Happy Stress Awareness Month!

Stress awareness month always confused me. Aren't we always hyperaware of how stressed we are? What we may not realize is how stress affects us. The Price of Stress When we are stressed our limbic brain takes over, shutting down all body systems which do not help us fight or flee danger. Our digestive, reproductive and immune systems are turned off momentarily to move all our power and energy to our muscles to run or defend ourselves. Once the immediate danger is over, our systems revert back to normal functioning. The problem is, today our stressors are not momentary physical dangers but a constant bombardment of mental stress. We rush the kids to school. We get frustrated in traffic. Our boss comes down on us about a late project. Stressor after stressor attacks us. Our body is always on high alert. The adrenaline and cortisol never decrease. Our digestive, reproductive and immune systems are not turned back on.  The result is a host of autoimmune, reproductive, and digestive issues. Here are a few simple ways to combat stress and heal stress' effect on our bodies. Stress Fighting Foods Look to healthy whole foods. When we are stressed, we usually reach for sugar, caffeine, or our guilty pleasure. However, these foods can actually decrease our body's ability to combat stress. By eating healthy whole foods, especially leafy greens, avocado, seeds, and blueberries, we can stabilize our blood sugar and send calming nourishment to brains, relaxing and clearing our minds. ...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news