Stress, something everyone has experienced. Without surprise, it seems as if our collective stress levels have seemed to hit an all-time high throughout this past year. While stress seems like an inevitable, natural response in our everyday lives at this point, it is important to know that it is actually wreaking havoc on your overall health and wellness.  In honor of April being Stress Awareness Month, Dr. Vikki Petersen, Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Chiropractor and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, highlights the detrimental effects that stress can have on our overall health and wellbeing.

Stress Causes a Major Imbalance
You may have heard about your “fight or flight” nervous system – they are the same. While being in fight or flight is great for adrenaline and alertness, if it is activated chronically thanks to stress you miss out on the ability to rest (sleep well), digest and repair your body, the job of the parasympathetic nervous system. 

Stress Inhibits Melatonin Production
When you are under stress you likely feel more fatigued and need a good night’s sleep. Stress hormones inhibit the body’s ability to produce melatonin, the sleep hormone) and get the good night’s sleep you so desperately need.

Under Stress, Your Body Eats Up More B Vitamins and Nutrients
Stress begets more stress. When the body depletes the nutrients it needs, this deficit causes the body to crave a “quick fix” and you find yourself reaching for sugar, refined carbohydrates and caffeine, all “empty” calories that perpetuate your cravings, aggravate stress even more and cause weight gain.