The Natural Way to Survive the Holidays
Dec 29, 2017 12:29PM ● By Emily Crawford, CNHP, RN
Who doesn’t love the holidays? Most do, but they can be very stressful. Between traffic, traveling, shopping, increased spending, and probably the biggest culprit of all, bad eating habits, the body is just ready for a break by January 1. Many individuals want to get back in the gym and lose some weight, or go on a detox cleanse or fast to purge. Trying to get back into health can be overwhelming and many times can put more stress on the body.
What if there were products available that could help manage stress and also assist with weight loss? Well, there are! There is a whole category of herbs called adaptogens that do this very thing. These herbs help to balance the levels of cortisol (the hormone responsible for stress) in the body.
When one is under stress, cortisol levels can become high and unbalanced, often peaking in the morning rather than at night. This causes sleepless nights and diminished energy levels during the day—resulting in fatigue. Cortisol also plays a role in weight loss due to its correlation with insulin, blood sugar levels and hormones. Balancing cortisol levels is so very important in the fight against stress and weight gain.
One of my favorite herbs is ashwagandha. It is an adaptogen herb with many health benefits. It not only helps to balance cortisol levels but also aids in balancing blood sugar levels and reversing insulin resistance. According to research, ashwagandha can decrease cortisol levels by as much as 28 percent.
Many individuals struggle to lose weight due to a low-functioning thyroid condition. Ashwagandha can be of benefit in many of these cases, as it has the ability to stimulate the thyroid, which activates thyroid hormones. By doing this, stress levels are often greatly reduced and weight-loss efforts are much more effective and successful.
The new year is here! It’s time to get back on track and on the road to better health and wellness … naturally!
For more information, call Garner’s Natural Life at 803-454-7700 or visit GarnersNaturalLife.com.
