May is Nation Women's Health Month and women are stressed more now than ever and this increased stress may be harming their health. Most women hit the ground running early in the morning and don't let up until late at night, trying to balance work, family, and home life.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?
A survey of women has shown that they tend to experience physical symptoms of stress more than men.i Stress in women is thought to contribute to a number of conditions including Irritable Bowel Syndrome,ii frequent colds,iii insomnia, poor mental performance, and even weight gain.iv
WHAT CAN I DO?
The first thing to do is recognize the early signs of stress. When you have identified your triggers then you can take action to calm yourself.
Try the following:
Recognize the signs: Loss of appetite, increased appetite, headaches, crying, sleeplessness, and oversleeping are all signs that you may be too stressed.
Relax: Deep breathing, exercise, and meditation are all helpful.
Control what you can: Focus on what you can get done and then let the rest of it go. You will never be able to accomplish everything you want to.
Exercise: The stress response is also known as the "fight or flight" response, meaning that when you feel stress, your body is ready for action. Exercising has been shown to help with stress and anxiety.
Supplementation: there are many nutrients that can help with stress reduction.
L-Theanine is an amino acid which is known to help reduce stress.vi It works on the brain to help people feel relaxed but not drowsy.
Ashwagandha is an herb that has been studied to help reduce stress in humans.vii
Beta Sitosterol is a natural plant sterol and that has helped reduce the increase in cortisol in normally seen in stressed athletes.viii
L-Tyrosine is an amino acid used by the body to create the neurotransmitter norepinephrine and has helped to prevent a decline in cognitive function in response to physical stress.
One of the hardest things for many women to do is to think of themselves first, but taking care of yourself and reducing your stress is a great way to be present and available to the people around you. Shaklee has many helpful products to deal with this daily stress. Check them out at http://mjshealthyway.com
Have a Healthy and Productive Wednesday
MJ
Thanks to Shaklee Health and Wellness Update for the info.
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