Stress can be surprisingly tiring whether we realise it or not. Sometimes it doesn’t even occur to us that we’re under stress until our bodies give off S.O.S. signals.
Unfortunately stress is everywhere --- so how should you deal with something that is constantly around you?
Managing Stress
How do you manage stress?
We deal with stress almost every day of our lives, from the little inconveniences to more serious situations. No matter how small or big, the way our bodies react to stress is the same: our hearts beat faster, we feel queasy in our tummies, and our breathing becomes laboured. There are fleeting moments of irritation and uneasiness and depending on how one reacts, these emotions can last longer than they should.
Stress is the number one cause of chronic disease and it becomes such when we don’t know how to manage stress. We may feel invincible but over time, the ill effects of mismanaging stress levels will eventually catch up.
It has already been proven over and over again that stress is deadly. Physiologically speaking, our bodies operate abnormally when it is under stress. Muscles are tense, glucose levels shoot up, our heart rate increases.
Mind Over Body
Sometimes we fail to realise some situations don’t need more attention than we give them credit for. Ultimately it all boils down to how we decide to react to different stressful situations. When we are mentally strong and make a conscious decision to let go of things outside of our control, we can begin to gain a sense of relief whenever we encounter stressful situations.
There are many ways to help you cope with stress, and it includes:
- Meditating
- Regular exercise
- Taking time off your mobile device
- Setting a self-care routine for yourself
- Spending time with people that matter to you
Perhaps the most important step you can take is to have a well-balanced diet. It is no secret that what you feed your body has a huge impact on your overall health and wellbeing. And yes, this includes how your body manages stress.
Fueling your body with nutrient-rich food will help it operate more efficiently and cope with stress better.
To give you an idea, your body naturally reacts to external and internal factors. Whether it’s the presentation you have to prepare for your boss or the annoying alarm that wakes you up in the morning, your body’s reaction will be the same. Stress comes in three different stages - alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. We all experience the first stage, alarm. When your body senses something out of the ordinary, it will trigger your “fight or flight” response.
The next stage, resistance, is the body’s belief that stress is still a threat, thus increasing metabolic levels. This is your body’s way of trying to offset the effects of constant stress. Imagine your body constantly being in the stage of alarm -- this is resistance.
No one wants to reach the final stage - exhaustion - because this simply means that your body has reached its breaking point and will have already affected your immune system -- and we all know that a host of diseases and infections can easily develop when our immunity is compromised.
How we deal with stress all boils down to how we are able to mentally let go of factors or issues that are outside of our control, which is easier said than done. Most of the time just changing up our diet and including superfoods can already be a lifesaver.
Superfoods for Stress Relief
Turmeric
When our bodies detect something unusual such as a virus entering our system, its natural reaction is to create inflammation. For example, our throats become inflamed when we experience a sore throat. This means that there is an infection affecting that area of the body. This reaction helps keep harmful bacteria to a minimum but when we are always under stress, the inflammation may go on and on until our immune system starts to attack even normal, functional cells.
Turmeric is an all-natural anti-inflammatory superfood that not only helps the immune system’s coping mechanism, but also adds flavour and spice to any dish. Turmeric contains curcurmin, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. Aside from combating inflammation, its antioxidant properties help with the elimination of free radicals -- components that, when in excess, are known to be one of the causes of potentially deadly diseases such as cancer.
Reishi Mushroom
Sometimes one of the simplest and best ways to combat stress is to rest. A good night’s sleep can do wonders for your mind and body, making you feel relaxed and rejuvenated when you wake up.
Reishi mushroom is a superfood that helps promote a healthy sleeping pattern, something which, admittedly, many of us don’t have. Known as a “mushroom of immortality” in traditional Eastern medicine, the reishi boasts an array of health benefits that ranges from mood enhancers to energy boosters.
Reishi Mushroom is available in a number of different forms, including as a powdered extract, spore oil, tinctures, and blended in mushroom elixirs. Check out the range available at Superfoods Australia here.
Chaga Mushroom
The chaga mushroom didn’t earn its nickname “The King of Medicinal Mushrooms” for no good reason. This superfood has been widely used all over the world because of its high antioxidant properties.
Free radicals are naturally occurring in our bodies; you may even find it surprising that the most well-known free radical is oxygen. Free radicals are atoms that are unstable. These can cause damage to healthy cells, speed up the aging process, and even illness. Without going into too much detail (and turning this into a Chemistry lesson), free radicals have unpaired electrons that are reactive and rob other cells of their electrons. This is why free radicals can wreak havoc in the body. Free radicals will always exist but too much of it can be potentially deadly. Food and supplements that contain antioxidants are popular for getting rid of free radicals.
Stress can exacerbate the production of free radicals and this is why your diet should include food that is packed of antioxidants, especially if you lead a busy lifestyle.
To learn more about the health benefits of the Chaga Mushroom, read our piece "What is the Chaga Mushroom Good For?".
Including Chaga mushroom into your diet can be easy as it comes in a number of different variants, including powdered extracts, tinctures, and capsules. See the full range of Chaga mushroom available at Superfoods Australia.
Cordyceps Mushroom
Do you sometimes feel like you’re dragging yourself out of bed every morning? Are you already wishing it’s the weekend?
Lack of energy is one symptom of a stressful life. Fight lethargy by becoming more active. Even when it feels like your feet are made out of lead, force yourself to do some sort of exercise today and for that extra boost of energy, grab some cordyceps mushroom.
Cordyceps mushroom contains a compound called cordycepin which supports the transportation of oxygen throughout the body, thereby increasing blood flow and improving energy levels.
Just like turmeric, it is also a potent anti-inflammatory supplement, making it another top choice for those who want to improve their immune system.
Find out more about more about the health benefits of Cordyceps Mushrooms here or check out our full range of Cordyceps mushroom products here.
Find Relief with Superfoods Australia
Superfoods Australia is committed to providing its customers with high quality supplements that are sourced only from the best suppliers. We know that life can be stressful so we make it a point to make things easier for you. Enjoy free express shipping within Australia and use AfterPay for no-frills payment of your order.
