Stress, Part Two

So I survived my super super stressful week of training, final exams, papers, deadlines, and balancing life. It was STRESSFUL. So before I get to eating right to manage stress Im going to talk to you about what happens more with stress. I am finally experiencing my first day off in about 2 weeks. So as I sit here in my pajamas sipping on my DaVinci Spectra Reds antioxidant drink mix I am pondering the affects of all that stress I went through. Well I went into that week healthy and feeling good. Now here I am with a cold, sore muscles that are not recovering fast enough, a slight headache that doesn't really get to me till the end of the day, and a craving for carbs that wont go away.
Stress was the cause of all of this. I pushed myself past my physical limit and mentally challenged myself  for days without a break. At the same time I was not taking the necessary steps to relax and spend time one me. This past week only reinforced the importance of days off and forgetting to do lists for me. I know for some of us that is really hard to do. But take it from me, you need to put take care of you on your to do list.

Ok onto the stuff I promised you! Eating right to manage stress. I mentioned earlier that I am craving carbohydrates. You crave carbs and or sugar when you are stressed. This is because you stress hormone cortisol is releasing messages to your body's adrenal receptors saying its go time, I NEED ENERGY! So you crave that instant energy from sugar and carbs.
Now that you understand what and why you are up against you can manage it. Proper sleep and exercise will help reduce these cravings because you will be supplying your body with real work so you can burn off the adrenalin.

Now some foods have a naturally soothing effect on you. A lot of teas such as chamomile, jasmine, mint, rosemary, etc will help calm your mind and your nerves. 

Fried eggs helps reduce high blood pressure you get when your stressed by providing amino acids that dilate blood vessels and eggs also increase ACE inhibitory peptides.
Alcohol preferably a glass of red wine recommended to drink one a day by the ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) no you can't save them up for the weekend, and no you shouldn't have more than one or two a drinks a day. This is also good for blood pressure, might I remind you that I am still talking about one drink a day only. More than that will produce adverse effects of simulation your body into a high stress situation.

Overall eat more protein and less carbs. Take out greasey suggary garbage and take a good multivitamin. I take a performance multi for women that has an AM and a PM bottle. Twice a day, vitamins in the morning to sustain me, then minerals at night to help me sleep.

Since I only get one half day off a week I am going to cut this short so I can get on with my day. I hope you all enjoy your week and have a merry Holiday weekend!