Today I want to talk to you about how your immune system reacts to emotions and STRESS and why it’s so important toself care.
It’s a busy week, but that doesn’t mean you can just forget about your stress management – especially if you have adrenal issues or an autoimmune disease.
Stress is a broad term used to differentiate a state of calm and relaxation – called the parasympathetic nervous system response – from an active state of response called the sympathetic nervous system response. Also known as Fight and Flight.
The Fight and Flight response is our survival mechanism to help us act fast in the face of alarm or danger. It isn’t designed for continual activation. However, most of us are finding a pit of worry in their gut all the time at the moment – and this is a sign of chronic stress.
>> Here are examples of activities that activate the fight and flight response in the body – some of them are fun and a part of life. Some are more obviously stressful:
- Exercise – running, gym workouts, sport
- Arguments with friends or family
- Watching thrilling movies
- Working on a computer or screen after 8PM
- Worrying
- Anxiety
- Build up of circling emotions
- Fear, anger, rage
- Broken sleep and insomnia
If you found that fatigue was an issue before all the craziness that 2020 has thrown at us, then your nervous system is probably in a more vulnerable position.
We can test adrenal gland function with a 3-point saliva test (shown below). This test shows us if the glands are producing the right level of cortisol at the right time of the day. It is superior to blood testing cortisol, as a blood test shows total cortisol, whereas saliva shows available cortisol.
High cortisol levels show an overactive adrenal response.
Low cortisol shows a longer term fatigue picture.
Each have different treatment needs to assist the body back to a better balance, requiring nutrients and adrenal and immune system herbs keeping you relaxed, healthy & strong.
STRESS and Auto-immune disease.
People with pre-existing autoimmune disease are even more susceptible to stress. Stress flares the autoimmune disease very quickly, resulting in an increase in their particular symptom picture and speeds up disease progression if left unchecked.
This is largely due the surge of inflammation in the system.
How’s your SLEEP?
Lack of sleep is as stressful to the body as psychological stressors, and predisposes people to susceptibility to colds and flus equally.
Our preferred adrenal hormone test also tests Melatonin levels – which is vital to deep, restful sleep. Melatonin is a neurotransmitter that is dependent on nutrients such as; magnesium, SAMe, 5HTP, zinc, B vitamins and much more.
A sleep disorder usually has more behind it than just feeling over stressed. The nutrient deficiency must also be corrected to get a good therapeutic result.
If you would like to speak one-on-one with a naturopath practitioner, I invite you to click the link and book a time slot – we love to chat with our readers and help you gain better health!
This is a free consult to discuss what is going on for you, and if we can help. Even if you currently on medication, if you are suffering with low energy, poor vitality, low libido, brain fog, or sleep issues – we can help.
ᑭᗩTIEᑎT ᖇEᐯIEᗯ
“Came in feeling absolutely exhausted with no energy or motivation. After taking supplements for a few months, my energy levels and motivation returned and kept improving. I also noticed my goiter reduced in size with the iodine supplements.” – L.S.
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