We all lead busy lives and daily stresses can have more of a toll on your body than you realise! When we are young and healthy, we may not be too concerned about stress management but did you know that living with high levels of stress can set you up for hormonal imbalances that could affect your future fertility. Stress can also affect your relationships in the long run and is one of the main causes behind a lowered sex drive in both men and women. The last thing you want in the run up to Valentine’s Day is to being feeling anxious, worn out and indifferent about sex.
But don’t worry! There are many things you can do to get a spring back in your step, so make sure you’re de-stressed and ready for Valentine’s Day with our experts’ stress busting tips:
Happy Hormones
Everyone knows about the benefits of exercise on a physical level, but pumping some iron can also work wonders for your brain:
Chris Sweeney, COO and Co-Founder of Fitssi the new lifestyle fitness app, explains:
“Working out can play a major role in managing stress levels. There are two main factors affecting this, firstly, any physical activity boosts the production of the ‘happy hormone’ endorphin, also commonly known as the ‘runner’s high’. Endorphins trigger a positive feeling in the body, which reduces the feeling of pain and helps you to relax. The second and I think most significant, is the social experience of working out with friends. Very often, my sessions double into therapy sessions – it’s easier to get things of your chest amongst likeminded people. It’s all about getting together, socialising and working out because its good for you but also just great fun!.”
Boost your Omega’s
Diet is the easiest way to nourish your brain and body. Shona Wilkinson, nutritionist at Superfood UK, explains:
“Oily fish contains DHA, which contributes toward brain health; research has also shown that the omega three found in oily fish helps in reducing anxiety.” Anxiety is something which is often peaking at the end of a busy day so by eating this omega rich meal you will be helping to support your body through this period.
At Ease with Vitamin B
If you’re looking for a daily vitamin boost which can help decrease your stress levels, look no further than Vitamin B. Dr Marilyn Glenville, the UK’s leading nutritionist and author of ‘Natural Alternatives to Sugar’ says:
“Certain nutrients can be very helpful in reducing stress levels, such as B vitamins, especially B5 for stress relief and energy, magnesium (nature’s tranquiliser) for relaxation and sleep, chromium for blood sugar balance, L-theanine for reducing anxiety and finally Siberian Ginseng, which acts as a tonic to the adrenal glands.”
Erratic blood sugar levels are the primary reason behind mood changes, so don’t forget to watch out for these foods that might leave your body feeling stressed out:
Say No To Sugar
Obviously, binging on sweet treats may be wonderful in the moment but a sugar crash will feel you feel less than sweet. Marilyn explains:
“Balancing blood sugar is essential in lowering stress because the crashes in sugar levels which happen through the day (due to long periods without food and not eating the right foods) stimulates the stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol to be released. This is because these stress hormones, apart from helping you to run away from a tiger, can also mobilise your glucose (which has been stored as glycogen in the liver) back into the blood stream. This is why you can feel more jittery, irritable etc when blood sugar plummets!”
Put Down the Coffee
Although you might need a few coffees to get through the day, by the time you’re getting ready for your date you might be feeling the effects of your lunchtime latte. “Caffeine is a stimulant, which prompts your body to release the stress hormones making you feel more stressed and jittery than you should be.” Says Marilyn. “Also caffeine is addictive. Tea and coffee act like a drug. As the effect of the caffeine wears off, you will want another one and then you are back on that roller coaster again of highs and lows, exactly like the highs and lows of blood sugar. If you add sugar to the tea or coffee the roller coaster highs will be higher and the lows lower making you feel even more stressed.”
