and even cause carb/sugar cravings further promoting that belly fat storage.Physical PainThat inflammation stress causes can come out as inflammation in your body causing pain in your back, joints, neck even causing tension headaches. Acne BreakoutsStress can cause hormonal imbalances, and as we know hormone fluctuations play a large role in skin health potentially causing acne, breakouts and even eczema or hives in response to stress!Chronic stress is a nasty thing to deal with, which as you can see can take a negative toll on your body in numerous ways. How can you reduce the stress in your body and take control back?Stress builds up when we feel helpless, out of control, or as if we are in able to deal with the load we are dealing with. So we need to take control. You need to take a look and identify what is causing this stress at the core and come up with a plan to manage it in a healthy way. Prioritize and delegate tasks/responsibilities, literally take work off your plateConsume a nutrient-dense balanced diet. Yes this included healthy fats, carbs, and proteinImprove Sleep Habits. Work on getting 7 hours of sleep a night.Daily reflections on the positives in your life, to help build a healthy mind. You can even meditateKeeping a journal. Some find it helps to relieve stress. Limiting your stimulant intake. We love our pre-workout, but don’t over do it!Exercise and move your body regularly, daily movement is important, just remember to rest and recover in betweenLastly, were not superheroes so there are supplements to help our bodies manage stress at a hormonal level. Stay tuned for a supplement coming out this Friday February 26th to help you conquer and control your stress!
Stress is actually needed! We need it to improve physically, mentally and even strengthen our immune system. As we know though, too much of any good thing is bad, and there is a very fine line between a healthy amount of stress and it suddenly wreaking havoc.
Stress surrounds us on a daily basis. Here are common causes of our regular daily stress.
- Physical stress - such as working out or physical activity
- Work Stress
- Financial Stress
- School Stress
- Relationship/ Friend/ Family Stress
- Stress from Monthly Hormonal Fluctuations
These daily stressors consist of HUNDREDS of smaller stressors that add up and tend to linger on from extended periods of time causing havoc! These stressors can include
- Over Scheduling Yourself
- Lack of sleep
- Bad quality sleep
- Poor Diet (lack of protein, veggies, healthy fats, healthy carbs, fiber)
- Lack of proper hydrations
- Too much Caffeine
- Unhealthy Diets
- Dieting too long
- Worrying / Anxiety
- Indecision
- Procrastination
- Not enough exercise
- Too much exercise
- Sitting down too much
- Bad Posture
- Long Commutes
- Fear
The list goes on and on! Individually these are not so bad. But many times, one causes another, which causes another leaving a domino effect which is hard to gain control over.
The thing with stress is that it works at a cellular level. Literally causing the split and growth of cells (this happens everyday no matter what) but instead of developing cells which are the healthiest and best functioning your body can produce… they come out sub par.
No your body is under stress, not functioning at its best. Hormones (which essentially control every mechanism in your body) are not functioning properly causing chaos which can have long term effects and take work and time to reverse! Soon these effects will become more visible.
Here are some of the Negative Consequence of this Chronic Stress Build Up
Decreased Brain Function
Chronic Stress has been shown to affect our ability to concentrate, delta reactions time, and inhibits our ability to think efficiently/
Memory Loss
Long term stress affects our brain function and this includes our memory but limiting our ability to access our memories and even create new memories. Stress can even kill brain cells and limit our ability to learn. Proving stress management while in school is crucial!
Inflammation
Stress literally causes inflammation in our body, inflammation causes more stress which can then cause more inflammation it is a VICIOUS cycle! Inflammation can cause a multitude of different types of stressful situations for the body, from high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, hormone fluctuations or improper triggering of hormones, and so on.
Weakened Immune System
Chronic stress again causes inflammation which can weaken our immune system. If you do get stress, this high stress level will then delay your recovery time and can even increase the severity of your symptoms.
Constipation or Diarrhea
Stress can affect the motility of your GI tract. A large part of your immune system is considerate to come from your gut health. So yes, stress can cause constipation, diarrhea or bloating.
Weight Gain
Stress causes high levels of the stress hormone called cortisol. We do need cortisol daily, but when cortisol levels stay too high for too long this can lead to your body preferring belly fat storage, cause blood sugar fluctuations and even cause carb/sugar cravings further promoting that belly fat storage.
Physical Pain
That inflammation stress causes can come out as inflammation in your body causing pain in your back, joints, neck even causing tension headaches.
Acne Breakouts
Stress can cause hormonal imbalances, and as we know hormone fluctuations play a large role in skin health potentially causing acne, breakouts and even eczema or hives in response to stress!
Chronic stress is a nasty thing to deal with, which as you can see can take a negative toll on your body in numerous ways.
How can you reduce the stress in your body and take control back?
Stress builds up when we feel helpless, out of control, or as if we are in able to deal with the load we are dealing with. So we need to take control. You need to take a look and identify what is causing this stress at the core and come up with a plan to manage it in a healthy way.
- Prioritize and delegate tasks/responsibilities, literally take work off your plate
- Consume a nutrient-dense balanced diet. Yes this included healthy fats, carbs, and protein
- Improve Sleep Habits. Work on getting 7 hours of sleep a night.
- Daily reflections on the positives in your life, to help build a healthy mind. You can even meditate
- Keeping a journal. Some find it helps to relieve stress.
- Limiting your stimulant intake. We love our pre-workout, but don’t over do it!
- Exercise and move your body regularly, daily movement is important, just remember to rest and recover in between
Lastly, were not superheroes so there are supplements to help our bodies manage stress at a hormonal level.
Stay tuned for a supplement coming out this Friday February 26th to help you conquer and control your stress!
