1. Hindering your digestion
The number one consideration if your digestion isn’t optimal is how your stress levels are. Your internal stress response directly affects your digestion, it starts depleting stomach acid which hinders your absorption, because, after all, who need to put energy into digesting your latest meal if you are running away from a major threat? This takes priority, of course?
2. It can affect your hormones
Your body is primed to react to stress in the same way it was in cave men times, when threats were more physical. Your body is therefore unlikely to prioritise your menstrual cycle, for example, if it’s main priority is survival.
Stress uses up the raw materials we need for healthy hormones, plus, cortisol competes with progesterone more directly.
3. It can upset your sleep
There are some direct and indirect effects when it comes to stress and sleep.
Most people have experienced overthinking or struggling to sleep the night before a big event, but if this is chronic it can be problematic.
So, stress will directly affect your ability to sleep, but what about the next day? As every mum of young kids knows, a lack of sleep can affect our food choices, cravings, and mean we are more likely to reach for stimulants - the very items that can further exaggerate our internal stress response!
What can be done to help?
1. Prioritise protective nutrients
Magnesium, the B vitamins and vitamin C can all becomed drained in times of stress, therefore, these are the very ones we need to top up in. Start by prioritising dietary sources and top up with supplements where necessary.
2. Address dehydration
Even being remotely dehydration can increase cortisol and can contribute to symptoms of anxiety.
3. Work on achieving better sleep and promoting more calm
Employ some calming herbs if you’re struggling to cope with stress in the day, or switch off come night time. Poor sleep will only make our resilience to stress worse the next day.
4. Move more
Moving more can actively help to improve your mood, relieve stress and also means you can feel more ready for a good sleep come night time.
Get outside to move where possible, to further encourage healthy circadian rhythms.
Exposure to daylight in the first part of the day will mean you're more likely to feel sleepier come night time.
