Stress is one of the common health concerns of many individuals. Stress is your body's reaction to harmful or threatening situations, whether the threats are real or not, and this triggers a chemical reaction known as the 'fight or flight' response.

Stress may present as feeling overwhelmed, experiencing low mood/energy, and sleeplessness. Insights from a recent study highlighted that nearly forty percent of New Zealanders struggle with sleep-related problems.

If you are prone to experiencing stress or sleeplessness, incorporating a few self-care practices throughout the day can have a positive impact on your overall health and well-being:
1. Supplementing with B Vitamins, which areresponsible for supporting your nervous system's stress response
2. Consuming green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. They are an amazing source of magnesium, which is a mineral responsible for modulating the activity of the body's stress-response system.
3. Avoiding excess alcohol and sugary foods, as these can contribute to variations in your energy levels, making your response to stress worse.
4. Ensuring you limit your caffeine consumption in the afternoon.
5. Having a comfortable bed and pillow to ensure your body is relaxed for sleep.
6. Using St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), which is also used in traditional Western herbal practice to support nervous system health. St. John's Wort can also be effective in supporting healthy mood balance.
7. Supporting well-being with Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), a flowering plant native to Europe and Asia, which is used to help support restful sleep according to traditional Western herbal practice. Additionally, Valerian can be useful in providing support during times of stress and worry.

Looking for extra support to help manage your stress and sleeplessness? Thompson’s Stress & Sleep range has been mastered to support you through these times.