Cal-a-Vie
We are all reeling physically and emotionally in the wake of the tragic events of September 11th and now from our nation’s war against terrorism. As we move through our grief, we must also wage war with our own fears and anxieties. We must begin to live fully again by taking care of ourselves body, mind and spirit. Here are a few helpful reminders on how to constructively manage stress.

Exercise. Pull yourselves away from the bad news box (TV) and take a long walk, do Hatha Yoga, or Tai Chi, strength train, or go dancing. As you move, you’ll neutralize stress hormones, bring badly needed oxygen into the body and brain, and release endorphins that will help keep you calm.

Remember to eat right. We have to nourish ourselves more completely when under stress for the reason that we are burning up more nutrients. Please cut down or eliminate caffeine, alcohol, and processed white sugar and white flour products. They all rob the body of nutrients and create more internal stress. Instead, flood your body with nutrients from wholesome, natural foods. Simple nutritious food is best – fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, tofu, or low fat dairy, eggs, fish and skinless chicken.

If your adrenals are feeling a bit worn, B vitamins, especially pyridoxine (B6) and pantothenic acid (B5) can help along with vitamin C and bioflavonoids, calcium and magnesium, potassium and zinc. Essential fats from cold-water fish like salmon, tuna, trout or from flax seeds (1 – 2 Tbs. per day) can help keep you calm and bolster immunity.

Eat tryptophan rich dairy, turkey, chicken, most finfish, soy and other beans, and nuts (esp. almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, pumpkin and sesame seeds). Tryptophan is a powerful calmative and a component in the production of serotonin and melatonin. The herb griffonia simplicifolia (available in health food stores) contains a tryptophan precursor called 5-HTP. Both tryptophan and 5-HTP can help relieve anxiety, depression and insomnia.

Try herbal and floral remedies. If you are feeling very nervous the herbs chamomile, passionflower, kava kava and valerian can help you relax and sleep more soundly. Adaptogenic herbs like ginseng, schizandra, gota cola, aralia, golden root, licorice root suma, ashwagandha and astagalus have been shown in scientific studies to help the body to adapt to stress. Bach flower remedies are wonderful. Find Rescue Remedy (also called Calming Essence) in a health food store. Find there too, homeopathic formulas called Letting Go, which are designed to help you deal with stress, grief, tension, the blues or what have you. Take a warm aromatherapy bath using a few drops each of essential oils of rosemary, chamomile, marjoram, and lavender to lift your spirits and relieve anxiety.

Get adequate sleep. Turn in earlier and take a break from a stressful world. Sleep restores us and allows us to stay strong in the face of adversity.

Get a massage. When under stress we reflexively tense our muscles. Take a warm bath or shower and then get some bodywork to help loosen up the knots.

Keep a journal. Write down your feelings and thoughts. This way we discharge the things that may be eating at us. Studies have shown that people who write down their concerns process them more effectively than those who let them swirl around endlessly in their heads.

Stay connected. Keep up your social contacts. Talk things out with a friend or counselor. Or join a support group. Don’t let your fears and anxieties stay inside and fester. Open up and let go.

Start to laugh again. We all know that laughter is powerful medicine. The late Norm Cousins, long time editor of Saturday Review Magazine helped heal a painful spinal condition and later a seriously damaged heart with the power inherent in laughter. He did the world a great service when he chronicled his phenomenal results in a series of books including, The Anatomy of an Illness, The Healing Heart and Head First: The Biology of Hope. Please go to a funny movie or play or to a comedy club and let the laughter ring out. Laughter neutralizes our stress hormones, oxygenates our tissues and helps us release endorphins, which will keep us calm in the days ahead.

Practice meditative breathing regularly. If you are feeling tense, overwhelmed, anxious, fatigued or depressed, be still and just breathe. Through deep abdominal breathing as taught in the ancient science of Yoga, we calm our nervous system, our heart rate slows, the muscles unwind, the blood pressure drops and we feel better physically and psychologically. Through breath we come back center and cultivate a deep inner peace no matter what is going on around us. We can then radiate that calm out to others. This is a tremendous gift you can give yourself and in turn to a world so badly in need of peace these days.

Trust in the Higher Power. Remember, that while we live with the uncertainty of man-made events, still there is an order in the universe and the sun rises and sets daily according to that order. We have to continue to believe in something much bigger, more intelligent and more loving than our own little minds and hearts. And believing, we should pray day and night that justice, peace and harmony prevail.

Note: The information provided herein is for educational purposes only and is not meant to replace the advice of your health care professional. Herbs and aromatherapy oils can cause allergic reactions in some people, so please exercise caution. If pregnant or nursing, please consult your health provider before using supplements, herbs or aromatherapy oils.