What You Should Know About Nutrition

Here are more specific tips to finding a diet that will sustain your body in stressful times, and contribute to a sense of peace and wellness:

• Eat a diet composed of 50 to 75 percent raw foods. Free fruits and vegetables not only supply valuable vitamins and minerals, but are rich in compounds called flavonoids: flavonoids seek out and neutralize the dangerous free radicals in your body.
• Avoid processed foods and all foods that create stress on the system, such as artificial sweeteners, carbonated soft drinks, chocolate, eggs, fried foods, junk foods, pork, meat, sugar, white flour products, foods containing preservatives or heavy spices, and chips and similar snack foods.
• Eliminate dairy products from your diet for three weeks. Then reintroduce them slowly–and watch for returning symptoms of your “nervous” condition.
• Limit your intake of caffeine. Caffeine contributes to nervousness and disrupts natural sleep patterns.
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and mood-altering drugs. While these substances may offer temporary relief from stress, they do nothing to really address the problem and they are harmful to your health. The stress will still be there the next day.
• Follow a monthly fasting program. Be sure to consult with your physician before starting a fasting or exercise program.

Vitamins
Vitamins are crucial, supplements will really make you feel better right away. B-vitamins can enhance your energy and vitality, and other supplements can help your body fight stress every day.

If you try some of the supplements, you may be amazed at how well they support your physical and mental equilibrium: experiment to see what is best for you. Every body is different, and we all respond in a unique way to what we put it our bodies.

Herbs
Herbal Remedies can be useful, natural ways to relieve stress.
• Bilberry prevents destruction, mutation and premature death of cells throughout the body.
• Ginkgo Biloba aids in proper brain function and good circulation
• Milk thistle cleanses and protects the liver antioxidants properties.
• Many plants produce their own antioxidants they use as protection against environmental stress. Herbs tend to protect specific parts of the body, because of their strong antioxidant properties: they also have important influences on other parts of the body. For a robust anti-stress tonic, mix 1/2 teaspoon of a of the herbs listed below and steep in 2 cups of almost distilled water, or use alcohol-free extracts mixed in
• Catnip is an effective anti-stress herb that also promotes drowsiness for a sounder sleep.
• Chamomile is a gentle relaxant. It is good for nerve soothing to the digestive tract, and aids you in attaining a pleasant sleep. Caution: Do not use this on an ongoing basis, and avoid it completely if you are allergic to ragweed.
• Dong Quai, Rehmannia, and Schizandra support nerves, adrenal glands and the central nervous system. These organs are among the most susceptible to the effects of stress,
• Hops helps to ease nervousness and restlessness: it also decreases the desire for alcohol.
• Kava Kava relaxes the mind as well as the entire body.
• Passionflower is calming, and is a potent addition to the anti-stress formula.
• Polygala root and sour Jujube seed are powerful Chinese herbs known to soothe and calm the spirit.
• Skullcap is good for nervous disorders: It also relieves headaches and aids sleep.
• Valerian keeps the nervous system from being overwhelmed: it also is a powerful sleep aid when taken at bedtime, and helps to ease stress-related headaches.