How to Maintain Mental Balance

Prices are rising all around us. You might be prone to a winter slump or the events of the past year may have taken a toll. Many people will need to adjust to new circumstances in some way this winter. This can bring a lot of unrest and stress. So how do you maintain mental balance during these turbulent times?

How Does a Stress Response Work?

Our stress response is still the same as that of early humans. Back then, it was very useful that when we were in danger, the production of hormones (such as adrenaline and cortisol) allowed us to quickly run away from danger. This stress response was often short-lived. After that, the body could recover. Today, the dangers are not always as great, but they do persist longer, which means this very useful system can get in our way. Stress often becomes chronic. People constantly experience a sense of unrest and tension. This also means a continuous production of hormones like cortisol, which over time can disrupt our HPA axis. The HPA axis is part of our stress system and consists of the hypothalamus (the brain's control centre), the pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands. The hypothalamus releases the stress hormone CRF, which signals the pituitary gland to secrete ACTH, an adrenal-stimulating hormone. ACTH causes the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. When the HPA axis is out of balance, the body can no longer respond to stress properly. This affects, for example, the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections, and your energy balance, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

A Good Foundation

Chronic stress can bring unpleasant symptoms, such as severe fatigue, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, tense muscles, poor concentration, and reduced ability to function in daily life. You feel out of balance. But how do you restore that balance? A good foundation is essential. Think of healthy nutrition, sufficient exercise (preferably in nature), a good night's sleep, and relaxation. Herbs and plants can also contribute to your mood.

Adaptogens

Herbs and plants with adaptogenic properties, such as rhodiola and ashwagandha, can provide support during stressful times. Adaptogens help the body become more resilient to stress and adapt more easily to changing circumstances (adaptation). They also lower CRH and cortisol levels, helping to normalise the body's stress response.

Rhodiola or Ashwagandha?

Rhodiola is a mountain plant that grows in places like East Siberia, Iceland, and China, and has been part of traditional medicine there for years. It helps the body and mind relax. We recommend taking rhodiola in the morning, as it is also good for memory and contributes to normal mental performance. Does your body need more rest? Then ashwagandha is a good choice. This herb is widely used in Ayurveda (Indian medicine). It is beneficial for maintaining good mental balance during stress and tension and has a calming and relaxing effect. This makes it pleasant to take ashwagandha in the evening.

Feel Happy Again

Your mood can also suffer significantly due to chronic stress. This is related to a decrease in the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. Neurotransmitters are also known as messenger substances because they transmit information from one cell to another. The body needs cofactors to produce neurotransmitters and hormones. These include various vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, zinc, and magnesium. During stress, many of these cofactors are used for the production of adrenaline, resulting in less dopamine and serotonin being produced. To positively influence your mood, saffron can be helpful as it increases dopamine and serotonin levels. Saffron is a spice derived from the saffron crocus and is not only essential in various cuisines but also contains active compounds, lepticrosalides (such as safranal, crocin, and picrocrocin), which contribute to a positive mood.

Natural (Night) Calmer

In addition to vitamins and minerals, amino acids play an important role in various neurotransmitter systems. For instance, L-theanine promotes the production of dopamine and serotonin, among others. This amino acid is extracted from green tea. Green tea is a natural calmer, has a beneficial effect on sleep function, and helps with mental pressure and exertion. Create a relaxing tea moment for yourself or take an L-theanine supplement if you need more. An L-theanine extract is much more concentrated than drinking a cup of green tea and contains almost no caffeine.

Now more than ever, it is important to take good care of yourself to remain mentally balanced. This begins with a healthy lifestyle and can be supported with supplements. Curious which ones suit you best? Get personal advice from our orthomolecular specialists in-store or online via chat.

Author: Nicole Langedijk