[pullquote align=”right” style=”style4″ width=”381″ size=”14″ line_height=”18″ bg_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#ab1c4b”][blockquote custom_class=”” txt_color=”#222222″ size=”25″ line_height=”32″]Our bodies are just not designed for chronic on-going stress.[/blockquote][/pullquote]
[dropcap custom_class=”whbr”]Who wouldn’t want to be Superwoman? She can do it all, right (even though her muffin top has been magically growing…hmmm)?! She runs a successful business, stays on top of emails, does laundry, cooks, cleans, makes lunches, takes the kids to school (and picks them up), helps her family, volunteers at the food bank, goes grocery shopping….and the list goes on.
She just can’t possibly do it all…can she?
The reality is no…she can’t. Because she’s missing some vital pieces to this to-do list and they all point to her.
Underneath that beautiful façade, she is exhausted, stressed to the max, hungry for real food, anxious and overwhelmed, coping with various unhealthy strategies (alcohol/food), desperate for exercise, and frantically searching for time for self-care. This woman is battling mood swings, feels cranky often, has many sleepless nights, and just can’t seem to keep the pounds off, although she barely eats.
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The body has a funny way of preserving itself in times of stress. When your brain detects threats – whether it is a bear chasing you or that never-ending to-do-list – a cascade of chemicals are released and your body get’s ready for the fight-or-flight response (thank you adrenaline!)
Then cortisol, the stress hormone, makes its appearance and raises blood sugar and blood pressure. While this is a normal response, in times of prolonged stress, our body doesn’t have time to recover and cortisol remains elevated. Cortisol has to go somewhere and it goes where the body has the most receptors – THE BELLY AREA, which is the worst type of fat to have.
In a nutshell, here is the vicious cycle:
Our bodies are NOT made for chronic on-going stress. This type of stress is so incredibly disruptive and leads to chronic inflammation, obesity, diabetes, insomnia, weight gain, and whacked-out gut flora and immune system. YUCK.
In my practice – this is the exact picture of my typical client and situation. Burned out, in full adrenal fatigue, and desperately searching for answers.
“The truth is – we all have only 24 hours in a day
and we can’t simply do it all.”
In order to be a busy woman that thrives in the 21st Century here are my top 5 strategies you should incorporate into your routine ASAP: –
- Make self-care a necessity! This investment will pay you 100 times over. Our bodies thrive in a holistic sense –physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. You are the star – so nurture yourself first.
- Avoid energy suckers – refined carbs, alcohol, sugar. Your high cortisol could be the reason your craving these foods – so focus on whole nutritious vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and healthy fats.
- Exercise smarter. If you a workout queen and always at the gym, this could be keeping your cortisol levels elevated. Switch the walking, weight lifting, yoga, pilates, and restorative forms of exercise and you will be quite surprised at the difference it makes.
- Supplement wisely. Every woman should be taking a quality multivitamin and omega 3 supplements. Everyone knows they should be doing this…so why are you not? And fish oil lowers cortisol…even more of a reason. I also love using adaptogenic herbs like Rhodiola rosea and ashwagandha because of their unique power to heal and fight stress.
- Sleep – I cannot stress this enough. This simple switch can really shift your hormonal balance from one extreme to the next. Create yourself a comfortable, dark sleeping space and get your 8 hours.
One last important takeaway! I want to stress that:
- It’s ok to say no.
- Make time for yourself.
- Let go of always needed to be in control.
- Ask for support when you need it.
