Stress is an inevitable part of life. In the short term, it can serve as a motivator, driving us to push ourselves further. However, when we are burdened with heavy responsibilities or mounting pressures, everyday tasks often become more difficult, and we don’t feel like ourselves. This sort of long-term, unrelenting stress is not normal.

Counting the cost: the effect of stress on your body

Stress is so common it has become normalised - if not glorified in our hustle culture that is centred around productivity and ambition. However, at what cost? Let’s look at signs you are more stressed than you think:

• Easily startled
• feeling on edge and irritable
• Chronic sleep trouble
• Feeling disconnected from your passions
• Changes in appetite

Holistic approaches to stress relief

An integrated response to today’s stressors should emphasise a multifaceted approach that nourishes all aspects of our lives such as the mind, body and spirit. Focusing on nutrition, in particular, foods rich in B vitamins is a great place to start. B vitamins can be found in foods like:

• Whole grains (brown rice, oats, quinoa, barley)
• Leafy greens
• Eggs
• Nuts and seeds
• Meat

B group vitamins are essential for the body’s response to stress, having a variety of different influences including supporting nervous system health and assisting in the synthesis of neurotransmitters. As B vitamins are water soluble, they are generally not stored in the body so must be taken in the diet on a regular basis. Activated B Complex – Herbs of Gold contains activated B vitamins to support energy production and a healthy stress response in the body.

Supporting wellbeing must also include calming and restorative lifestyle shifts such as investing time into enjoyable activities like reading or crafting, spending more time in nature or practicing gratitude. Or maybe time management (delegating tasks to others, setting priorities) and setting boundaries might be the support you need.

So, there you have it! Nutritional choices and lifestyle practices may seem overly simple, but they can transform your response to stress and enhance your wellbeing when you’re consistent. These holistic approaches to dealing with common stressors are modifications anyone can utilise – so why not give it a go!