When you are under too much stress, both your body and your mind are affected.  This week we’ll be talking about ways that we can address the physical effects that stress can cause.  Come back next week for some tips on the mental aspects of stress!

Here are six things you can do when you feel “stressed out” to cope with the physical effects of stress.

Eat healthy meals. Also, don’t skip breakfast or lunch to “save time.”  Recognize that picking up a fast food dinner might be “easy”–until your body faces the task of digesting all that fat, salt, sugar and grease.  We know it’s hard to eat perfectly balanced meals every day.  Therefore, take a multi-vitamin to ensure you are receiving all the nutrients you need.  An excess of sugary, salty, fatty or nutritionally empty foods puts strain on your digestive system for little reward.  Meanwhile, healthy meals will give your body the nutrients it requires to react to stress.

Learn relaxation techniques. Try meditation, yoga, or “cat naps.”  You can rest your body and mind in the middle of the day to give them the break they need.

Exercise regularly. Physical activity is a great outlet for stress.  It also gives you the benefits of increasing your endurance and improving your cardiovascular health.

Don’t rely on alcohol (or other drugs) to relax. Drugs, including alcohol, have side effects that cause stresses of their own.  Regular alcohol consumption causes you to build a tolerance (meaning you need to drink more to get the same effects) and carries a risk of dependence.  Alcohol also affects your sleep patterns, making #5 more difficult.

Get enough sleep.  In conclusion, your body relies on sleep to recover from the day’s exertions.

Visit your chiropractor! Chiropractic care locates and corrects pre-existing interferences in your nervous system and helps to prevent new ones from occurring.  Your body is better able to respond to stress accurately and appropriately when your nervous system is working at peak efficiency.

If you’re feeling stressed, it’s time to give your chiropractor a call.  Phone Sheppard Chiropratic Centre at (506) 635-8182 or (506) 847-7172 to book your appointment.