What is stress? I'm convinced it has a different definition for each of us. The basic explanation says that stress is a general term used for any environmental factor (trauma, emotions, cold, heat, etc.) capable of causing a state of tension and an alarm reaction in humans and animals, sometimes leading to serious illnesses.

Now that I understand that, in its basic sense, stress cannot be positive, it's time to discuss what makes stress INVISIBLE in a woman's body.

Yes, you read that correctly - INVISIBLE. I think there's no need to discuss external stress factors like pollution, wind, cold, a busy schedule, or habits like rubbing/touching one's face, fatigue, or excessive physical labor. Stress isn't just a state of nervousness, a demanding job, or countless household chores. I'm convinced that every Biotiful woman successfully identifies these and makes every effort to combat them in a healthy way.

Internal triggers are also a significant source of stress for the body. I'd like to analyze the most important ones that we can successfully eliminate starting tomorrow:

You don't eat enough!

Yes, diet, incorrectly practiced intermittent fasting, and insufficient food intake (not to mention nutrients and caloric intake) wreak havoc on a tired body.

You have a very carbohydrate-rich diet

No, carbohydrates aren't just white bread and pretzels. Many women claim they eat healthily, but when I analyze their food diaries, I find that 80% of their meals have an extremely high carbohydrate intake.

Sudden sugar intake

Blood glucose fluctuations are also an internal stress factor. Every large dose of sugar entering the body causes a spike, which puts the body in a state of overstimulation.

You can view this as an adrenaline rush – although beneficial in the moment, it is actually extremely damaging to the body. The body's recovery after a state of excitement is very demanding. The same thing happens to your body after sugar spikes – here we include all carbonated drinks, processed sweets, chocolate, biscuits, bars, etc.

Excess Omega 6 fats

I have extensively discussed this topic over the years, especially in the SKIN DIET 1 program. Omega 6 creates major oxidative stress for the body. Even if you don't think you consume them directly, they are present in most dishes and foods that we easily access daily. Low-quality vegetable oils are widespread. If your daily menu consists of orders from delivery apps and supermarket junk food, regardless of whether it says "organic" on the label, you can be sure that they come with an intake of unhealthy fats. 

The main risk with these foods or preparations comes from manufacturers' desire to save money. The fats used, sunflower oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, are among the cheapest options available. An organic sunflower oil doesn't change much; it has the same Omega 6 content. Invest in foods and preparations with quality fats and avoid everything that contains unhealthy fats. 

Undiscovered food intolerances or sensitivities caused by overexposure or overconsumption of certain foods

Imagine what an undiscovered intolerance means for our body. Basically, we ingest something that our body struggles to reject, wants to fight against, and wants to eliminate, thereby causing inflammation and stress.

I will never tell you to give up life's pleasures: gluten, dairy, etc. (if these are pleasures for you - I strongly believe we can replace them and educate our tastes if we weren't lucky enough to be educated in this regard from an early age). But I will tell you CLEARLY to stop consuming them morning, noon, and night.

I have nothing against moments of indulgence, small joys, but everything must be done in moderation. It is not possible for every meal to be a cheat meal. 

An uncared-for microbiome & dysbiosis

EVERYTHING starts in the gut. An uncared-for microbiome or dysbiosis are causes that trigger a high level of stress in the body. If your microbiome is healthy, it will ensure that the entire organism functions correctly – absorption will be good, and the immune response will be quick.

The best support for your microbiome is food. Nourish yourself; you have so many fermented recipe ideas in the Nontoxic Cooking Club. Next time you go to the store, put goat kefir in your cart. It's not hard; you just need to care!

Toxic personal care products, indoor pollution caused by cleaning products, outdoor pollution, detergents, cooking utensils

The chapter on stress caused by substances absorbed through the skin and respiratory tract from care, beauty, or cleaning products is extremely vast. I have spent years discussing their negative impact on health and have provided you with numerous non-toxic alternatives here, on Biotiful Brands, across all categories!

Traumas

How many times have you canceled therapy sessions to meet up with your ex-boyfriend, with the girls for a gin, or in the name of the latest episode of your favorite Netflix series? All these factors severely stress the thyroid gland – your power system starts to malfunction optimally and seeks help from the adrenal glands. These are the core support for the thyroid gland, but they also have a limited battery that you can use. It depends on us how much we push it.

We have become accustomed to the idea that, as long as we don't clearly see a major stress factor around us, we can exploit our organism endlessly. That's when the power off button intervenes. Unfortunately, few consider that it exists, so they constantly treat the effects of pressing this button, not the cause of its activation.

What can you do every day, starting tomorrow?

Give up a creamy cappuccino or a coffee with milk in favor of dandelion root tea.

By supporting your liver, you support your thyroid gland. The liver metabolizes hormones and filters toxins. Thyroid hormones most affect the liver cells responsible for detoxification. Imbalance in liver function will affect both thyroid function and the body's detoxification mechanisms.

Include more healthy fats in your diet

No restaurant will cook stir-fried vegetables with ghee for you, nor will they bake an omelet in olive oil. You are responsible for incorporating healthy fats into your diet.

Replace your morning croissant made with vegetable fats with a slice of sourdough bread and quality butter from well-raised cows.

Add a slice of egg and a slice of zucchini to the pan. A consistent and efficient breakfast doesn't have to be complicated, just intelligently chosen.

Eat dessert after your meal, but choose to do it for the experience

No longer use desserts to feed an addiction. Don't choose starchy and sweet snacks. You can opt for a tablespoon of unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a glass of water before a meal if you feel it will be impossible to avoid something sweet, and go for a 15-minute walk afterward.

For over 6 years, I've been talking about the benefits of non-toxic beauty and how important it is not to pay the price of beauty with health. Biotiful Atelier is available for professional beauty services, and Biotiful Brands for beauty and lifestyle products.

Give yourself time

Healing takes time. Whether we're talking about trauma, depressive states, anxiety, burnout, chronic fatigue, healing with a therapist or through your own means must be intelligently supported by lifestyle, diet, nutrition, exercise, hydration, and sleep, and it requires time.

Include nutraceuticals in your routine

Anti-Stress Diet is a formula based on over 30 research studies in the field of stress and its management. I have combined adaptogens like Rhodiola Rosea and Ashwagandha which offer colossal support to the body to cope with internal stress. These are accompanied by an intelligently dosed B-complex that works excellently in our favor, along with amino acids – the core of these nutraceuticals – L-glycine – the pacifist amino acid, L-tyrosine – the good mood amino acid, and L-theanine – the anxiety amino acid.

You can find it here:

Discover the science behind Anti-Stress Diet in the informative Ebook available here.

Under certain conditions and at certain times, stress can be positive. However, when it involves inflammation, unnecessary overworking of the body's engines, wear and tear, and imbalance of internal processes, it must be eliminated. Do this starting tomorrow, through your daily choices. 

It's not that hard! 

Love, Angelina