The Impact of Stress & How to Counter It

01 Jun The Impact of Stress & How to Counter It

The longer stress lasts, the more susceptible your health suffers.

But what do you do when it’s an infectious disease and the current state of our country is causing that stress? All of us are experiencing some level of stress related to this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. The world has changed and it’s changing very quickly. Change, whether good or bad, causes stress.

What do I mean when I say stress

There are many different types of stress. Over-exercise causes stress. Starvation causes stress. Getting sick causes stress. The stress that can do the most damage to our long term health & wellness is stress caused by anxiety and over-worrying. That sort of stress drains you slowly, makes you lose sleep & feel run down.

So, are you feeling more worried right now? Stressed out? Not able to think clearly? More tired than usual? Not sleeping well?

All of this is a normal response to stress. But when the stress goes on and on, it can cause a lot of damage to your health and well-being and that’s what I want to help you prevent.

I was really worried about this pandemic

I couldn’t sleep for a couple of weeks. I was worried about my own health and that of my family and friends.  I was worried about the future of my business. I’ve learned to choose joy over stress though. I’ve accepted that I might get sick and that somebody I love might get sick. I’ve accepted that my source of income might change.

I am not free and clear from coronavirus-induced stress though. The world we’re living in is one I don’t recognize anymore. I wonder what the world will look like tomorrow, in a week, in a month, and after the pandemic.

This chronic stress leads to burnout, also known as adrenal exhaustion or fatigue. The adrenal glands are little power houses producing the king of all hormones: CORTISOL. Cortisol mobilizes blood sugar and reduces inflammation for emergencies. It’s meant to be released in large amounts for a short period of time when you are in danger. It’s not meant to be on overdrive for months or years, like worrying for months on end.

My adrenal glands and yours need support now, more than ever!

Here are my 10 suggestions: 

1. Go outside every single day for sun and fresh air. One day I’ll bike for an hour or two. Another day I will turn up the garden. Every day I take my dog out for a long jog.
2. Hugs. If you don’t have anyone to hug, hug your pet or even a tree! A tree or pet can’t hug back but it’s a living being.
3. Meditate or relax. Escape into a book or a movie.
4. Give yourself permission to do nothing.
5. Connect and talk with loved ones and friends.
6. Exercise. Walk or do yoga.
7. Go to bed before 11 p.m. and get 8 hours of sleep every night.
8. Cook nutritious food.
9. Take a relaxing bath.
10. Take adaptogenic herbs to support your adrenal glands. Because adrenal adaptogenic herbs can have a variety of effects on different people, I always recommend working with your naturopathic doctor before starting any herbs or supplements.

Stay tuned for my next blog which will be all about herbs and supplements to support your adrenal glands during these hard times. Until then, stay safe and stay healthy!

Dr. Kimberly Brown, ND sees patients remotely and in office. She has many years of experience working with hormone imbalances. She can evaluate your adrenal health using saliva or a urine analysis. Knowing whether your cortisol levels are high or low is important in developing a treatment. Schedule your free phone consultation HERE.

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