There is not much good to be said about chronic stress. Over time, when your adrenal glands pump out abnormally large amounts of the stress hormone cortisol, your blood pressure and blood sugar go up, your immunity response goes down, and your body becomes more vulnerable to infections and heart disease.

Unless you’re a hermit or unusually enlightened, you (along with everyone else) deal with a multitude of daily pressures at work, at home, and on the road. You might even be addicted to stress, feeling that you must respond to every ping from emails and texts instead of disconnecting for downtime and a good night’s sleep.

A mindfulness practice (meditation or prayer, yoga, or regular walks) can help. So can a group of supplements called adaptogens. These remedies bolster stress-resistance by shifting biochemistry and, as the name suggests, helping you adapt to a whirlwind existence.

“Adaptogens are an important part of a healthy stress-management regimen,” says Mindy Green, an herbalist and aromatherapy expert in Boulder, Colorado. She points out that many of these herbs (listed in order of likely benefit) can be ground up and added to foods, such as soups, as well as taken as supplements. For accuracy, look for the herbs’ Latin names on product labels.

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BY: JACK CHALLEM
Article from November/December 2015 Living Healthy Everyday Magazine. Download your copy here.

Tags

Herbs Mood Health Stress Nutrition Stress Relief

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