Stress is an inevitable part of life, but chronic stress can lead to inflammation, and inflammation can lead to disease. With the way the world works today, it’s very easy to forget to take some time to slow down and take care of ourselves. This can leave us feeling tense, anxious, and suffering from low immune function. However, the great news is that there are things that you can do on a daily basis to help keep stress out of the body to help support overall wellness.

By taking these steps, you will be safeguarding your health for the long run.

#1 Use Adaptogens: Adaptogens work by supporting the body with exactly what it needs. They also help to support a healthy stress response and help to prevent your body from going into a total burnout mode from dealing with large amounts of stress. While it is essential to do whatever you can to reduce stress on your own, supporting with adaptogenic herbs is an excellent way to give your body that boost it needs to get back into balance. At Dr. Vim’s we offer Vigor, a supplement for men, and Yinergy for women, both of which can significantly help reduce your levels of stress and tension by supporting your body with what it needs to achieve balance. Sipping on our Holy Basil tea when you are feeling anxious is another great way to show your body some love, and keep stress levels low.

#2 Practice Mindfulness: Bringing some mindful awareness to your day can make a huge difference in how much stress you bottle up in your body. To practice mindfulness, simply be more present in your everyday life. Stop and be present in what you are doing in the here and now without any judgement. This will help to calm any racing thoughts and help you feel more centered. You can also become more mindful when it comes to meal time. Slow down when you eat, chew each bite, and remember to be grateful for the food that you are able to enjoy.

#3 Get Active: Being active is an excellent way to reduce the stress you hold onto. If you tend to hold tension in your shoulders or neck, try doing some yoga or pilates.  If you find yourself feeling super tense and anxious, maybe you need to get outside for a brisk walk. Sometimes a feeling of calm and a better mood is just one workout away. Just remember to listen to your body and take it at your own pace.

#4 Support Your Body with Food: Supporting your body and reducing stress through the food choices you make is the perfect way to support overall balance. Each food choice you make will either help support health, or cause inflammation. Choose foods that can help support your body through periods of stress. Enjoy more healthy fats like avocados, coconut, nuts, seeds, and wild-caught fish. Add more dark leafy greens into your diet and less packaged and processed foods.

While we all experience some level of stress, taking care of ourselves is the best way to keep stress from impacting your overall health. Start taking these steps today to feel better long term and to protect your health from stress-induced disease in the future. Remember that you have more power than you think to prevent stress from impacting your overall wellbeing.