In the world of today, “I’m stressed” has probably replaced “I’m fine” as the default answer when people ask you how you are. It can be difficult to read the headlines of our changing world without feeling our heart rate increase, and that is pushing each of us into a chronic state of low-grade inflammation. The research backs this with a study showing that reading negative news is linked to increased cortisol levels.¹

When stress isn’t managed properly, it can lead to physical and mental health problems. Some common symptoms of stress include feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or irritable, having difficulty sleeping, and feeling physically tense.

This is your reminder to take a deep breath and relax your tongue from the roof of your mouth.

How Does Stress Affect Your Health?

Stress can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health. When you’re stressed, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode. This means that your heart rate increases, your blood pressure rises, and your breathing becomes shallow. Over time, this can lead to problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety, and depression. Stress can also make it difficult to cope with everyday life and encourage substance abuse. More specifically, it can even lower bone density, kill immune cells, increase menstrual pain and lower sperm production.

What Are Some Ways to Manage Stress?

That looming sense of worry and to-dos can feel overwhelming, but there are some tried-and-true methods that can help. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress because it helps release endorphins, which are hormones that have mood-boosting effects. This could be as simple as a walk around the block or even better, through some nearby nature. Time by water seems to be especially restorative, with the pan-European research initiative known as BlueHealth showing significant links between blue space and well-being.² Yoga and meditation are also great for managing stress because they help you focus on the present moment and clear your mind of stressors. The benefits of mindfulness training also stick with you for up to five years.³ Some researchers think this is mindful activities bolster the connections between parts of the brain, specifically the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, making us less reactive to stressors.

Other people may find that taking supplements helps them manage their day-to-day. Passionflower, lemon balm, and zinc are three ingredients that have been shown to be effective in reducing stress.

A.Vogel Relax tablets and spray are two supplements that can help reduce cortisol and promote better sleep. With a blend of stress-busting ingredients, these products work together to support the body’s natural response to worry. The spray comes packaged in a convenient, travel-size container, making it easy to take it with you in any situation. This could be boarding a plane, preparing to give a presentation or even heading into a new social setting. Pair that with some valerian-fueled Relax tablets at night for hours of proper sleep and you’re set.

References:
1. Marin, Marie-France, et al. “There is no news like bad news: women are more remembering and stress reactive after reading real negative news than men.” PLOS One (2012): e47189.
2. White, Mathew P., et al. “Blue space, health and well-being: A narrative overview and synthesis of potential benefits.” Environmental Research191 (2020): 110169.
3. MacLean, Katherine A., et al. “Intensive meditation training improves perceptual discrimination and sustained attention.” Psychological science6 (2010): 829-839.
4. Taren, Adrienne A., et al. “Mindfulness meditation training alters stress-related amygdala resting state functional connectivity: a randomized controlled trial.” Social cognitive and affective neuroscience12 (2015): 1758-1768.

About the Author: A.Vogel

Based on the lifelong work of Alfred Vogel, Bioforce is a premium supplier of the highest quality natural products throughout Canada. Leading with clinically-researched, fresh-plant medicines from A.Vogel, Bioforce also provides organic foods and body care products, including Aromaforce, Bio-Strath, Biotta, Herbatint, and Natur.