5 Lifestyle and Nutrition Tips for Managing Occasional Stress

(BPT) – Occasional stress can send your mind and body into overdrive and can create significant challenges to maintaining general wellness. It often interferes with restful sleep, healthy normal digestion or simply being able to quiet the mind; all of which can take a toll on your wellbeing.“When it comes to supporting occasional stress management, as well as health and general wellness, safe and effective strategies should be priority number one. I recommend first trying these lifestyle and nutrition methods,” explains Dr. Chris Lee, who is a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) and specializes in the neuropsychology of wellness. “In fact, there are a number of options that work — and come with bonus benefits.” According to Dr. Chris Lee, the following options are safe, easy to do, and have additional advantages:1. Be MindfulRacing thoughts are a common symptom for those suffering with occasional stress, but there are techniques that can help focus these thoughts. For example, try setting a goal-oriented daily routine that you can achieve. Establishing reasonable expectations for yourself, as well as for the people in your support network, can help you gain traction in your mental health goals. On that same note, list building is another tip that can help keep you from feeling overwhelmed. When you take time to prioritize actionable items with start and finish dates, the bigger picture seems a lot more manageable.Bonus Benefit – Once you get your routine fine-tuned, you’re likely to have more free time to try other cognitive coping mechanisms, like meditation. The power to dial down the chaos of life and simply be present is a learned skill. In fact, the regular practice of meditation not only calms your mind, but it can have a positive effect on your physical health including lower blood pressure and improved sleep.2. Get Supplemental SupportSupplements are an easy way to ensure you’re getting essential nutrients and to help maintain or support your health. Standard Process®, a leading whole food-based nutritional supplement company has a number of product offerings formulated to help balance your mood, including Ashwagandha Forte and Drenamin®.Ashwagandha Forte is an herbal supplement that contains Ashwagandha root which is used traditionally as a rejuvenating tonic for stress*. As a nervous system relaxant, it calms the mind and soothes the nerves*. Drenamin® is a supplement for adrenal support that promotes healthy adrenal gland function, maintains energy production and helps maintain emotional balance*.Bonus Benefit – Besides aiding in supporting a balanced mood, Drenamin® encourages a healthy response to everyday environmental stresses and supports the body’s natural immune system response function*.3. Get MovingExercise can be an extremely helpful tool in managing occasional stress. Why? One theory is because the mind is distracted during exercise. Additionally, physical activity releases endorphins which help us to feel happier and more content. And while sticking with an exercise regimen can seem daunting, starting slow and building up your fitness level gradually helps with sustainability. Small changes, like taking the stairs at work or walking the dog for another lap around the block, are great ways to start. In fact, walking is one of the best forms of exercise out there. It’s free, low impact, can be done indoors or outdoors and can be done with friends.Bonus Benefit – Not surprisingly, daily exercise has a wide range of added benefits, according to the National Institutes of Health. This includes improved mobility, weight management and lowering the risk of heart disease, to name just a few.4. Sleep CleanHealthy sleep aids in healthy stress management; however, occasional stress can hinder restorative sleep. Thankfully, there are ways to support restful sleep. Clean sleep, or sleep hygiene, is a practice that prepares your mind and body for bedtime. Clean sleep tips include only using your bed for sleep, going technology-free for at least an hour before bedtime and sticking to a consistent sleep schedule. Creating a sleep routine programs your brain and internal body clock for rest. This helps your mind and body create a rhythm that can sustain energy and focus throughout the day.Bonus Benefit – A regular sleep pattern also helps support healthy normal blood sugar levels. When we are low on sleep, we often reach for refined carbohydrates — or sugar, but sleeping enough at night can curb these cravings.5. Pinpoint the ProblemAcupuncture is a centuries-old technique used to treat many conditions, including alleviating stress. This Chinese-based medicine involves the insertion of fine needles at strategic points on the body. Stimulating different points provides various therapeutic benefits; for example, some points encourage the release of serotonin. When serotonin is at a normal level, you feel focused and calm.Bonus Benefit – Pain and occasional stress often go hand in hand, but acupuncture is one way to manage both at the same time. There are several ways in which acupuncture potentially helps to decrease pain. For example, it can increase blood flow to the tissue, bringing nutrients and oxygen to stimulate healing.“Prioritizing your health is crucial,” continued Dr. Chris Lee. “The above tips are just some of the ways you can improve your overall well-being and find the strength to better navigate your daily health goals.”*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.