Feeling overwhelmed?

Sometimes life can feel a little overwhelming with responsibilities, to do lists, health requirements and external pressures. Feelings of stress and anxiety can impact not only our external world but our internal health: from nutrition deficiencies, sleep quality, skin breakouts and adrenal fatigue.

Sleep

While you are asleep your body has important work to do. The body repairs and regenerates brain and nerve cells, produces hormones and proteins and it removes toxic waste. It’s a full cycle battle sometimes, with feelings of stress affecting your sleep – which then leads to lack of sleep affecting your ability to deal with stress.

Prioritize some time out before you head to bed, such as taking time to sip on a sleep focused herbal tea packed with calming herbs, limit screen time and turn down the lights.
Sleep associations: simple routines done over time can help attune your body clock into a restful state. Just like a routine can benefit a child, we too can build a sleep routine which can help trigger our body clock into a sleep state.
Repetition of the same routine at night such as a warm shower, herbal tea, Lavendar oil on the skin, low lights and meditation can signal to your brain, nervous system and body that it’s time to let go and rest.

Nervous System Support

What you eat can have an enormous effect on your mood, nervous system and the body’s ability to handle stress. B Vitamins are incredibly important for a healthy nervous system so ensure plenty of leafy greens and healthy fats in your diet as well as foods rich in B12. Supplementing is also a wonderful and convenient option when you are already overwhelmed with choices. Ora Mag Mood is a great support during times of stress, that contains not only magnesium but lemon balm and Ashwagandha which could help relax the nervous system.
Activities that stimulate the Parasympathetic Nervous System should be included daily – such as walking outside, grounding in nature, diaphragmatic breathing & meditation.

Herbal Support

There are several sedative and nerve-supportive herbs that may help you to fall asleep and maintain your sleep. The most common are Lavender, Valerian, Passionflower, Skullcap and Zizyphus. Lavender, Passionflower & Skullcap are calming herbs for the mind and may be most useful for people who struggle to sleep due to anxiety or racing thoughts.

Our Naturopaths are on hand to customise a herbal blend that can support symptoms and your personal needs. Everyone’s health journey looks a little different, so personalisation is key to ensure you are supplementing with the right herbs & minerals your body needs.

Supplementation

Stress can sometimes interfere with appetite, or the ability to put together a well-balanced meal. Nutrition can certainly help during times of stress, with fresh fruit & veg being one of the best forms of essential vitamins & minerals the body needs to rest & repair. Often stress can also impact our body’s ability to absorb nutrients, especially when gut health & digestive issues are present. Supplementation is on hand to top up any areas of benefit such as magnesium, vitamin C, medicinal mushrooms and zinc. Reishi in particular is a famous Shen tonic, recommended to calm and balance the spirit, and enhance sleep quality.

Magnesium can be helpful to relax both the nervous system and your muscles, with almonds, dark chocolate, peanut butter, salmon, spinach, and walnuts great options.

Or try a complete supplement blend such as Fusion Stress & Anxiety – which offers a highly concentrated form of herbs to help relieve symptoms of stress and mild anxiety and enhances the body’s ability to adapt to stress.

Before taking any form of supplementation, speak with your healthcare professional and as always speak with our in-store qualified Naturopaths for complimentary advice.
Sometimes talking about how you are feeling can start to lighten the load – so please ask for help if you need.

*Flannerys Members SAVE 20% off Vitamins & Supplements on the first Friday & Saturday of each month. It’s free to join in-store.