Stress Management

Stress is a common issue in modern society and it can be caused by a variety of sources such as finances, work, relationships, and ill health.

Stress triggers the sympathetic pathway (fight or flight). Long term or repeated stress will have negative effects on our health, both physically and mentally. Stress management is a crucial part of lifestyle medicine and helps both prevent and manage chronic health conditions.

There are different ways to manage stress. Reducing exposure to stressors, often can be out of our personal control, practising techniques that prevent or alleviate our stress response. Some examples of stress management techniques include exercise, meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and journaling. These habits help increase the parasympathetic pathway (calming) which counteracts the sympathetic pathway.

Eating a healthy diet, particularly one rich in whole plant foods and reducing caffeinated drinks help manage the stress response. Additionally, some studies suggest that certain foods which improve the healthy gut microbiome can influence brain function and affective states such as anxiety and depression which directly impact on our ability to management our stress response.