Stress & mood
Managing your stress & mood
Stress is not the preserve of the overworked, as often thought. Factors such as underachieving, health worries, frequent travel, mental health, the general ‘juggling’ of parenting, over- or under-exercising and sub-optimal nutrition can also create stress in the body. This can lead your body to adopt a ‘fight-or-flight’ response: triggering the release of stress hormones such as Cortisol and Adrenaline, which can affect our digestion, nervous system, blood pressure, hormones, brain function and more. Left unchecked, stress can manifest in sleep issues, poor immunity, hormonal imbalance and accelerated ageing - however, even those of us without significant stress can still be in need of mood support, in order to feel like the best version of ourselves. Whatever the reason for stress or low mood, following sound nutritional advice - in addition to supporting your body with the right nutrients - can improve how well your body responds to it. After all, you can’t always eliminate stress entirely - but with the right tools, you can manage it.
OUR SUPPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Your Stress & Mood Essentials
"My absolute would never be without are KSM-66 Ashwagandha Plus (Happiness in a jar), Magnesium x2 before I go to sleep each night, Pure Strength Omega 3 every morning along with the Balance Multi Nutrient."
Niki Perry. Founder, Blessed Yoga. Mother of 3.
Customer stories
I have always struggled with anxiety, whether as a result of work-related stress or key events in my life. But worse than the emotional symptoms were the physical ones: panic attacks, irregular periods and breakouts which, in turn, drastically affected my mood. It was a vicious cycle. I contacted Wild Nutrition, who prescribed a plan, as well as carefully selected supplements to help manage my stress levels - and within one month, I felt noticeably more balanced. However, it was the genuine care, professionalism and support of my nutritionist that encouraged me to make this my new way of life - her support really did go above and beyond. Today, I feel better equipped to manage my stress and mood - and my anxiety has improved significantly. I can honestly say that I feel like a different person.
Q: My job is highly demanding and takes a lot out of me. What will help to manage my stress?
A challenging job or busy lifestyle often goes hand in hand with high levels of Cortisol, which can be incredibly inflammatory. In order to calm inflammation and alleviate symptoms of stress, it is important to ensure your nutrient reserves are well topped up. Supplementing with our Food-Grown Magnesium and our Food-Grown Vitamin C & Bioflavonoids will replenish these vital stores, while providing your body with the support it needs. Our KSM-66 Ashwagandha Plus is also proven to lower cortisol, and can help to promote a more peaceful disposition and relief from anxiety. Otherwise, simple breathing techniques can help you to find a moment of calm in times of need, as can regular exercise and time spent in nature: both of which have been proven to reduce stress. A busy lifestyle in combination with stress can also create nutrient gaps - so do consider our multi vitamins and minerals.
Q: I am a vegetarian/vegan – what can I take to support my mood?
If you are concerned about low mood, taking a fresh look at your diet can help: however, vegetarians and vegans need to be especially mindful. Choline can be low in vegetarian diets, and almost non-existent in vegan diets – yet it plays a key role in mood and mental health. You can find optimal levels in our multi vitamins and minerals and cognitive products, such as our Food-Grown Energy Support. Zinc, Iron and other B Vitamins (especially methylated B Vitamins, which are found in higher quantities in meat and fish) can also be low in these diets, and should therefore also be supplemented, as they are crucial for optimising brain function. Vitamin B12 is widely known to benefit brain health, and cannot be obtained from a vegan diet. Vitamin D is also difficult to come by in a vegetarian and vegan diet . Finally, unless you are eating two portions of oily fish per week, supplementing with a fish oil or using a vegan Omega 3 oil, you are going to be low in Omega 3. Pescatarians can take our Pure Strength Omega 3, which is derived from fish gelatine rather than pork or beef.
Q: My skin is the first thing to suffer when I’m stressed. How can I manage dryness and sensitivity?
Skin and stress are inexplicably linked - and high levels of Cortisol can cause increased inflammation and hormonal imbalance, while draining us of nutrients: leading to breakouts, irritation or a complexion that looks dull, lacklustre or a little under par. However, our appearance can also have a profound psychological impact on our confidence - so it’s important to get on top of stress before it gets out of control. Hyaluronic acid is an excellent hydrator, and helps the skin to retain moisture and elasticity (this is especially important from our late Forties, when Hyaluronic Acid production can start to dip), while our Antoxidants protects against inflammation-causing free radicals. Essential fatty acids, such as those in our Pure Strength Omega 3 will provide much-needed moisture for skin that feels excessively dry and uncomfortable, in addition to our Food-Grown Zinc Plus, which promotes cell growth and healing while controlling outbreaks. For everyday skin support, try our Complete Beauty, which contains therapeutic herbs and minerals to maintain an inner and outer glow. Very dry skin, or a noticeable increase in hair loss (on the head or the eyebrows), can point to a thyroid that is under-active (Hypothyroid). - but do also speak to your GP. If your complexion appears washed out or unusually pale, you may be deficient in Iron - so get your levels checked and supplement with our Food-Grown Iron Plus. If you need more support for your skin, our nutrition team would be happy to help.
Q: My job is highly demanding and takes a lot out of me. What will help to manage my stress?
A challenging job or busy lifestyle often goes hand in hand with high levels of Cortisol, which can be incredibly inflammatory. In order to calm inflammation and alleviate symptoms of stress, it is important to ensure your nutrient reserves are well topped up. Supplementing with our Food-Grown Magnesium, our Energy Support and our Food-Grown Vitamin C & Bioflavonoids will replenish these vital stores, while providing your body with the support it needs. Our KSM-66 Ashwagandha Plus is also proven to lower cortisol, and can help to promote a more peaceful disposition and relief from anxiety. Otherwise, simple breathing techniques can help you to find a moment of calm in times of need, as can regular exercise and time spent in nature: both of which have been proven to reduce stress. A busy lifestyle in combination with stress can also create nutrient gaps - so do consider our multi vitamins and minerals.
Q: I sometimes feel low and my confidence suffers. How can I better support my mood?
Serotonin is key: after all, insufficient levels can affect our mood, self-esteem and even sleep. To produce Serotonin, the body needs adequate levels of specific nutrients such as Vitamin B6 and Magnesium – which is why we’ve included them in all of our mood-supporting complexes. In men, low mood and confidence can be a sign that testosterone levels are out of sync – and both our KSM-66 Ashwagandha Plus and our Food-Grown Zinc Plus enhance production of this important hormone, brightening both mood and increasing self-confidence.
Q: I have always struggled with anxiety - is there anything I can take to help?
Anxiety is a circular sense of worry that you cannot escape - so you need to focus on nutrients that will calm and soothe. Ashwagandha is a powerful remedy for anxiety and has been used as a rejuvenating tonic for over 5000 years: however, it is also renowned for its ability to support resilience to physiological and psychological stress. In fact, studies show that Ashwagandha mimics GABA (gamma-Aminobutyric acid) - a brain chemical that reduces symptoms of heightened anxiety and stress while supporting focus and relaxing the mind and body. Our KSM-66 Ashwagandha Plus can help you to feel more grounded, regulate your heart rate and breathing when you feel anxious, and even encourage your nervous system to switch to a calmer “Parasympathetic” state. You could also try our Food-Grown Magnesium before going to bed, which will ease tension and to promote a restful sleep.
