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Body Empowerment & Confidence Pack
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Stress Less and Live More Pack
Evidence-Based ✅
When it comes to losing weight (and keeping it off), it's not always a calorie story, and sometimes it has less to do with food.
What do we mean here?
Sometimes it is more of a hormonal story. Today, we focus on the stress (response) hormones - cortisol and adrenaline.
When people hear these words, they think they are bad, but that is a misperception. They are necessary messengers for your body.
They become hazardous when they are out of balance.
They get out of balance through chronic stress, anxiety and worry.
If your body lives in sustained "fight or flight", you are more likely to struggle with your weight, so achieving a more calm state of being is paramount!
Hormones are involved in your body's metabolism, so dysregulation (too low or too high) can impact your weight (amongst other things).
If you are struggling with your weight (losing or keeping it off), you may have some imbalance in your stress response hormones.
We always advise you to seek the proper hormone testing if you have a problem. The Dutch test is more accurate than a blood test here and can be ordered through a health practitioner. Are you able to order online? Possibly.
Be sure to discuss results with a practitioner.
What's Next?
Suppose you know you have a high-stress problem and struggle with anxiety and a low-functioning nervous system. In that case, you can try any of the recommended things below:
- Take a high-quality Rhodiola Supplement
- Try the calming herb Ashwagandha
- Practice deep breathing and mindful or somatic meditation (there are many free videos on Youtube)
- Use a journal to dump out toxic thoughts, beliefs, emotions or trauma (stuck negative feelings stay in the body and manifest as anxiety, stress and even pain)
- If you have trauma (most of us do), perhaps try EMDR therapy to help you.
- Move your body gently each day (walking for 30 minutes is sufficient)
- Take things off your to-do list and start saying "no" more (no is a complete sentence, by the way) or "no thanks" if that works better for you.
- Spend time in nature barefoot or with animals (or both)!
- Get your eyes into the early morning (sunrise) light; it has beyond-powerful healing and health benefits.
Please don't feel overwhelmed by this list (that is not what your body needs); pick a few things and incorporate them into your life.
You can add in more things as you go along but only if it feels good and you have enough time.
Remember, this is simply a guide for you. If you are completely stressed out, start with your breathing.
Then move to a calming herbal supplement such as Rhodiola Rosea or Ashwagandha. Rhodiola has also been shown to have weight loss benefits, and Aswagandha is particularly nourishing on the adrenal glands.
If you've been under chronic stress for a long time, it may take some time (and effort) to calm your nervous system down.
Be kind to your beautiful self. 💜
I hope this information was helpful for you today. If you struggle with adrenal fatigue, we have written many blogs about this and share our favourite adrenal cocktail recipe here.
PS: some other supplements known to help with stress are cordyceps and schisandra.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/stress/stress-and-weight-gain
https://www.buesingnaturopathic.com/schisandra-cordyceps-stress-and-fatigue/
Disclaimer: This article is strictly informational and not intended as health advice. Statements made have not been evaluated by the TGA and are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent. One should always consult with their trusted health professional before adding a new supplement to their diet.
