How Do You Experience & Deal With
Stress?
By New Chapter & Christine Dreher, CCN, CCH
 We
all deal with stressors in our lives but we differ not only in what we
perceive to be stressful but in how we experience stress. Some people
experience stress in the form of worry, tension, irritability, inability
to focus and/or difficulty sleeping. These people are clearly in need of
more calming influences, however, sometimes the people who need more
calm don’t even realize it.
On the other end of the spectrum are individuals who
experience stress as fatigue, low energy, lack of motivation, and/or
muscle soreness. These people have burned the candle at both ends for
too long are experiencing an energy deficit. Although they may be
tempted to reach for stimulants like caffeine or sugar, they will only
feel worse when they experience the crash that comes after as their
energy deficit worsens. These people don’t just need more energy; they
need sustained energy support that can only come from an improvement in
mitochondrial functions.
So How Does Stress Affect Our Health?
Stress is a complex physiologic response triggered by
any situation perceived as challenging or threatening. It is
orchestrated in large part by the action of hormones such as cortisol
and adrenaline and is designed to enhance our survival by providing a
short burst of energy and strength – also known as the fight or flight
mechanism.
This type of response places high demands on the
body’s cells, specifically structures within the cells called
mitochondria, to produce energy. This increases the requirement for
glucose as well as micronutrients. And, just as revving an engine
produces more exhaust, so do your cells in times of stress…in the form
of unstable molecules called free radicals. If there isn’t a sufficient
amount of antioxidants available to neutralize them, free radicals will
cause damage to cell membranes, proteins, DNA and even the mitochondria
itself, accelerating the aging process and compromising energy
production.
Other changes that occur in response to stress include
an increase in heart rate, elevation of blood pressure, increase in
blood sugar, slowing of digestion, and shunting of blood away from vital
organs (to the muscles). All of these changes disrupt the body’s normal
state of homeostasis or balance. That’s why the stress response is only
meant to be activated for a short periods of time followed by longer
periods of rest and recovery. The problem for most of us is that too
many of the things we face on a day to day basis — traffic, screaming
kids, financial troubles, a demanding boss, or even the feeling that we
must always stay busy — all register as threatening situations, leaving
our bodies in a constant state of imbalance.
If the stressors don’t go away and adaptation does not
occur, then the body will not be able to recover or rebalance and health
may suffer. The fact that up to 90% of healthcare practitioner visits in
the U.S. are stress-related suggests that most of us could use some
assistance with adaptation, recovery and energy production.
Finding Your Perfect Balance:
 Perfect
Calm by
New Chapter is the ideal organic whole-food multivitamin, mineral,
herbal and nutrient formula for those seeking calming and nurturing
stress support by combating stress, enhancing calm and promoting overall
well-being.
Perfect Calm multivitamin is a certified organic, cultured, and
complete whole-food multivitamin containing 23 whole-food vitamins and
minerals specifically formulated to provide optimal health and overall
well-being, help combat stress and enhance calm. Targeted, whole-food
vitamin nutrients including Vitamin A, B-Vitamins, Vitamin C and
Selenium help to enhance overall mood and combat oxidative stress.
Perfect Calm’s comprehensive formula also includes 1,000 IU Vitamin D3,
Natural Vitamin K2 and Plant Sourced Calcium.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for health of the
adrenal glands where it is stored. It plays a vital role in the
production of stress hormones and is often depleted during times of
chronic stress. It is therefore important to replenish body stores with
whole food forms of vitamin C.
Another important group of nutrients for supporting
the stress response, energy production and neurotransmitter balance is B
vitamins. Since most B vitamins work together, the greatest benefit is
received when they are supplemented as part of a complex.
Immune-supportive and enzyme activating nutrients like
vitamin A and Zinc can also help maintain the health of the body during
prolonged exposure to stress.
Perfect Calm also contains anti-stress herbs that help to calm and
balance. Herbs included are: Chamomile, Holy Basil, Lemon Balm,
Turmeric, and Ginger to support your body in coping with stress, fatigue
and worry.
Holy Basil has been shown in scientific studies to modulate cortisol
and ease a worried mind. Chamomile and Lemon Balm offer additional
soothing effects by promoting healthy levels of calming
neurotransmitters.
