A healthy amount of stress is easy to manage, but too much of it is detrimental especially if prolonged. Over time, stress drains your energy and affects your lifestyle. Here is what you need to know on how you can fight stress the simple and accessible way.
What is stress and how does it affect the body?
Stress comes in many forms and in varying situations. It is defined as any type of change that causes physical, emotional, or psychological strain. Pressure from work, or worry over increasing commodity prices are just a few examples of what can trigger stress in many people.
When faced with a stressful situation, the nervous system activates the release of hormones intended to help the body respond and cope. These hormones—adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol—initiate a series of reactions from our body known as the fight-or-flight response.
Adrenaline causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, noradrenaline boosts alertness and attention, while cortisol controls metabolism and enhances immunity by suppressing inflammation. All these are the body’s way of coping with stressors that can potentially pose a threat. Once the stressful situation has passed, these hormones go back to normal levels, thereby normalizing heart rate, blood pressure, and energy levels as well.
What happens when we are constantly stressed?
Stress is a normal part of life, but too much of it can be harmful to your body. Excessive stress can lead to physical exhaustion and an overall decrease in energy. Being too tired can affect how your immune system functions and consequently impair how you perform your daily tasks.
Persistent exposure to stress also means that our hormone levels are likewise constantly higher than usual, leading to a continuous response from the body. If your bodily responses repetitively activate because of stress, this can result to wear-and-tear. The consistent stimulation of the body puts you at an increased risk for diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and even gastrointestinal concerns.
Additionally, stress may also reduce the body’s lymphocyte count. Lymphocytes are responsible for helping the immune system fight off infections. If lymphocyte levels are compromised, the ability to fight off sicknesses is reduced and you become more vulnerable to illnesses.
What can you do to help fight stress?
Ensuring that stress is managed appropriately can help you achieve a more productive life. One way to do this is by making sure our body has enough energy to fight off stress. To help sustain your energy levels, lead a healthy lifestyle and take the right set of vitamins daily.
B vitamins, in particular, are known as "stress fighter" vitamins because they help provide your body with the energy needed to combat the fatigue that accompanies stress. Research also shows that vitamins B6 and B12 influence lymphocytes, which are vital to our immune system's response against illness. One study even found that a higher intake of vitamin B6 than the recommended daily amount (1.3 mg/day) in women is beneficial for lymphocyte proliferation (the process by which cells divide and multiply). However, B vitamins alone may not be enough. Stress increases your risk for illnesses due to its effects on the immune system, so you might also need to add Vitamin C. Vitamin C is linked to minimizing the physical and psychological effects of stress.
If you are looking for a supplement to help manage stress, you might want to consider Multivitamins + Zinc (Enervon Z+). It is formulated with essential nutrients to actively support the body’s response to stress when combined with a proper diet and exercise. It contains vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, nicotinamide, and calcium pantothenate, which help optimize the conversion of food into energy. Additionally, Multivitamins + Zinc (Enervon Z+) includes vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps fight free radicals and improve immune function when taken with a proper diet and exercise.
Stress is inevitable, but it can be harmful to your health when you are constantly exposed to it. With the right combination of nutrition, a proper diet, and regular exercise, you can help combat the effects of stress on your body and continue living a fulfilling life, doing the things that make you happy.
If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
ASC No. U0211P052323E
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