We’ve had a hectic year, but Deirdre Panapa from DP Herbals is here to calm us down.

We made it (almost!). Elections, lockdowns, the Covid-19 pandemic and closed borders have caused unexpected stress, hardships and concern for ourselves and loved ones both here and overseas. They say pressure makes coal into diamonds, but you might be feeling anything but shiny and bright. 2020 has taught us is that through all this uncertainty we must find flexibility, strength and resilience.

From daily updates to news reports of outbreaks and soaring financial uncertainty, we have been subject to chronic long-term stress since the beginning of the year, and some more than others. This type of stress strongly affects every system in your body, and if the situation remains urgent or intense then it will affect your mental wellbeing, mood, sleeping patterns, digestion, blood pressure, heart rate, hormones and of course your energy levels.

People often don’t acknowledge their symptoms as being stress related. You can be wired and tired, where you are too wound up to relax, resulting in your brain not switching off. You might be full of fear and worry, where you can start to get physical symptoms in relation to daily activities, and can experience panic attacks. You may feel exhausted and flat - in some individuals, exposure to ongoing stress may change the way their brain is able to respond, leaving them physically and emotionally drained. You might feel lethargic or low in mood. Chronic stress can lead to structural changes to brain tissues, changing the way the brain functions. We can see a decrease in resilience leading to feelings of overwhelm, vulnerability, and weepy moments.

But fear not! Help is at hand. During times of stress your body uses more nutrients than usual, but two particular nutrients are absolutely critical for maintaining energy and improving mental and physical relaxation.

Magnesium

Many people are aware magnesium is beneficial for muscle relaxation and to provide support for muscle cramps and spasms; however, it also supports cellular energy production. When you have a lot on your plate and your energy reserves are running low, magnesium can help you refuel.

B vitamins

B vitamins typically come as a ‘complex’, as they are a group of nutrients that act together in synergy to support energy production and healthy nervous system function. These powerhouse nutrients are involved in numerous hormonal pathways and support brain chemistry.

Breathe

Try taking a mini-moment and remember to breathe. Breathing is a tool we have at all times that can immediately calm or energise us.

To relax: breathe in for four seconds, hold it for two seconds, and breathe out for seven seconds.

To energise: reverse the relax protocol, so the in-breath is longer than the out-breath. Breathe in for seven, hold for two, out for four.

Resilience is the capacity to prepare for, recover from and adapt in the face of adversity. You can learn how to accumulate and store resilience. Increasing resilience involves changing how you react to and perceive your environment.

Don’t just think positive. Feel positive - and take your B vitamins. Meditate, connect and find that higher power. As Dr Wayne Dyer said, “when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change”.

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