Healthy Ways To Support Your Body’s Response to Stress

Stress prevention has surpassed weight management as the top American health concern, according to newly released results from a nationally representative survey (1). Additional findings highlight a substantial increase in the self-reported importance of emotional wellbeing as a component of health and wellness. 

While perhaps more abstract than losing inches or ensuring adequate nutritional intake, handling stress and supporting mental health is important. Unfortunately, these issues are inherently complicated and may require more complex support mechanisms. Furthermore, many variables may simply be out of our control. Yet, there are several ways we can all help address these issues and better support our overall health. 

Sleep 

Getting better sleep is one easy way to improve your wellbeing. Noted in the report, 32% of surveyed households were getting less sleep than they’d like four or more days per week! In contrast, just 20% reported getting as much sleep as they like every day.  

It is well known that sleep deprivation can negatively affect health, including promoting weight gain. This could be due to changes in metabolism and hormone profiles (2) as well as increased appetite and hunger (3). Many individuals may even stress eat late at night, which, depending on the type of food, can negatively impact how the body handles food metabolically (4). 

Clearly, supporting better sleep is a must. You can rest easy with the tips in this article. 

Intermittent fasting 

Beyond sleep, there are other important variables under your control, including providing your body with high–quality nutrition. Interestingly, more Americans than ever are following a specific diet program, according to the International Food Information Council’s recent annual Food & Health Survey (5).   

The leading diet followed is intermittent fasting, well above other diets, such as the ketogenic and “clean eating” diets. While weight loss was still important to those surveyed, other top reasons for using an intermittent fasting approach were a desire to feel better, increase energy levels, and maintain body weight and long-term health. In fact, the study noted the majority of those surveyed, “say the emphasis they place on their overall health when making decisions about what to eat and drink has increased [compared to 2019], surpassing the emphasis placed simply on one’s weight.”  

This is notable and highlights how more individuals are considering overall long-term health. Often when one follows an overall healthy lifestyle, other areas like weight loss and energy levels improve. Intermittent fasting, when coupled with a nutritious diet, can be especially impactful in supporting health.  

Ordinary fasting can be tough and may leave you feeling deprived or low on energy. Isagenix builds on the science behind intermittent fasting by offering nutritional support through Cleanse for Life® and other Cleanse Day support tools. To plan your perfect Cleanse Day, read this article! 

While there are many more ways to support stress, resting your body and mind and supplying the best nutrition is a great place to start. 

References 

1. https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Events/Unlocking-Innovation-Webinar-Series-2020/Navigating-the-New-Normal-New-Product-Development-and-Consumer-Needs-During-Post-COVID-19 
2. Spiegel K, Leproult R & Van Cauter E. Impact of sleep debt on metabolic and endocrine function. Lancet. 1999 Oct 23; 354(9188):1435-9. 
3. Spiegel K, Tasali E & Penev P, et al. Brief communication: sleep curtailment in healthy young men is associated with decreased leptin levels, elevated ghrelin levels, and increased hunger and appetite. Ann Intern Med. 2004 Dec 7; 141(11):846-50. 
4. Grandner MA, Kripke DF & Naidoo N. Relationships among dietary nutrients and subjective sleep, objective sleep, and napping in women. Sleep Med. 2010 Feb; 11(2):180-4. 
5. https://foodinsight.org/2020-food-and-health-survey/ 

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