With the onslaught of social functions, frantic shopping and kids home for the holidays the festive season can take its toll on our energy reserves and emotional stability!
Yet focusing on a healthy state of mind is often left to the wayside when it comes to New Year health resolutions. We may make plans to step up exercise, take more holidays and shift some weight – all positive goals that can boost energy and mood, however it is important to consider the ruinous effect that constant stress may have on our emotional and physical wellbeing.
Using relaxation techniques or exercises to calm the mind and body are extremely important in producing the physiological response known as the “relaxation response” – a response exactly the opposite of the stress response. Practising such techniques can take considerable time and commitment. However, a daily ritual that can be adopted easily and immediately is the use of dietary supplements that supply restorative vitamins, minerals, herbs and plant extracts to help strengthen resistance to stress and elevate mood and energy.
We each have our own stress tolerance limits. If you regularly find yourself heading for your “breaking point” especially at this time of year, here are a few natural vitamin and herbal supplement suggestions that may help you keep your cool and enjoy the festive season.
Radiance® Vitamin B100 or B50 complex – Although B vitamins can be found in green leafy vegetables, whole grains, legumes, meat, fish, nuts and eggs, they are readily depleted from our foods by processing, storage and cooking. Alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, oral contraceptive pill, antibiotics, hormonal imbalance, aging and stress also deplete our bodies of B vitamins increasing our need beyond that which the average diet can supply. B vitamin deficiency may cause an array of symptoms such as irritability, nervousness, anxiety, aggressiveness and depression.
The B vitamin complex plays many important roles in the body. They aid in energy production, stress resistance, nerve transmission, digestion, muscle tone and liver, skin and eye health to name but a few. High potency Radiance® Vitamin B100 complex makes an excellent energy and stress tonic. If you are thoroughly exhausted with frayed nerves we suggest one capsule of Vitamin B100 complex daily for one month, then one capsule of Vitamin B50 complex for continued support. (A shot of B vitamins may also combat the hangover syndrome common at this time of year!).
Burning the candle at both ends may send some of us towards adrenal exhaustion – causing conditions such as poor immunity, poor liver function, fatigue, hypotension, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), alopecia (hair loss), poor concentration, anxiety, depression, insomnia and the dreaded sugar cravings.
Fortunately for the modern day human, a species consistently overwhelmed by stress, many plants have the power to help us adapt to or cope more efficiently with stress. Radiance® Rhodiola (Arctic Root) provides standardised Rhodiola rosea, a highly prized adrenal tonic from the alpine regions of Europe and Asia. This hardy herb demonstrates its powerful therapeutic benefits through its ability to enhance stamina, energy, mental performance and mood. An added bonus for some is Rhodiola’s ability to enhance mood and energy whilst reducing appetite and carbohydrate (or chocolate) cravings.
Mood disorders such as anxiety and depression can, for some of us, be a debilitating manifestation of stress. It is thought cognitive performance declines under conditions of chronic stress which may be partially due to reduced brain serotonin levels1. This theory is consistent with the perception that this naturally occurring substance, partially responsible for our “happy” feelings, operates broadly to moderate our emotional reaction to stress. When serotonin production is sub-optimal depression, irritability or anxiety can occur, along with insomnia, aggressiveness and alcohol or sugar addictions. Research has found sleep deprivation may decrease serotonin activity2 – adding fuel to an already nervous or irritable disposition.
Radiance® Serotone 5-HTP contains a natural plant source of 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) a precursor to serotonin. Studies show that 5-HTP is a safe, natural way to boost brain serotonin levels and may effectively assist with problems arising from serotonin deficiency. Instead of waking feeling tired, worn out or “hung-over”, people taking 5-HTP may feel vibrant, well rested and ready to take on the challenges of the day.
Constant stress and worry can initiate muscle tension and insomnia negatively impacting on tolerance levels during the day. Our botanical world provides many natural sedatives, one of the most popular being Valeriana officinalis – used for promoting relaxation since the time of Hippocrates. When a racing mind and cramping muscles leaves you staring at the ceiling each night, just two capsules of Nature’s Way® Valerian standardised herb an hour before bedtime may ease muscle tension, promoting an early descent into a more restful sleep.
Don’t wait until too much stress and not enough sleep have you at “breaking point”, or someone who cares says “you’ve been grumpy or down lately”, add some nutritional or herbal supplementation to your daily wellness program to help make “feeling on top of the world” an achievable New Year resolution for 2008.
(Originally published in Health & Herbal News Magazine Volume 17, Issue 3)