Fitness & Healthy Eating: Your First Priorities During Stressful Times<dataavatar hidden data-avatar-url=https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/781eb70c16cbbc9225cf7f7179e85e5e?s=96&d=mm&r=g></dataavatar>

Stress. We all have it and are well aware of the havoc it wreaks on our health. There are several things we can do to remove stress from our daily lives. But what about the times when you can’t control it? How do you work through and mitigate stress’ impact on your health as much as possible?

Without a doubt, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is your best defense against the negative impacts of stress.

2 Important Considerations: Cortisol and Caution

• Cortisol: During stress cortisol is the steroid hormone that is released in the “fight or flight” reflex. But the body also views exercise as a form of stress, typically a good stress.  So, if the body participates in a regular fitness regimen, the body releases lower levels of cortisol during both fitness and periods of stress. In theory, a fit person should be able to handle periods of stress with less difficulty than a non or less active person.  But here is the link to Caution!
• Caution: It is important to adapt your fitness program when you are experiencing stress. Due to external factors your physical strength and endurance can decline. A good personal trainer will keep an eye on this and adapt your programme, so you don’t overload yourself, cause injury, or either physical or mental breakdown.

I’m currently working through the most difficult and stressful period of my life.  And without a doubt, my physical and mental health has been supported by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

I recently lost my mother after a sudden and unexpected fight with terminal illness. When we learned of her illness, everything in my life changed swiftly.  I relocated my family internationally, terminated my business in the Netherlands, purchased a new home, enrolled and supported my children in a new school, and supported my grieving father. All of this was done functioning as a single parent, with my spouse completing his work overseas. Many of life’s most stressful and uncontrollable events occurred all at once. Good thing I had adapted to Netherlands weather by this time, because boy when it rains it pours.

Supporting my mother during the final weeks of her life was the most difficult time. Very quickly I began experiencing several symptoms of stress including insomnia, digestion issues, panic, anxiety, weight loss, brain fog and muscle tension. Somehow in the fog I knew I needed to maintain my fitness and nutrition regimen. I knew I couldn’t get through this period if I didn’t look after myself.  I have (as they say) been putting my oxygen mask on first.

So how did I do it?  I am certain it would not have been possible without the undying support of family and friends. And my regimen certainly didn’t look like it did a mere month earlier.  But I did what I could. I ate as nutritiously and wholly as possible from a hospital room. I cut out sugar. Three times a week I managed a trip to the local gym, or I went for a run.  When I could get mom out of bed, I took her out to the garden, so she could watch me practice yoga.  When we couldn’t get out to the garden, I rolled out my mat right beside her bed.  Not only was yoga good for my body and mind, but it seemed to soothe hers through me.

Not only was that time in the gym good for my physical health, but I realize now how important it was to find mindfulness in the fitness experience.  My head would empty rather than worry.  For that 1 hour I could focus on breathing, my form, and really my strength and power.

I’m not some magic woman.  This process is still unfolding for me.  Stress and grief symptoms continue to rear their ugly head. But I continue down this grieving path supported by my family and friends, my fitness passion, and the desire to find mindfulness in what the day brings me.