Stress Management & Emotional Health
In articles "Nutritional insurance and weight control",
we’ve explored nutrition and weight management, and
"Exercise Equals Fitness", achieving wellness through fitness and
exercise. In this article, We’ll discuss another
important aspect of overall well-being–stress
management and emotional health.
Stress and emotions can have a significant
impact on your health.
Discussions about stress and the impact of emotions
on health should be part of every family physicianpatient
interaction. A holistic approach to health care
incorporates all aspects of health–physical, mental and
emotional. This view sees a person as part of a family
and society, factors that can and do play a significant
role in an individual’s health.
Effectively dealing with the stresses and
strains of daily life can lead to balanced
emotional health.
Have you ever noticed that when your marriage is
floundering, your child is ill or you hate your job, traffic
seems worse, the checkout line at the supermarket is
unbearably long, even your children's normally
boisterous play may create tension. This tension affects
your body in several ways: blood pressure and heart
rate increase, adrenal glands may release cortisol and
adrenaline and your immune system is put on “alert
status.” From an evolutionary perspective, humans have
a “fight or flight” response mechanism to stress.
Historically, this response provided either a sudden
burst of energy to fight a challenger from the next cave,
or the speed for flight to elude an attacking woolly
mammoth.
In today’s world, stresses tend to be more
subtle and chronic and aren’t usually of a
physical nature.
Over time, repeated triggering of stress hormones can
deplete your body of energy and leave you less able to
respond. Stress can be a factor in the development of
cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cancer and many
auto-immune disorders such as lupus and multiple
sclerosis. Additionally, stress can contribute to irritable
bowel syndrome, thyroid dysfunction, headaches, sleep
disturbances and many skin conditions. Chronic stress
depletes many nutrients from the body, including most
B vitamins, antioxidants, zinc and other minerals
necessary for immune-system function.
Nutritional choices can help you
deal with stress.
Eat a balanced diet emphasizing whole foods such as
lean protein, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole
grains. Avoid processed foods, white sugar, flour and
fried foods, as these items put additional stress on the
body. Restrict your caffeine and alcohol intake to
moderate levels. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous
system and alcohol depresses the nervous system, and
actually may increase stress.
Counterbalance the effects of stress with
Herbalife nutritional supplements.
Nutritional supplements are a must to ensure your body
has all the stress-fighting protection it needs. Cellular Nutrition®-based Formula 2 Multivitamin-Mineral & Herbal Tablets provide a balance of essential
vitamins and minerals, and Formula 3 Cell Activator® provides herbs
and minerals to
support your cellular energy cycle and
immune system.* Gastrointestinal
problems are a common stress-related
occurrence in many people due to
hypersecretion of stomach acid and
increased colon motility. Herbal Aloe Vera Drink and Flora-fiber are a soothing
combination that can help maximize
healthy intestinal function.*
The power of antioxidants, particularly
vitamins C and E, also fights stress.
Vitamin C and bioflavonoids support the adrenal
glands–1,000 mg per day is a standard recommendation.
Vitamin E supports immune function. Herbalife provides
several antioxidant combinations including Schizandra Plus, RoseOx™, Extreme C, Ocular Defense Formula and Cardio ToconOx™. Each
formula is a unique
combination
of antioxidants,
adaptogenic herbs
and botanicals. Begin
with Schizandra Plus and RoseOx™, then
choose from the other
three specialized
products to build
additional immune
support. “Adaptogen” is a
term given to herbs that improve
the body's ability to cope with stress.
Adaptogens work by supporting various organs to
make the body more resilient.*
Some of the best
known adaptogens include schizandra, tang kuei,
astragulus, Chinese and Korean ginseng and
ashwaganda. Herbalife’s Medical Advisory Board
has long understood the importance of these herbs
and have incorporated them into our
nutritional product line. Consider our
specialized combinations if you are
under stress - Mega Ginseng Blend, Advanced St. John’s Wort with Uplifting Herbs, Kava-Kava-K8 and Relax Now, New Herbalife’s natural herbal alternative for relaxation.
Relaxation methods,
spirituality and ways of
thinking can help us deal
with the reality of good and
bad stressful events, family
issues and the ups and
downs of everyday life.
There are a host of coping skills almost
guaranteed to reduce the impact of stress
on your life. It may sound simple, but
remember to breathe! Deep cleansing breaths help
clear out toxins and improve oxygenation of your
tissues. Take time every day to simply sit
quietly. Focus inward, sort through thoughts
and clear your mind. Laugh regularly and
heartily. Laughing is the ultimate “stress
buster.” It can help reverse all negative
effects of stress, and it feels great! Much of
our body's healing and cellular repair occurs
while we sleep; most adults need seven to
eight hours every night. Adolescents and
teens actually do their best with eight to nine
hours of sleep each night.
Think positively! Studies confirm that positive
thinking lessens immune stress and increases
happiness.
Be less judgmental of others and your relationships may
improve. Community involvement–whether through your
religious community, volunteer activities or social
activism–can be extremely rewarding. For example, through
the Herbalife community, we see the reality of multitudes of
different racial, religious and ethnic groups cooperating and
thriving. Wellness is the summation of all the factors we have
discussed in this three-part series. You will look and feel
your best, be most resistant to illness, have the greatest
energy and exude happiness and contentment if you take
this 
information to heart. Nutrition is the foundation of health.
If you follow healthy nutritional practices, including the use of
supplements, weight control should happen with minimal
effort. A walk or other physical endeavor makes managing
your weight easier and helps alleviate the effects of stress.
Breathing, laughing and a positive outlook help assimilate
good nutrition to create a physically, mentally and
emotionally whole you. Enjoy your life!
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