Has the year flown by or is it just me?

That means it is time to put together your Healthy Holiday Kit.

The Holiday season is upon us and therefore so is the increase in perceived and real stressors.  Our body and our brains are on high alert and therefore our systems react like we are in DANGER all the time.

Danger from emotional stress, physical stress, nutritional stress and much more…  Our world is a little crazy right now and so more than ever we need to zero in on the value of self care and community.

One of the ways I try to offset holiday stress is to make sure I keep up good for me routines. Routines that include making  sure I drink enough water, get daily exercise,  practice gratitude and appreciation and get enough sleep etc etc…

I also like to make sure I am getting enough good nutrients on a daily basis.  I up  my supplement intake a little to help support me with the additional load and fill in any gaps.

Most of you know I like Standard Process and Mediherb lines as they are sourced from whole foods and plants.  I also like Metagenics for their medical grade products. Below are my suggestions for you and your family.

The  Healthy Holiday Kit:

From SP/ Mediherb:  Call or text me for pick up.

Drenamin or Adrenal Complex to help your body better adapt to stress,  Enzacore for digestion and gut health, Immunplex for overall immune help and Cataplex B, for energy and blood sugar support.

From Metagenics: You can but these from my website and receive 20% off your first order.

The Ultraflora line for Gut health, D3 liquid and Echinacea Synergy for immune support and Adreset and Adrenogen to help your body better adapt to stressors.

Long term stress is no joke and the adverse effects are on the rise. For more information on how stress can effect the mood, body and spirt continue reading below:

Why Long-Term Stress Is So Bad for Your Body Systems

The stress hormones cortisol, adrenaline, and epinephrine affect most areas of the body, interfering with sleep and increasing the risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and heart disease, as well as causing depression and anxiety

Here are a few key ways chronic stress can impact the body:

Stress causes inflammation.

Studies have shown that chronic stress is linked to increased inflammation in the body. One of the proposed actions of stress is that it triggers inflammation in the body, which is thought to underlie many diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis, and even pain.

Stress affects your digestive tract.

The gastrointestinal tract is filled with nerve endings and immune cells, all of which are affected by stress hormones.  As a result, stress can cause acid reflux as well as exacerbate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Not to mention create butterflies in your stomach.

Stress messes with your immune system.

A number of studies shows that stress lowers immunity, which may be why you’re likely to come down with a cold after a crunch time at school or work — right on the first day of your vacation. Patients with autoimmune disorders often say they get flare-ups during or after stressful events, or tell me that their condition began after a particularly stressful event.

Stress can muddle your brain.

Brain scans of people with post-traumatic stress disorder show more activity in the amygdala, a brain region associated with fear and emotion, But even everyday kinds of stress can affect how the brain processes information.

This can affect cognition and attention, which is why you may find it hard to focus or learn new things when you are stressed.

Stress can make you feel crummy all over.

Stress makes us more sensitive to pain, and it can also cause pain due to muscular tension. People under stress also tend to perceive pain differently.

They’re also less apt to sleep well, which doesn’t help matters. We know that sleep is so important in terms of helping to prevent every disease.  Sleep  helps reboot the immune system and prevents depression, irritability, and exhaustion.

So with a little planning, added support and a lot of intentionality, we can give ourselves a break. A break from the constant danger signals and let’s enjoy the Holiday season.

Have a happy healthy week and let us know how we can help support you this holiday season.

Best

Dr Pia