Dealing with the stress of September

It starts just after Labour Day, school, a new work routine, added traffic, all of it triggering added stress. The body’s reaction to this additional burden, release of our fight or flight hormones.

“Stress and the release of those stress hormones contributes to everything from an impaired immune system, insomnia, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, even cancer. It plays a significant role in all of those,” says Penny Kendall-Reed, a naturopathic doctor.

She also says we have Fred Flintstone’s physiology but we’re living in George Jetson’s world.

“We’re hunter gatherers by nature. We’re supposed to hang out at the campfire all day long. We’re not supposed to be working 12-hours a day and stuck in traffic and racing the kids to this and that after work.”

Though we may not be able to linger at the campfire, Kendall-Reed says there are two basic things we can do.

“Whether it’s a three course gourmet meal or it’s a protein shake and salad you get that balance protein in to carbohydrates at every single meal. Get off the computer, stop playing the video games, stop watching the TV. Get into bed, read a book, put your mind to sleep and get that eight hours. That will start to reprogram your body.”

She says sometimes temporary help is needed. Supplements that can help the body cut down it’s production of stress hormones during the day as well as help the body relax at night.

“I would love to say lifestyle alone can completely erase all aspects of stress in our life, but it can’t.”

Exercise is also important, but don’t do something you dread, do something you love.

“It’s just getting up and moving, getting your circulation going, putting oxygen through the body. Do it with a friend. Massage therapy is clinically proven to drop Cortisol levels, acupuncture, yoga. It’s getting you back to campfire.”