Many people find themselves in a stressful situation they can’t avoid.  This may be causing them distress and wide range of health problems – poor sleep, low energy, digestive problems, skin problems, headaches, migraines, poor immune health, sugar cravings, falling hair and the list goes on.  The question I often get asked is “If you are going to treat the cause of my health problem, and the cause is stress, what can I do if I cannot avoid the situation?”.

There are two areas of the body that stress effects primarily.  The first area is the nervous system, which becomes initially overexcited, and later exhausted by the effects of stress.  There are many things that will calm down an overexcited nervous system including herbal medicines, magnesium, flower essences and avoiding caffeine. An exhausted nervous system needs nourishing with herbal medicines, magnesium, B vitamins and rest.

The second area is the adrenal glands.  Adrenal exhaustion is the long term effect of stress.  Symptoms of adrenal fatigue include exhaustion, sugar cravings, insomnia, hormonal imbalance, falling hair, dark circles under the eyes and low cortisol levels.  We need to nourish the adrenal glands in the this situation with vitamins B and C, and herbal medicines called adaptogens that help the body adapt to stress.  I also use the Australian Bush Flower Essences to help clients cope with stress mentally and emotionally.