Is Your Stress Killing You?
Stress is unavoidable!
Covid, traffic, politics, financial woes, work and peer pressure, disagreements at home and children problems are just a few of the pressures people are under on a daily basis.
20% of work absenteeism at work is due to stress. More than 60% of adults say their life is more stressful now than five years ago.
Diet and stress:
The more stressed people become, the more their blood sugar/insulin levels become unstable and you end up on a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows.
People turn to quick fixes like coffee, sweets, cakes, fatty foods to keep them going. Some people even stop eating. They forget good nutrition and wonder why they angry, moody and tired. Digestive issues increase and so do headaches and joint/ muscular pains. Painkillers, anti-inflammatories, antidepressants and anti-anxiety tablets are eaten like Smarties.
Covid, traffic, politics, financial woes, work and peer pressure, disagreements at home and children problems are just a few of the pressures people are under on a daily basis.
20% of work absenteeism at work is due to stress. More than 60% of adults say their life is more stressful now than five years ago.
Diet and stress:
The more stressed people become, the more their blood sugar/insulin levels become unstable and you end up on a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows.
People turn to quick fixes like coffee, sweets, cakes, fatty foods to keep them going. Some people even stop eating. They forget good nutrition and wonder why they angry, moody and tired. Digestive issues increase and so do headaches and joint/ muscular pains. Painkillers, anti-inflammatories, antidepressants and anti-anxiety tablets are eaten like Smarties.
Increased risk of disease and accelerated aging:
Ongoing stress leads to bad health and less enjoyment in life. A person experiencing on going stress, has a five-fold increase in dying of heart related conditions and double the risk of developing diabetes. Hormonal and weight issues are prevalent in people that are stressed due to their eating habits and lack of exercise. A type personalities are more likely to develop auto immune diseases.
Digestive issues and mental health issues are very high on the list. Most people suffering from depression have digestive issues.
Stressed people tend to be on more medications and suffer early signs of “inflammaging”. Aging physically and mentally faster than a person that has less stress or manages stress better.
Ongoing stress leads to bad health and less enjoyment in life. A person experiencing on going stress, has a five-fold increase in dying of heart related conditions and double the risk of developing diabetes. Hormonal and weight issues are prevalent in people that are stressed due to their eating habits and lack of exercise. A type personalities are more likely to develop auto immune diseases.
Digestive issues and mental health issues are very high on the list. Most people suffering from depression have digestive issues.
Stressed people tend to be on more medications and suffer early signs of “inflammaging”. Aging physically and mentally faster than a person that has less stress or manages stress better.
Do this simple test, stress test:
Is your energy less now than it used to be?
Are you turning to sugary foods, teas, coffee and fast foods to keep you going?
Are you using alcohol, drugs, smoking, gambling or developed an online sex addition to cope?
Do you feel guilty when relaxing?
Do you have a persistent need for achievement?
Are you unclear about your goals in life?
Are you especially competitive?
Do you work harder than most people?
Do you get sick more easily?
If you answer yes to five or more, you are stressed. The higher the score, the greater the negative impact of stress on your life.
If you can’t change the situation you in, then what can you do to manage everything around that situation?
- Learn to stabilise your blood sugar levels with food and eat protein at each meal (see my tips on stabilising blood sugars).
- No snacking (see my tips on this).
- Aim to exercise and stretch every day 3 – 5 times per day for 4 minutes a time (see my tips).
- Take the right supplements to relax you and stabilise sugars.
- Reduce your dependency of stimulants by avoiding snacking and eating 4 small portions in the day. No coffee and alcohol 2 hours before bed and never drink on an empty stomach.
- Stop all social media an hour before you sleep and don’t reach for your cell phone as soon as you wake up.
- Learn techniques on how to manage stress. TRE (tension trauma release exercise), meditation, stretching, music or art therapy.
- Seek therapy for addictions and depression.
- Organise a fun activity at least once a week that encourages exercise.
