Stress + Adrenals

With winter upon us, we welcome cozy afternoons by the fire, warm soups and hot toddies, snuggly boots and scarves…. but unfortunately for many women the colder months can bring an increase in the blues. Fortunately, one of the best natural strategies for helping boost your mood are essential oils.

Amidst the wonderful family holidays approaching often come the unwelcome guests of nausea and bloating. That’s why it’s helpful to have a few natural go-to’s for when the occasional episode of nausea hits you or a loved one.

As a trace mineral – meaning one that we need in smaller amounts than say magnesium or potassium – zinc doesn’t always get a lot of love. However, zinc is essential for hormone production and maintenance it is one of the most important minerals to ensure a healthy response to stress, strong adrenal and thyroid function, fertility and regular cycles and a less symptomatic journey through menopause.

There are so many so-called superfoods out there to choose from but one category rises above them all for me… these are seeds. The saying good things come in small packages has never been more true than when it comes to seeds.  From pumpkin to hemp to chia, seeds offer the triple bonus of protein, fiber, healthy fats all in one little punch!

For a very little gland, the thyroid can create a lot of havoc. Located right at the base of the neck, our thyroid gland is like the drum majorette for our body controlling the pace at which everything runs. In fact, the thyroid stores and produces hormones that affect the function of virtually every organ in our body and impacts our metabolic rate, energy production and ability to manage our weight.

Magnesium is like the PTO president in your body… active behind the scenes in so many functions that almost nothing can get done without it.  In fact, magnesium is involved in over 300 reactions in the body and is an especially important mineral for women’s health. And yet, up to 80% of us are likely not getting enough magnesium despite the fact that it is abundant in many delicious plant-based foods.

Stress. Anxiety. Overindulging. Depression. Lack of sleep. The latest virus. Weight gain. These are just a few of the exciting things often waiting for us as we catapult into the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years. But with a few practical changes, you can minimize the holiday health madness and maybe even come out feeling healthier on the other side! 

Today, many of our teen girls are lacking the nutrients to support the intense emotional, intellectual and physical growth they are experiencing as well as the demands that athletics and adolescent stressors place on their bodies and brains.