{"id":4131,"date":"2023-04-01T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-31T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastfamilies\/?p=4131"},"modified":"2023-09-07T23:25:42","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T13:25:42","slug":"unlocking-healthier-year-strategies-naturopath-central-coast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastfamilies\/unlocking-healthier-year-strategies-naturopath-central-coast\/","title":{"rendered":"Unlocking a Healthier Year: Strategies to De-stress, Boost Mobility, and Limit Toxins"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Written by Diana Arundell \u2013 The Avoca Naturopath & Nutritionist<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three ways to move towards a healthier happy year \u2013 de\u2013stress, move your body and reduce chemical exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

de\u2013stress
<\/strong>It is estimated that most diseases and illnesses (90%) are a result of stress and the majority of visits to health professionals are stress related. What more do we need to hear to kick us into gear and do something about the impact of stress on our health? One option is to wait until a serious illness occurs that makes us stop in our tracks and take a good look at ourselves and say \u2018if I knew that was going to happen, I would have made some changes\u2019. Another option is doing what we can now to prevent a potentially life threatening health related wake up call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many people the word \u2018busy\u2019 can be interchanged with the word \u2018stress\u2019 and a constant up\u2013regulated state of hyper function can have the same impact on the body as stress can. For some, every moment of the day is micromanaged and jammed with being productive, getting things done and operating in a constant up\u2013regulated state. Often productivity has been linked to a sense of worthiness or stopping and just relaxing has been linked to feelings of guilt. Consider creating some space in the day\/week\/month for unexpected surprises that may be trying to make their way into the tightly run schedule or just simply just stop, breathe and become conscious of what you are doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressful life events are inevitable, however how we deal with the stress response is what\u2019s important. Our body has a \u2018fight or flight\u2019 response to help increase heart rate, blood flow and mental alertness to effectively deal with the stressor, however this is meant to be only a temporary and short term state. Our nervous system and body are meant to return to a relaxed \u2018rest and digest\u2019 state once the stress has passed. This allows the up\u2013regulated stress hormones to subside and reduces pressure on the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and central nervous systems until the next stressor comes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If too much time is spent in the \u2018fight or flight\u2019 mode or an up\u2013regulated state, our mental and physical health can begin to suffer resulting in mental health issues, high blood pressure, lowered immunity, digestive disturbance (reflux, bowel issues), insomnia, fatigue and eventually alterations to other systems of the body e.g. hormone imbalance or auto\u2013immune issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be aware of how stress is impacting you and consider your choices:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n