It’s been said before and we’ll say it again – the number one thing that you can do for your overall health is take care of your stress levels.
How stress impacts your health
While stress in small doses is a perfectly healthy part of life, if you find you experience high levels of stress over prolonged levels of time then it is likely your health and wellbeing may be impacted. Persistent, high levels of stress can impact your health in a variety of ways, including:
- Sex hormone imbalance Because progesterone is the precursor to cortisol, when cortisol levels increase, progesterone levels decrease. This can be a particular issue of concern for women as it can result in oestrogen imbalance, which can have many negative side effects for your health.
- Digestive issues
High stress levels can lead to insufficient stomach acid or digestive fire to properly break down the foods that you eat and extract the right nutrients from these foods.
- Low energy and fatigue
Unbalanced cortisol levels impact your ability to stay wakeful and energised throughout the day.
- Trouble sleeping
You may find it hard to ‘switch off’ your brain which can impact your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.
- Weight gain
High levels of cortisol can activate your ‘fight or flight’ mode and promote fat storage (particularly around your middle).
Signs of stress check list
- Do you find it hard to get out of bed in the morning?
- Do you lack energy throughout the day?
- Do you struggle to get to sleep or find yourself waking frequently in the night?
If you’re looking to get your stress back on track, consider the Eve Stress and Adrenal Test to learn what your stress picture is and what you can do about it. The test measures both cortisol and cortisone to find out exactly what’s going on for you and provide you with personalised recommendations to help you balance your stress levels.
Always read the label and take as directed. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare professional. BePure, Auckland. TAPS PP5288.
