Stress is a major contributor to why we just don't feel great. When we are stressed - physically, mentally or emotionally, we activate the fight or flight response which impacts our digestion, blood sugar, and hormonal health. We need this response when a bear is charging, but it's so damaging to our health when we need to relax and experience every day life.
Am I Stressed?
This is a common question because our body experiences stress in ways that we might not think are stressful.
Low blood sugar
Over-exercising
Poor sleep
Screens at night
Restricting foods
Low calorie/protein consumption
Ignoring emotional needs
All of these areas signal to our body that we are stressed.
What Can I Do?
Focus on Balancing Your Blood Sugar.
This is the most important step, because our overall health and hormones depend on it.
Our body has a beautiful innate system of checks and balances to keep blood sugar regulated. However, our body recognizes extreme high and lows as stress. A drop in blood sugar causes a release of the hormones; adrenaline, cortisol, and glucagon to convert glucose from stored fats. This increases the burden of estrogen, promotes the suppression of both thyroid hormones and progesterone and leads to mineral loss like potassium, magnesium and sodium.
Try These Ideas.
Eat within an hour of waking.
Eat balanced meals and snacks that contain protein, fat and carbohydrates.
Eat enough food to nourish your body.
Move for 10 minutes after eating to decrease blood sugar spikes.
Nutrient Density - What’s that all about?
Our bodies are sensitive to scarcity. If your body doesn’t feel like it’s getting enough, it down regulates production of sex hormones. Unfortunately, our body doesn’t know the difference between a famine or a new weight-loss diet.
Focus on Nutrient-Dense Foods.
Because our hormones are made from enzymes and enzymes need vitamins and minerals including grass-fed, organic animal foods into your diet will add the most bio-available nutrients- which is exactly what your body needs.
Add lots of good carbohydrates found in vegetables and fruits.
Our body needs the glucose from these foods to convert T4 and T3 to keep cells functioning optimally, improve metabolism and literally fuel every single part of your body.
Eat good quality fats because when we eat adequate amounts, we ensure that our body has enough fats and cholesterol to make sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone.
Be mindful of your gut.
You are what you absorb and if your gut isn’t functioning well, how can you absorb the needed nutrients?
We need adequate stomach acid to extract nutrients from the food we eat and prevent bacteria, pathogens and parasites from taking over our gut.
Try Eating This Way.
Choose a diverse diet of whole, fresh real foods.
Drink a glass of water with 1-2 tsp. of apple cider vinegar 15 minutes before eating.
Begin your meal by taking 5 slow deep belly breaths.
Chew your food well and slow down- no one is going to steal your meal.
Avoid processed foods, vegetable oils, alcohol daily and excessive use of pain medications - because all of these impact good gut health.
Include bone broth, gelatin and marshmallow root tea to support better gut health.
Balancing our blood sugar and digestion is an essential step for vital health.
My hope is that you will consider the many stressors that impact your health daily and begin by slowing changing your lifestyle and eating.
Restoring metabolism and hormonal health can happen and I’m here to support your journey.
You can find me here: https://www.janlindquistntp.com
Thanks for reading,
Jan
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