Stress is a part of our lives. However, when you are stressed — no matter the reason — it’s important to identify the cause. The last thing you want is to turn to unhealthy coping habits such as drinking or smoking to relieve stress.
Problems are a part of life, but how we handle them and take charge of the situation determines how quickly we move through them. Here are some of our top tips for dealing with stress.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Your diet should be high in plant‑based foods that contain complex carbohydrates, which release energy slowly. Avoid simple sugars and refined carbs such as maple syrup, brown sugar, table sugar, honey, dried fruit and agave syrup, as they can spike glucose levels and increase cortisol.
Add plenty of good fats to your diet. Omega‑3 fats (walnuts, flax seeds, chia seeds) and DHA/EPA (trout, mackerel, sardines, salmon) are excellent sources of healthy fats.
Add Health Supplements and Vitamins
B vitamins play a major role in producing energy, and they work synergistically with minerals such as chromium and zinc.
Stress can deplete your body of essential minerals and vitamins, so adding supplements can help restore balance. The quality and quantity of vitamins matter — even if you believe your diet is providing everything, supplementation may still be beneficial.
Learn to Say NO
A common cause of stress is juggling too many responsibilities with too little time. Many people continue to take on more tasks even when overwhelmed.
Learning to say no to unimportant or additional requests can help reduce stress levels and build self‑confidence.
Practice Meditation
Relaxation techniques help you enter a restful state that keeps your fight‑or‑flight hormones balanced. Meditation and deep breathing activate the vagus nerve, which supports your heart, lungs and digestive tract.
Thoughts may come and go — your aim is not to react emotionally. Observe your thoughts without fighting them. Let them pass. Become an observer. Let go.
Buy Health Supplements Online
Northumbria Health offers a range of health supplements to help ensure your body receives all the minerals and vitamins it needs.