Two important functions in our body that can be
affected by high levels of stress are our digestive system and immune
system. So Perfect Calm includes Elderberry, Eleuthero, and Astragalus
for immune system support and Aloe leaf, Peppermint, Coriander,
Cardamom, Ginger, and Artichoke leaf for digestive support. Turmeric has
also been included to reduce stress-related inflammation in the body.
Perfect Calm also contains targeted whole-food probiotics minerals
for stress support including GTF Chromium, Zinc, Magnesium and Selenium.
Click here for more information on Perfect Calm by New Chapter.
Perfect Energy by
New Chapter is the ideal organic whole-food multivitamin, mineral,
herbal and nutrient complex designed to provide all day, enhanced
energy, performance and endurance without the crash of traditional
stimulants. Perfect Energy promotes radiant health and energy levels;
not by over stimulating an already exhausted system, but instead by
realigning our own source of energy and removing restrictions to it,
providing key catalysts to energy flow. It supports long life by
harmonizing functions of body, mind, and spirit.
Perfect Energy contains 23 whole-food vitamins and minerals
specifically formulated to provide optimal health and overall
well-being, sustained energy levels and enhanced stamina. Targeted,
whole-food vitamin nutrients including B-Vitamins, Vitamin E and
Selenium provide critical support in natural energy production. Also
included are 1,000 IU Vitamin D3, Natural Vitamin K2 and Plant Sourced
Calcium to help to provide comprehensive, whole-food nutritional
support.
Perfect Energy contains energizing herbs, such as Organic Maca
(increases stamina & athletic performance & promotes feeling of
well-being), Organic Cordyceps (enhances liver/kidney chi & supports
power & energy), Organic Green Tea (creates thermogenic energy & cell
protection), Organic Schizandra (develops primary energies, effortless
adaptation to healthy exertion), Organic American Ginseng ((increases
physical & mental efficiency & regulates energy systems), Rhodiola (see
below), and Organic Cardamon seed.
Perfect Energy also contains Grape Seed Extract to optimize cellular
energy production and help sustain energy levels all day. A clinically
studied proprietary Grapeseed extract provides powerful antioxidants
that help optimize mitochondrial energy production by decreasing muscle
soreness and promoting recovery following physical exertion or other
stressful events.
Also included is Turmeric to improve circulation, act
as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and support cardiovascular
health and Ginger to boost energy, support digestive and cardiovascular
health.
Perfect Energy contains Rhodiola rosea (Rose Root) which is an
exalted herbal stress “adaptogen.” Rhodiola rosea thrives in high
altitudes and in nature’s most challenging climates. It is best known
for its resilience and delivers the promise of an inner oasis of peace
and energy in our fast-paced world. Rhodiola is intensively studied for
enhancing concentration and endurance, uplifting one’s mental state, and
supporting optimal immune, adrenal, and cardiovascular function even
under conditions of severe stress. Rhodiola has been widely used by
Russian athletes and cosmonauts to increase energy.
Organic Vital Rhythms Flower Essences act as a conduit
for energy flow as they awaken the balancing aspects to respond to
physical, mental and emotional influences.
Perfect Energy contains five organic flower essences including:
Indian Pink, Morning Glory, Penstemon, Self-Heal and Zinnia --to awaken
the inner spirit, revitalize healthy life rhythms, and uplift to the
pure source of intention, purity, focus and joy.
Click here for more information on Perfect Energy by New Chapter.
12 Stress Reduction Tips:
- Get enough sleep (7- 8 hrs) at the proper times (go
to bed before 10 PM).
- Eat primarily fresh organic fruits, vegetables, and
whole grains and healthy sources of protein.
- Practice an effective stress-reducing meditation.
- Avoid overloading your senses, especially in the
evening before sleep.
- Listen to relaxing music.
- Get a massage.
- Remember to make time to play and relax each day.
- Take an antioxidant supplement.
- Exercise regularly.
- Deep abdominal breathing.
- Write out an ongoing list of your “to-do’s” and
concerns so you can calm and free your mind.
- Supplement with adaptogenic herbs and complexed
nutrients that support a healthy stress response, like
Perfect Calm or
Perfect Energy whole food multivitamin formula by
New Chapter.
Don't let stress overwhelm you: A whole-food,
multivitamin, mineral and herbal complex such as
Perfect Calm or
Perfect Energy can provide an essential foundation for a healthy
stress response.
|
