Stress Tips from Naturopathic Doctors
Eat a whole foods, well-balanced diet. - Remember, food is medicine. When we are stressed or overwhelmed, it is easy to slip out of a healthy diet. This is very normal! When life is busy and stressful, tap into your quick and easy recipe bank.
Take a break from caffeine and alcohol- While coffee isn’t bad (spoiler alert!), we want to make sure we are benefitting from the caffeine for mood and energy purposes while not being too heavily reliant on it which can also contribute to anxiety and insomnia. Alcohol can be an immediate stress reliever but overtime can reduce resiliency. Try taking a break for 1-2 days per week.
Stay active/ Move your body daily. - Exercise is one of the best stress relievers! Listen to your body for clues on what type of exercise is right for you. Some people like a more vigorous activity, while others are inclined for more restful and rejuvenative movement like yoga.
Get out in Nature. - We call it Vitamin N! When feeling stressed, go for a walk outside.
Establish a routine - Set a bedtime and wake up time that’s about the same every day. This helps the body to establish a healthy rhythm.
Optimize Sleep- take note if you’re under-sleeping or over-sleeping. Both can happen during times of stress and address each accordingly.
Maintain healthy boundaries- people crossing boundaries can be a huge source of stress. Don’t forget to set and reset boundaries.