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Speed Up Success By Combating Stress

It's the most wonderful time of the year, says the song describing the holiday season, and while I would agree with the sentiment, I would also argue that is the most stressful time of the year. Once January 1st hits, I feel completely exhausted and somewhat unmotivated to do much of anything. It is not that I do not enjoy the holidays, but the hustle and bustle wears me out starting the day after Thanksgiving, and lasts clear through New Year's Day. The start of the new year leaves me with a "holiday hangover", and running on fumes.

Does this situation sound familiar to any of you? What's worse, is that we are trying to start fresh with new workouts, eating habits, and getting back into shape, but we are so exhausted we are not sure where to begin.

Obviously there are unavoidable stressors in each one of our lives. Things like jobs, relationships, and families are constantly pulling us in different directions. Things like a quick nap or a trip to the gym can provide us with an outlet and a remedy for lessening the effects of stress on our bodies.

There are also certain supplements that can help throughout the day by reducing stress related hormones, improving brain function and clarity of thinking, and helping us to get more restful sleep.

Additionally, there are certain nutritional factors that can influence how we feel and how we cope with stress both physically and mentally. As we get into the habits that will give us the physique we want in 2010 , it's crucial to keep certain things in mind such as post-workout nutrition and always eating breakfast that will speed up our results and prepare us for the successful workouts we need to have to accomplish our goals.

This is where Max Muscle can step in and help you get started with your New Year's resolutions. We offer supplements to enhance your natural energy, and supplements to help combat stress. Our certified nutritionists can steer you in the right direction to find the best supplement for your specific needs. Don't let holiday stress be the reason you put off your resolution to become the best you, you can be. Let Max Muscle be your first stop this January, and let the new you begin.

Yours in Health,
Heidi Case
heidi@maxmusclenebraska.com.

As Heidi mentioned exercise is a crucial part of keeping stress at bay in our lives. Research has shown that physical exercise is the best tension reliever. It is a very important remedy for stress. Nothing eases stress more than exercise. Exercise, when property done, gives your body time to operate in the efficiency mode.

Physically, exercise improves your cardiovascular functions by strengthening and enlarging the heart, causing greater elasticity of the blood vessels, increasing oxygen throughout your body.

Mentally, exercise provides an outlet for negative emotions such as frustration, anger, and irritability, thereby promoting a more positive mood and outlook. Exercise improves mood by producing positive biochemical changes in the body and brain. Regular exercise reduces the amount of adrenal hormones your body releases in response to stress. Also, with exercise, your body releases greater amounts of endorphins, the powerful, pain-relieving, mood-elevating chemicals in the brain.

Certain supplements can help us lower stress related hormones in the body that make it hard to concentrate and can even increase the ease with which we store body fat. Phosphatidylserine has been demonstrated to speed up recovery, prevent muscle soreness, improve well-being, and might possess ergogenic properties in athletes involved in cycling, weight training and endurance running. It has been reported to be an effective supplement for combating exercise-induced stress by blunting the exercise-induced increase in cortisol levels.

There are also certain supplements that can increase the quality of sleep that we get, even when it's only a few hours, leaving us more prepared for our day and our workouts. GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid is the most important and widespread inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Excitation in the brain must be balanced with inhibition. Too much excitation can lead to restlessness, irritability and insomnia. GABA is able to induce relaxation, analgesia, and sleep.

Other night-time supplements like melatonin can help control natural sleep cycles and promotes relaxation even in small amounts. Check out these supplements next time you're in a Max Muscle and start enjoying the benefits of a more stress free state of well-being.

- John Morin C.S.N.
john@maxmusclenebraska.com