Stress-less: April is National Stress Awareness Month

Stress is an everyday word now in most Americans’ everyday lives. We have come to a point where a certain level of stress is expected and sadly accepted in our lives. During the month of April, health care professionals and health promotion experts across the country will join forces to increase public awareness about both the causes and cures for the modern world’s Stress epidemic.

Stress itself is a physical or mental response to an external cause which can be a one-time event or short-term occurrence (such as a fender bender or having surgery and not being able to drive for a few weeks). However, chronic stress has become a national health problem and is causing health issues and diseases such as heart disease, anxiety, depression, immune and digestive system disorders. Chronic stress can lead to anxiety which is the body’s reaction to stress even if there is no immediate threat or event that just occurred.  Anxiety can internalize into a persistent feeling of apprehension and dread that doesn’t go away (even when a stressor is not present) and starts to interfere with daily life and your body’s ability to function (such as not being able to sleep.) Anxiety at this level can negatively impact your health down the line if it’s left unchecked and you keep trying to just “push to get through” each day.

The everyday things we need to do to take care of ourselves and to stay healthy sometimes get out of balance. Regular exercise and getting outside in fresh air and sunlight can increase your body’s production of Vitamin D which is an important vitamin for immune health.  Eating healthy and snacking healthy- less salt, caffeine,  processed foods, and taking probiotics will help your digestive system which in turn supports your body’s immune system. In addition to these, there are coping mechanisms that can help you deal with short-term stress and to help you reduce your anxiety and improve your daily life.  Meditation practice, relaxation techniques, and yoga are great for calming the mind and body to help the body deal with stress in a positive way.  Taking natural health supplements that target mood and immune support are also an option that could help support your cells to combat oxidative stress effects, promote mental relaxation, and help your immune system defenses. Incorporating daily health supplements such as CHILL VIBES, IMMUNITY BUILDER, or PQQ + Lunasin from Carefast Products will help your body combat oxidative stress at the cellular level and help your body's response to stress.* Each formulation is unique and can help promote a healthy immune system from the boost of high potency vitamins and minerals or proprietary blend of natural herbs and plant extracts.*

Writing down what you are grateful for in a journal every day can be a great way to turn your thoughts into a positive direction when you are feeling overwhelmed and pessimistic. It will also help you to identify any negative thoughts and teach yourself to instead focus on the good things and positive things that are going on in your life. Journals are also a great way to see progress in getting through the tough times and keeping a positive outlook on what really matters in life and remembering to take time to appreciate the good in life.

Finally, don’t hesitate to reach out to friends and family members who can lend words of hope and encouragement or who may be able to help you with everyday tasks. Asking for help in your daily life to relieve a task (such as a pickup or drop off to after school events or sports) can alleviate one task a day for you, but that one task may alleviate 50% of the added stress you are feeling and trying to cope with in juggling your schedule to make it all work.  Being aware of the things that are bringing you the most stress and then taking steps to lessen them will help you stay healthy and decrease the stress you are feeling.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.