By Louise Knecht Kinesiologist. Nutritionist

We all experience stress on a daily basis and depending on who you are and how you manage that stress varies dramatically.

Recent statistics show how 12.5 million work days are lost due to stress-related conditions, including depression and anxiety.

Not all stress is bad but if you’re among the high percentage who experience poor health, whether physical or mental, you can start to improve how you manage your stress levels.

How can kinesiology help with stress?

As a Kinesiologist, I am able to test your body to determine what factors in your life are causing stress as well as what you can do to rebalance this.

In our natural defence mode against any stress, we enter our fight or flight state:

• Increased adrenal hormone levels
• Increased heart rate
• Digestive system shut down
• Rapid breathing
• Increased cortisol release

Any one of these symptoms over an extended length of time will lead to the breakdown of other systems within your body and mind.   We generally experience more than one at a time, proving extremely harmful.

Prolonged stress can lead to chronic illness

Prolonged increased cortisol levels (a steroid hormone) alone can lead to a compromised immune system- leaving you open to attack from bacteria, viruses, parasites etc.  Your mood and mental state become affected and other chronic illnesses can start to show including depression, anxiety, obesity etc.

With over ten years experience I have realised that managing our stress can be far more beneficial than falling into sickness and disease and long term poor health.

Here are my top tips to beat stress overload:

• Smart snacking – nuts, seeds, oatcakes, nut butter, low GI fruits – these will keep you energised and your sugar levels balanced.
• Herbal teas (avoid caffeine which only serves to increase your stress levels). These aid relaxation in the body rather than stimulation.
• Exercise – swimming, yoga, walking – anything to get you moving without being too competitive – plug this in to your daily routine.
• Unplug before 8pm – turn off your technology to keep your brain from being overstimulated.
• Epsom Salts Baths – soak away your worries, aches and pains and encourage sleep to recharge and de-stress overnight. Aim for at least 8 hours sleep .
• Nutritional supplements* – this is a big one.  The older we get the more we need to ensure a better diet. Lack of certain minerals and vitamins will add to your body’s already stressful state.  Adding better nutrition and supplements will help you manage better on a daily basis.

* Contact me today if you’re not sure which supplements you need. I can determine using my Kinesiology toolkit to specifically test what it is your body needs, enabling a better balance for you to begin your stress-less life.

Want to feel less stressed?

To book your balance today contact me