Stress can slow you down, alter mood and thinking and make your body toxic.

It’s very important to pay attention to your stress levels so that you can stop them from increasing and hopefully reverse their ill effects. Stress comes on in many undesirable ways;

• Skin conditions, such as eczema
• Autoimmune diseases
• Obesity
• Depression
• Pain of any kind
• Heart disease
• Digestive problems
• Sleep problems

Any form of prolonged stress can lead to a buildup of dangerous toxins in the body. It can also form concentrations of free radicals that can dull your immune system and slow down your metabolism. It disturbs sleep patterns, alters thought and decision-making processes, and increases blood sugar and cortisol levels.

Poor sleep quality increases mental and physical strain. For improved sleep quality, try using natural supplements containing melatonin, Valerian root, chamomile, or lavender.

Adrenalin and cortisol hormones are both released during times of stress and cause an increase in blood sugar. If these sugars aren’t used right away, they get stored as abdominal fat. Cortisol, also dubbed the “stress hormone,” has been proven to cause food cravings and an increased appetite, and that’s not good!

To combat daily stresses, try these tactics:

1. Often while training you can become bitter about diet and nutrition options. It takes the enjoyment out of meals. Put it back in by slowing down and appreciating what your food is doing for you. Rather than seeing food as an obstacle, understand your food choices to be nourishing compromises necessary for the benefit of your body and mind.

2. Take your training out of the gym on occasion to gain a new perspective. Get some fresh air and clear your head. Breathing exercises are proven to be big stress reducers. Add a good stretch and breathe oxygen into your muscles, as well as your mind.

3. If you find yourself stressing out, avoid your triggers! If you get worked-up on the drive into the gym, opt for a walk or bike ride instead.

4. Try natural supplements like Alpha-Lipoic Acid or ALA, an essential fatty acid. Research suggests that a quality ALA supplement added to a healthy diet improves the operation of the cerebral cortex. This is the area of the brain that is responsible for processing sensory information. It’s been shown to increase energy production and protein synthesis. These little acids are quite thrilling because they actually seek out the free radicals and the nasty heavy metals in the body’s system to clear them away! ALA lowers blood glucose levels and prevents tissue and nerve damage.

For more information on ALA, click here.

Any supplements containing quality antioxidants can help rid your body of damaging free radicals. They also help to restore glycogen levels after a workout.

Tags: antioxidants

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