STRESS AND THE WORKING WOMAN

WITH SYLVIA UBELL FROM two farm kids NATURAL FOODS

I have been well-acquainted with stress for the last forty years; eight as a high school teacher and the last thirty-two running our family business while raising three children. Working late into the night becomes habitual as we struggle to meet the demands of work and home and running your own business means you are never away from stress for long.

When you are struggling to fi nd enough time in the day and you can’t get enough quality sleep, there is help. Vitamin B Complex is nicknamed “the stress vitamin” and the newest form is co-enzymated for highest absorption. B Complex Vitamins should be taken early in the day as they increase alertness. Because the immune system takes a hit from chronic stress, I am a big advocate of non-acidic Vitamin C and Vitamin D as well as the minerals zinc and magnesium. I have found the Stress-Relax line of supplements benefi cial as they have eff ective quality ingredients like 5-HTP, a form of the amino acid, tryptophan, which can help REM sleep, chewable GABA, a fast acting form of an amino acid that works as a serotonin precursor for chronic stress, chewable L’Theanine, another amino acid for relaxing and sublingual melatonin to help get to sleep.

Taking it easy on caff eine will make it easier to unwind at night. I suggest limiting coff ee and black tea to one cup at breakfast if you are having sleep issues, and trying nonstimulating herbal teas the rest of the day. Herbal teas for relaxing include lavender, chamomile, hops and valerian. Rooibos, or African red bush tea is calming and unlike coff ee and black tea, it does not inhibit iron absorption which is so important for many women.

Small rituals like a fi fteen minute warm bath with Epsom Salts and a few drops of a relaxing aromatherapy oil such as lavender, rosemary, or sandalwood before bed or a few drops of a relaxing oil on a tissue tucked into your pillowcase can help sett le you down. I use an amazing litt le sleep mask fi lled with lavender blossoms to shut out all annoying light at night. Taking a few “Me Moments” regularly will help you cope with the pressures of business life. 

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