We underestimate the power of stress. We choose to see it as natural, and even helpful, in being productive in our family and work lives. And these days, with both of these lives often being lived at the same time in the same place, perceiving stress as a positive is a way of trying to cope. But research tells us that the positive effects of stress like goal orientation, motivation, productivity and heightened cognitive response are most beneficial in small doses.
Many of us have built up a tolerance to living with heightened stress levels, often mistaking considerable, chronic stress for “a regular amount”. Yes, we do our best to eat well, exercise and sleep properly, but are we addressing the stress, or are we coping with it?
The truth is, living under continued high stress can have dire health consequences.
Are You Exhausted or Depleted?
Global events have brought with them significant changes in lifestyle, work habits, family dynamics, and a shift in the daily responsibilities of child or parent care. Any of these changes alone can directly affect feelings of overwhelm, and together they exert a level of pressure that many of us have not seen before.
A level that requires us to consciously assess and upgrade our ability to respond.
Stress Exhaustion
Humans are built to endure brief periods of stress as situations arise, and then relax and heal. Unfortunately for many of us, living with chronic stress seems inescapable. From financial stress and work pressure to lack of sleep, relationship stress and even illness or chronic pain – the brain interprets the level of stress and releases a cascade of hormones that triggers a flood of stress hormones. Without a period of relief and relaxation, the constant flood of stress hormones can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, mental fog, midsection weight gain, anxiety, depression, low libido, insomnia, hormonal imbalances, skin conditions. . . the list goes on.
And ultimately, as this heightened state of stress continues for weeks or months without reprieve, we experience overwhelm and exhaustion. If you have switched off your final zoom meeting of the day and felt the drastic drop in energy levels that leave nothing for your family (or yourself!), you know about stress exhaustion.
Depletion Due To Stress
Emotional stress that remains for a period of weeks, months, or even years, can have a number of physical effects on the body: it can slow down digestive processes, increase inflammation and inhibit sleep patterns. What many people don’t realise is that these symptoms of stress can over time affect how well you absorb and store certain nutrients.
These are the vitamins, minerals, micronutrients and enzymes that the body needs for the many processes that happen daily without your input – and depletion in these nutrients inevitably leads to a whole host of additional unpleasant symptoms such as fatigue, low mood and muscle pain.
Traditional Stress Management
Being able to recognize your own stress signals is the first step in learning to cope with and dissipate stress. Knowing when you need to allow your body to return to a healthy, relaxed state enables you “reset” before working through the demands placed on you.
The Foundations of Stress Management
First, know that everyone experiences high stress at one time or another. You are not alone.
Second, understand that it is possible to manage how you respond to stress in the moment, as well as practising the skills and habits that can help you to improve your resilience to stress in the long term.
There’s no need to wait until stress is overwhelming to start practising stress management techniques. In fact, our practitioners start all Executive Stress treatment plans with a few key daily habits that are helpful for everyone, such as:
- Good Sleep Hygiene
- Drinking enough water
- Eating a wholesome, plant-rich diet
- Incorporating mindfulness meditation
- An appropriate form of movement for you
- A regular relaxation practice
Integrative Medicine Can Dig Deeper With Lab Tests
Naturopathic medicine in Vaughan allows for a deeper dive into any imbalances that could be contributing to your body’s ability to handle stress. We are able to achieve faster results by running lab tests to measure your current nutrient status, how well your body manages sugar, and whether a hormonal imbalance may be at play.
Having access to this detailed information about your body allows your practitioner to build a targeted and effective wellness and stress management strategy, and track your results. It also gives you the information you need to stay motivated and on track with your wellness plan.
Stress Factors Only an Integrative Practitioner Will Consider
The Role Of Blood Glucose in Stress
It’s no secret that Diabetes is running rampant in our society today, but even before diabetes develops there are a host of tell-tale symptoms that your blood sugar is out of balance ranging from mild hypoglycemia to more severe metabolic issues. Erratic blood sugar levels can put you on a rollercoaster of stress and emotions, making you more reactive to stressful stimuli, followed by deep crashes into fatigue and exhaustion.
Test: Fasting Blood Glucose, Fasting Insulin & HbA1c
These laboratory tests show your current levels of various markers of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Understanding your metabolism in more detail can help your practitioner to identify whether blood glucose issues may be underlying how you are feeling. Depending on your test results, you practitioner may recommend a blood sugar balancing treatment plan including dietary aspects as well as supplements and herbal medicine.
How Your Hormones Affect Your Stress Levels
To get to the root of an individual person’s stress levels, naturopathic doctors often start by testing hormones. Cortisol, the stress hormone, increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure and boosts energy supplies. It also increases sugars (glucose) in the bloodstream and enhances your brain’s use of glucose (both increases help the body to prepare for “fight or flight”). An imbalance in sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone or testosterone levels, as well as the sleep hormone melatonin, can all have serious implications on mood, fatigue and stress perception as well.
The Koenisburg Stress Test
The koenisburg Stress Test looks at your adrenal function and can let you know whether your stress hormone output is “high” indicating that your adrenals are in overdrive, or “low” which may indicate burnout. The best thing about the Koenisburg test is that it is a simple and fast urine test we can carry out in the office during your appointment.
The DUTCH Hormone Test
The DUTCH test is currently the most extensive and accurate hormone panel available, providing details on 35 hormones along with a number of markers. This gives your practitioner a wealth of information on your hormonal state and allows them to develop a unique and highly targeted treatment plan to bring your hormones back into balance fast.
Can Poor Gut Health Cause Stress?
Your gut is your second brain, and it turns out that it has a lot of input into your mood. In fact, it is estimated that 90% of the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitter Serotonin is produced in the gut. Your microbiome (the “good” germs in your gut) also help balance your nervous, hormone, and immune systems.
GI-MAP Gut health testing
Your Integrative or Naturopathic Doctor may order a GI-MAP test to assess the state of the specific microbes, yeasts and organisms present in your gut. This accurate and reliable test enables your practitioner to create a more effective and tailored plan that gives you faster results, and follow its effectiveness over the course of your treatment.
Integrative Therapies That Can Help With Stress Management
IV Vitamin Therapy
With IV Vitamin C Therapy in Vaughan, vitamins and nutrients are infused directly into the bloodstream where they can counteract some of the harmful effects of long term stress, and provide the body with nutrients that it needs after a period of poor nutrient absorption. There are a number of options as to what goes in your IV drip, which your practitioner will go over with you. Perhaps one of the nicer aspects of IV therapy for stress is that it requires you to sit quietly in the comfort of the Marsden Centre’s IV lounge for a period of down-time.
body talk
The BodyTalk system combines healing methodologies from traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic philosophy, applied kinesiology, Western medicine and modern science into a holistic approach which allows the body-mind to activate its natural healing processes.
Acupuncture
An integral part of traditional Chinese medicine, Acupuncture has been studied extensively and proven to help reduce stress. Research shows that acupuncture stimulates the release of oxytocin, also known as the “cuddle hormone”. Acupuncture can help to address the effects of stress such as high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose levels, and insomnia.
Life is full of surprises and this year has definitely been no exception. If stress is impacting your ability to be productive, be there for your family, and simply be your best, give us a call. Your Integrative health care team at the Marsden Centre is here to help you get results fast.
The Marsden Centre is open via telehealth – phone or video call – and our practitioners are available in person for essential care appointments. Simply send us an email or book online.