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Writer's pictureErin Walker

6 ways to nurture your metabolism and stress systems


I've been asked a lot lately - "So, what, exactly, can I DO about all the things you're telling me might be happening in my body?". Totally reasonable question to ask, right?! Throughout our journey together we’ll go DEEP into all the ways you can support your body and respect it’s natural rhythm – I promise! The thing to keep in mind, though, is that it’s extremely important to have a deeper understanding about the potential root causes for the things you’re experiencing to ensure that the strategies you implement will actually help you. For example, there can be multiple reasons you’re feeling fatigued or experiencing acne. Your diet, lifestyle, and health history will shed more light on what your unique causal factors might be and, therefore, the things you might benefit from trying to address them. There’s also some trial and error in this process to finding your bio individual set of supports that your body loves the best. For example, Ashwaganda is an amazing adaptogenic herb that essentially counteracts your body’s stress response. Some people respond well to it, some people feel nothing.


And that’s where health coaches can be a great resource. As an integrative nutritional health coach, my job is to help you peel back the layers and figure out the root factors contributing to your health imbalances and partner with you to develop a unique plan of action to help you regain and maintain balance – nutritionally, emotionally, and physically. We take knowledge and turn it into action and results.


But, in the meantime, here are a few tips for nurturing your metabolism and stress system.


 

Self-care rituals: Whatever you like - do it! Warm baths with Epsom salts, nature walks, massages, the list is endless.


Deep breathing: It has been scientifically proven that when you deepen and slow down your breathing it activates the parasympathetic nervous system which is the opposite of your fight or flight response. There are tons of deep breathing apps and websites, but simply stopping throughout your day to take measured breaths in and out really works to calm your body down.


Adaptogens: These are a select group of herbs (and some mushrooms) that support the body's natural ability to deal with stress. Some of the most effective include ashwaganda, rhodiola, and Asian ginseng. You can find them in teas and powder supplement form that you can drop into your smoothies.


Sleep! I mean the good, restorative, deep sleep for at least 7-9 hours per night. There is such a thing as sleep hygiene to increase the quality of your zzzz’s.


Clean up your diet: Sugar, artificial sweeteners, gluten, dairy, and caffeine can all trigger the stress response in your body. If you’re eating these things all the time, guess what? – you’re creating a constant stress response in your body.


Exercise: One of the fastest and most powerful ways to reduce stress response and support the thyroid is movement. Even if not rigorous intense exercise. A walk around your neighborhood or some other low impact movement will work.



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