Chronic stress can lead to the breakdown of healthy tissues. Support your body with these tips, adapted with permission from registered nutritional therapist Kaysha Thomas.
- Maintain a routine. Irregular meals send the signal that food is scarce and disrupts blood-sugar levels. The body produces cortisol as a result, which stimulates the release of glucose from its energy stores.
- Eat your omegas. Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and a structural part of brain-cell membranes. (See “The Omega Balance“, a guide to understanding omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to learn more.)
- Taste the rainbow. Eating colorful vegetables and fruits ensures that you’re consuming a good variety of antioxidants. They help defend the body against the damaging effects of oxidative stress, which is often present with anxiety.
- Cut back on caffeine. Stimulants can disrupt your sleep function and increase the production of stress hormones. (Have questions about caffeine? Get answers at “How Does Caffeine Really Affect Your Health?“.)
- Consider magnesium. Including magnesium-rich foods in your diet helps relax tight muscles. Magnesium is also a key component in insulin regulation and restful sleep. (For more on this critical mineral, see “Magnesium: Your Body’s Spark Plug“.)
- Maintain your macronutrients. Protein is vital for the production of neurotransmitters, blood-sugar regulation, and tissue repair, and carbohydrates help maintain optimal energy and blood-sugar levels. Healthy fats support a range of metabolic functions.
- Hydrate. The human body is approximately 60 percent water, making hydration crucial for some of our most essential biological functions. It’s especially important for digestive function and waste elimination. (Learn more at “The Health Benefits of Drinking Water“.)
This was excerpted from “Trauma-Informed Nutrition” which was published in the March 2022 issue of Experience Life magazine.
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