Do you feel like you are in a rut and don’t know how to make any changes? Find yourself wondering how to make your life different…..
Many of my clients often come to me with this challenge, feeling stuck in a repetitive cycle, unable to break free. They recognise the need for change in their lives but are unable to move forward. This feeling of being stuck can gradually wear away at self-confidence, resulting in frustration and exhaustion from battling their daily routine’s monotony.
Let me share an example of a client, Christie (name changed for privacy), who was stuck in a bad relationship. She felt unsupported and unfulfilled in the relationship, which caused stress. Additionally, she worked long hours in a job that added to her stress, but she felt trapped in her job that she wasn’t happy in because of financial obligations.
The stress from her personal and professional life had affected her physical and mental well-being. She was experiencing symptoms of adrenal fatigue, feeling exhausted, gaining weight, and struggling with brain fog, which hindered her ability to think clearly and make decisions.
The chronic stress she was experiencing had created a state of stagnation in her life, making it difficult for her to move forward.
Not all stress is bad…..
Stress is a natural response that can be beneficial in acute situations, such as avoiding danger, like a car coming towards you or defending yourself against a dog. This fight-or-flight response is crucial for survival and is embedded in our primitive instincts.
However, in modern times, chronic stress has become a prevalent issue that impacts our daily lives. Many women, in particular, find themselves juggling multiple sources of chronic stress, including financial pressures, relationships, work demands, household tasks, and caring for their children. This constant stress builds up and becomes overwhelming, creating an adrenal burden.
Chronic stress activates the HPA axis, involving the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. Prolonged activation can adversely affect our physical and mental well-being, contributing to the feeling of being stuck in a rut and unable to break free from the cycle of stress. Therefore, it’s essential to recognise and address chronic stress to prevent its detrimental impact on our health and overall quality of life.
The HPA axis plays a crucial role in regulating our stress response, sending signals from the brain to the adrenal glands to produce stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This response is designed to help us deal with acute stress situations.
However, when chronic stress persists and the HPA axis is constantly activated, it can lead to an overproduction of stress chemicals like cortisol and adrenaline. This overwhelms our body and creates a constant state of stress. Moreover, chronic stress can also rewire our brain to chronic stress conditions.
The impact of chronic stress on the hippocampus, the part of the brain involved in learning and creativity, can be detrimental. Recognising the harmful effects of chronic stress on our brain and overall health is crucial in finding ways to break free from the cycle of stress and improve our well-being.
Chronic stress has a profound impact on our cognitive abilities and brain function. It can disrupt our ability to learn from situations and be creative in our responses. In addition, the constant state of stress can hinder our decision-making abilities, making it difficult to adapt to new situations or break free from repetitive behaviours.
The good news is that we have the power to reverse the damage caused by chronic stress. While the brain may become rewired to chronic stress conditions, we can reverse this process and create new connections for health.
It’s crucial to recognise the effects of chronic stress on our body and mind and take steps to turn the situation around. Finding effective ways to manage stress, practising self-care, and seeking support when needed can help us break free from the paralysis caused by chronic stress and restore our well-being. It’s never too late to prioritise our health and happiness.
Here are some of the effective approaches that I recommend to clients and utilise myself:
- Active relaxed breathing technique
Science has shown that practising active breathing can help turn off the stress response and reset the nervous system. Various techniques are available, such as box breathing, Pranayama, diaphragmic, or meditative breathing and finding what works best for you is essential.
While it may take a concerted effort to make changes and break free from the state of feeling stuck, it’s reassuring to know that our bodies can adapt and heal. Resetting the nervous system can be a powerful step towards overcoming the impacts of chronic stress and restoring balance to our overall health and well-being.
- Calorie restriction and Intermittent fasting
Reducing calories for a short period of time or using Intermittent fasting for part of the week can activate a chemical in the brain called Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which promotes brain health and repair.
- Physical and Mental exercise
Regular physical exercise has been shown to reduce stress in the body. Mental exercises such as meditation, or brain teasers like sudoku or crosswords, can also help create a state of mind to help break free from the chronic stress rut.
- Meditation
This is also beneficial in reducing stress and promoting mental clarity.
- Maintain a healthy eating plan
Nourishing the body with a balanced diet with nutrient-rich foods, while reducing sugar and alcohol intake, can support the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine that are essential for cognitive function and mood regulation.
- Herbs and specific nutrients
There are many medicinal herbs with a reputation for supporting the adrenals and nervous system. Many adaptogenic herbs also can help reduce stress’s impact on the body and preserve cellular health.
- Therapies like Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Hypnosis
These therapies can effectively support a person through chronic stressful situations and help them move forward by supporting the rewiring the nervous system and creating new strategies for finding solutions. Many of my clients have found these therapies effective.
If you’re seeking assistance overcoming your rut and improving your quality of life, don’t hesitate to book an appointment for personalised support in your healing journey.
Together, we can work towards finding solutions and supporting your body’s natural healing process.
I look forward to helping you create your best life.
Teressa Todd
Conquering Health Naturopath and Biochemist
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This is how gut microbes can influence weight!
Probiotics can help you gain weight or lose weight by interacting with our genetics, food and metabolism.
And yes, I did say lose or gain weight……..
Firstly, let me explain that the trillions of microbes in the gut need to be varied, meaning that there should be a large variety of species. There are many different species (or breeds) of microbes, and they all have their place in aiding health — the more variety and balance, the better health results.
Back to the weight loss or weight gain issue….
Do you eat yogurt and berries for breakfast? Thinking that it’s helping you lose weight?
Well, Lactobacillus acidophilus (like the species found in yoghurt) has been connected to weight gain.
I am not saying throw your yoghurt and berries in the bin. Instead, I am suggesting looking at the overall picture. If Lactobacillus acidophilus is the predominant micro-organism of the gut, then weight gain can result.
It is about the variety of species of gut microbes. Imagine if we only have trained german shepherd guard dogs in the world. It may be a safe world, but I am sure that other breeds may be more suitable as a family pet.
While Lactobacillus acidophilus is associated with weight gain, other Lactobacillus species correlate with weight loss.
Species like Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Bifidobacteria animalis have been found to support weight loss.
Want to lose weight?
Look at your gut flora to support your goal.
Tests can be performed to identify the predominant species of the gut, and specific species can be utilised to support weight changes.
Want more information about your gut health?
Or want to look at all the factors contributing to weight gain, I’d love to be able to help.
Click here to book your appointment!
