Suffering from Referendumitis??

Are you:

• Suffering from sleepless nights?
  
• Constantly glued to the News/Facebook/ Twitter etc?
  
• Anxiously waiting for the next opinion poll?
  
• Furious and frustrated at how some people (usually those with a different belief than you) can be ‘so stupid, foolhardy/scaremongering/ brainwashed’?
  
• Frightened to speak up about your own beliefs for fear of being intimidated?
  
• Troubled by the sight of friends/neighbours/ family at loggerheads?
  
  

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If you answer yes to 2 or more of these, and live in Scotland or have close links to this amazing country, then you could well be suffering from Referendumitis, an acute stress-related condition, which together with other sources of chronic stress, can lead to digestive discomfort and low mood issues, acerbate skin conditions, trigger weight gain, reduce our immune system’s ability to fight off infection and even increase risk of heart attacks and strokes.

To help manage Referendumitis and/or chronic stress, try some of these tips, or alternatively come and see me for a consultation at Napiers Clinic:

1. Avoid sugary processed foods (cakes, biscuits, sweets and crisps) – although these are comforting foods, they disrupt blood sugar balance and put even more stress on the body. Try fruits, nuts and seeds instead.
   
   
2. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables – these are full of fantastic nutrients (such as vitamins C and E, B vits, magnesium and zinc) that help the body combat stress and support the immune system and digestive health. Especially good ones are spinach and other green leafy veg, avocados, red peppers, kiwi fruits and oranges.
   
   
3. Choose wholegrain carbohydrates instead of white processed ones (porridge/ muesli instead of sugary cereals and wholemeal instead of white bread), not only do they provide a steady supply of energy throughout the day, but are also full of B vits and other nutrients important for stress.
   
   
4. Drink green tea – it’s full of L-theanine, a protein that helps the body manage stress. Or try an L-theanine supplement (eg Viridian’s L-theanine and Lemon Balm) for feelings of ‘alert calmness’.
   
   
5. Switch off the TV/computer/smartphone and instead listen to your favourite music, go for a walk/run, or relax in an Epsom Salts bath – our grannies where right, they really are fantastic at relieving stress and supporting sleep.