5 Stress Management Tips
Stress is a common problem that we all have to deal with in some way as part of modern-day living. There are many factors that can influence stress like work or social pressures, which in turn can have adverse effects on our health. These effects are insidious, thankfully, there are diet and lifestyle practices that will help to combat this, and yes! It does include rubbing one out.
Start your day right
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day- and they're not wrong. Start your day right by making sure your breakfast contains sources of good quality protein. Getting enough protein is incredibly important for your moods and stress response, as protein is required for the synthesis of neurotransmitters. Of course, i’s important to include protein with all your meals, however ensuring you’re getting it in with your brekky will set you up for the day. Eggs on toast, homemade baked beans or granola with Greek yoghurt should set you off on the right foot.
Sunshine, baby!
Find ways to incorporate some (safe) sun exposure into your day and get your daily D. Vitamin D is synthesized by action of sunlight on skin. Vitamin D is believed to play a role in the activity of serotonin; furthermore insufficiency and deficiency in vitamin D have been associated with mood disorders. Some of the ways we love to get outside include eating breakfast outside, going for a walk around the block, working out in the park, having a Gaia Botanica cuppa and phoning a friend in the garden.
Sleep
Sleep is needed for the brain to function properly and for the body to restore itself. Sleep deprivation is associated with chronic health problems affects the way we think, learn, work, react, and interact with others. Unfortunately, inadequate sleep directly contributed to stress, just as stress contributed to sleep disturbances. Adequate sleep hygiene can support a healthy night’s sleep- some practices to include are establishing a regular bedtime and waking time, avoiding bright lights and screen time before bed, avoid caffeine after midday and reserving your bed for sleeping and sex.
Have you tried Gaia Botanica’s sleep blend, Dream? This tea is the perfect cuppa for your nighttime ritual to help you drift to sleep soundly.
Bye-bye coffee
Caffeine intake may exacerbate stress symptoms and alter normal neurotransmitter function. Caffeine negatively affects sleep, which is essential for mental health. Caffeine depletes essential B vitamins which are essential for a healthy stress response. Caffeine in all forms, such as coffee, chocolate, tea, energy drinks and pre-workout supplements should be limited.
Try a caffeine-free alternative such Gaia Botanica’s Dream, Radiance or Balance blends. If you just can’t shake the habit our Focus blend has some caffeine to give you improved alertness, like coffee without the jittery side effects.
Get your rocks off!
If you’re looking for another reason to get your rocks off, let it be known that sex (of any kind) supports both stress management and better sleep. During sex (either with a partner or solo) and orgasms, a chemical called dopamine is released which gives us a sense of pleasure. Further to dopamine, another endorphin, oxytocin, is released, offering a sense of well-being, lowering cortisol levels and exerting stress relieving and anti-anxiety effects. Getting off before bed may provide a sense of relief, relaxation and sleepiness, so you can rest easy knowing that those Os may have helped get you there
Everyone experiences stress; it is a normal response to challenging situations. It is not always possible to remove those stressors; thankfully there are diet and lifestyle practices that can support the management of stress.
Anushka Malcolm
CO-FOUNDER + CLINICAL NUTRITIONIST
Anushka is clinical nutritionist and passionate health foodie from Adelaide, South Australia. Anushka uses up-to-date clinical research and traditional wisdom to you diets so you can nourish yourself, feel your best and thrive.