Stress less and stay healthy this winter
18th May 2010
Ever noticed that when you’re tired and run down you’re also more likely to get sick? It’s no coincidence! Stress lowers your immunity, and could increase your susceptibility to respiratory tract infections like colds and flu. On the flip side, taking steps to help your body and mind cope with stress may help boost your resistance at the same time.
As you’ve probably experienced for yourself, the type of stress that tends to have the most impact on your energy levels, emotional wellbeing and physical health is the type that grinds away at you for extended periods of time.
Feeling fatigued, tense and irritable are classic signs that you’re suffering from stress, and you’re probably also aware that it can cause headaches, interfere with your sleeping patterns and lead to digestive difficulties.
The effects of stress on your immune system are also significant. Being under long-term stress can increase your risk of contracting respiratory viruses such as colds and flu, and if you do get infected by one of these viruses, may worsen your symptoms.
So, if you’ve been feeling under pressure for a while, now is the perfect time to start getting a better handle on your stress levels – just before the flu season strikes!
Where possible, eliminate stressful or nagging issues from your life. Even if nothing can be done to change a difficult situation, you may be able to learn to cope better using tools like meditation, yoga and regular exercise.
Pay particular attention to your diet, including a wide variety of nutritious fruit and vegetables and other immunity-boosting foods, and steering clear of nutrient-poor junk foods.
Taking the herb rhodiola may help too. In Russia and other parts of its native northern Europe, rhodiola has traditionally been used to treat upper respiratory tract infections like colds and flu.
It is also used in traditional herbal medicine to maintain physical and mental performance. It supports the body’s natural defences against emotional and environmental stressors, enhances mental clarity, and promotes physical endurance.
In a nutshell, rhodiola may increase your energy levels, help you cope better under stress, and support your immunity against winter infections – all at the same time!
Rhodiola is often taken with B group vitamins, which support energy production and are essential for the healthy function of the nervous system, providing relief from stress, tension and mild anxiety.
The herb Siberian ginseng is also used to support both immune function and energy levels, and like rhodiola, is regarded by herbalists as being particularly beneficial during times when you’re under more pressure than usual.
From a nutritional perspective, magnesium supports the healthy functioning of the nervous system, but may become depleted by increased stress, poor dietary habits and the use of certain medications. Deficiency signs include muscle spasms, fatigue, irritability and poor concentration.
