Herren Wellness’ Post

Sometimes it can feel like stress is all around us. We are trying to meet more demands than ever, and our self-care routine gets pushed by the wayside. That often means bad food choices and poor sleep habits, which lead to internal stress. When we eat things like white flour, sugar, and fried foods, we increase inflammation and stress hormone production. Since sleep dramatically impacts our pituitary gland, lack of adequate rest means an increase in hormones like cortisol and the hunger hormone ghrelin. Ever wonder why you’re reaching for junk food the day after a poor night’s sleep? That’s why. So we’re getting external stresses from our jobs, family responsibilities, financial worries, and many other places, then we’re compounding them with unhealthy lifestyle choices. The result is an epidemic of stress and increased risk for chronic diseases: everything from Type 2 diabetes to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and depression. This is why having a way to manage your stress is so important. It can be yoga, meditation, walking, spending time in nature, taking a bath, cooking, etc. Pick something you can easily incorporate into your lifestyle, even just for a few minutes a day.