When it comes to stress, we all experience it in different ways so how stress affects you and how to overcome its affects are vital. Some people are able to deal with large amounts of stress without it leading to total exhaustion, whereas others amongst us buckle at the smallest sign of stress. Given that many of us have a variety of differing responses to stress, it is important to understand for yourself how stress affects you and your body and how stress starts.

What is stress?

Technically speaking, stress is the response of your body to intense or ongoing distress. That distress may be as a result of external events (like getting a divorce, moving house or losing your job) or as a result of your body experiencing internal issues (like changes to specific hormones or mental and emotional changes). The good news is, you can help your body cope with stress by finding out the cause, and feeding your body herbs and supplements to help it cope with its debilitating effects. One of the most important of these nutrients is Magnesium.

Why Magnesium for Stress?

Found naturally in some foods (almonds and dark green leafy vegetables are a great source), Magnesium is a key mineral necessary for a healthy stress response in the body. Known for its benefits in supporting muscular health (and in reducing muscular cramps and spasms), Magnesium also works by supporting the health of nerves. Magnesium is key to reducing the chance of falling into exhaustion or a chronic state of fatigue. Unfortunately, during times of stress, your body uses much more magnesium and other vitamins and minerals (like B vitamins), than it does during times of rest and relaxation. This increased need is due to the over excitability of muscles and the nervous system, when it is flooded with stress hormones. And the key to making sure your body doesn’t end up having a deficiency of this key nutrient as a result of stress, is to eat a lot of magnesium containing foods or take a magnesium supplement.

Why take a Magnesium supplement?

Although magnesium containing foods are a fantastic way to restore your magnesium levels, one of the down sides of stress comes with the production of stress hormones. Unfortunately, these stress hormones once released, work to effectively shut down your digestive system, leading to poor digestion and in some cases, greatly reduced hunger. It is for this reason, that a magnesium supplement may be more suited for you during times of stress.

Mr Vitamins recommends

Nutra-Life Magnesium Complete Calm Formulated with magnesium and a concentrated extract of the stress busting herb Withania, this formula works to calm and restorative vitality. Nutra-Life Magnesium Calm is an easy to take powder also suitable for reducing digestive and nervous system tension associated with stress. Find out more and shop online for Nutra-Life Magnesium Complete Calm here