Stress Level Zone: MODERATE
Stress is substantial but you feel functional in life. You take steps to keep stress from impacting your health.
Your survey score indicated you are living in a MODERATE stress zone. This means that your body is using energy for the "fight or flight" response, and at times you might feel "on edge", but it does not feel debilitating. The sympathetic nervous system is active, but not overloaded, and basic recovery and healthy habits for the body should be the primary focus. You may be experiencing some fatigue, distraction, irritability, sleep disruption or muscle tension. If left unattented, moderate stress can turn into high stress leading to more physical symptoms and impacting your well-being. Now's the time to be proactive!
*Based on your stress zone, we want to offer this webinar to you at no charge. Strategies are developed around our clinical experience treating patients and helping people reduce stress and live a more energized, joyful life.
WELL-MANAGED
MODERATE
HIGH
SEVERE
Recommendations for Your Stress Management
When stress is moderate, you are functioning fairly well throughout the day, but there is often an "edge" to how you feel. The good news is you can optimize your habits to help you feel even better! There are simple things you can do today to reduce stress and improve well-being.
The key is calming down the sympathetic nervous system, your "fight or flight" response. This will help decrease cortisol levels in the blood stream, reduce inflammation, reduce blood pressure, and allow the body to devote resources to other physiological needs, like cellular repair, and overall better recovery.
Remember, with MODERATE stress, you want to look at the full context. This includes your physical, mental and emotional well-being. Moderate stress left unchecked can easily turn to HIGH or SEVERE stress.
If that occurs, it is also important to rule out any underlying health condition that may be influencing your perception of stress. This can include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or chronic illness. If you are suffering from panic attacks or any serious health symptoms, consult with your physician.
** This information is for educational purposes only and does not take the place of medical advice. Consult your trusted practitioner with questions about your specific health situation.
Get Regular Exercise
This helps reduce inflammation, release "feel good" hormones, and relieve stress from the body. When you are having feelings of stress or overwhelm, it can feel hard to start. Don't worry, even 10 minutes a day will get your momentum going. A walk, some stretching, or a few sets of body-weight exercises can serve as a jumping off point. Aim to move intentionally 3-5x per week. Exercise provides stress relief and enhances mood almost immediately.
Use Relaxation Techniques
This includes breath work, meditation, yoga, etc. Yes, these things REALLY do help tremendously. These practices help downgrade nervous system activity so your body can shift out of "fight or flight". Start with the "box breath": Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts, then hold for 4 counts. Repeat for cycles of 5 box breaths. Simple breathing exercises can be done anywhere, anytime.
Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol
Caffeine is a stimulant that can tax the adrenal glands, a key part of our stress response system. Alcohol is a depressant and has multiple negative impacts on the body and brain, further decreasing our ability to manage stress. Either of these in excess (or even moderation) can cause feelings of anxiety, sleep disturbance, and poor energy, inhibiting your ability to manage stress.
Optimize with Supplements
There are many helpful supplements, herbs and nutrients that can support the body in managing stress. In times of chronic stress, our body can become depleted or run-down. Targeted supplements can be a huge support and dramatically improve how you feel. Benefits include increased mood, reduced symptoms of stress/anxiety, support for adrenal function and nervous system function, improved alertness, and relaxation.
Supplements for this ZoneGet Outside in Natural Light
Seem simple? It is. Being in nature is one of the most straight-forward things you can do to reduce stress, and it's research-backed. Being in natural light helps regulate our circadian rhythm, which is responsible for our sleep cycle. Lack of natural light, combined with excessive exposure to blue light from screens can disrupt your sleep hormones and lead to poor sleep. This further disregulates your nervous system, making it harder to manage stress.
Limit or Avoid Stress Triggers
We do have some control over what we expose ourselves to and the type of "input" we allow. Limiting potential stress triggers is a crucial stress management tool. This can include stressful relationships, news & social media, excessive screen time, certain environments, or toxic behaviors. Seek out professional help, like counseling, if you are having trouble identifying your stress triggers.
Meet the founders of OptimizeYou
We are Steph Saffer and Sarah Hayes, licensed acupuncturists working together for over a decade. With a cumulative 27+ years of experience, we know that stress is a major struggle for people, and we've witnessed firsthand the toll it can take on a person.
Yes, there's seemingly endless remedies out there. But health is not flashy. And after thousands of patient encounters, we have learned what it takes to help you reduce stress and get you feeling like the person you want to be.
No matter your stress level, we've got solutions for you. We help people overcome these challenges every day, and our goal is to get you feeling like the best version of yourself. Start with these recommendations. It's an incredible first step, and we'll be here when you're ready for the next one!
Learn about next steps...