Stress Resilience

According to The National Institute of Mental Health, stress is the physical or mental response to an external cause. A stressor may be a one-time or short-term occurrence, or it can happen repeatedly over a long period of time.

Modern research has revealed that cortisol and neurotransmitter release is normal, but repeated long-term exposure to stress tends to shrink the prefrontal cortex, reducing the brain’s function of memory, learning, and other higher cognitive faculties. The brain being predisposed to a high stress alarm rate creates a chronic cycle, which can be difficult to escape.

Fight or Flight perpetuity is catalyzed by key stressors: blood sugar challenges, mental or emotional pressure, sleep deprivation, and high inflammatory levels. This kicks the brain into cortisol secretion mode increasing Epinephrine, heart rate, blood pressure, and elicits the Immune Response. The Amygdala, a key part of the brain responsible for emotional control and memory processes, remains in fight or flight leading to decreased mental focus, irritability, mood swings, and focus/memory problems. High stress levels are responsible for significant structural and functional changes in the brain.

How can we as individuals be proactive in alleviating the ravages of continuous stress on the brain in this unrelenting modern world? Research has shown that botanicals and nutraceuticals can help improve mental focus, memory, and impulse control, while protecting the brain from the potential damage of excessive exposure to continuous stress.

There is an excellent product that has been very effective for mitigating the effects of a stressful lifestyle called NuAdapt created by the Ortho Molecular brand of products. It incorporates herbs for focus/memory and increased endocrine resiliency to help the body withstand the strains of stress. It also utilizes nutraceuticals to minimize cortisol response and increase alpha brain wave activity, promoting a sense of calm without any drowsiness.

It is vitally important to prioritize your health especially if you live a high intensity Go’Go’Go! lifestyle. A healthy anti-inflammatory natural diet free of processed carcinogenic foods should be at the foundation of your practice, with particular attention to hydration and alkalinization. Regular exercise, proper rest, connection with nature, family, friends, and community should be worked into daily life for a more grounded and fulfilling human experience.