In Chinese Medicine, it
is said that the Jing, or Essence, is the physical manifestation of Qi (Vital
Energy). Based on this principle, it is essential to have a strong physical
foundation in order to sustain good energy levels, emotional stability, and mental
clarity. So, effective stress management MUST start with building a strong body
that can function harmoniously in any situation.
Water
- The Foundation of Life
Adequate water intake
is absolutely essential if you want to be less stressed out. It is almost too
simple, but it can go a long way towards helping you feel better.
Why? Water is the
fundamental element of life on this planet. Every single physiological process
in your body depends on the presence of water. That is why your body is over
70% water.
We are literally
walking oceans, teeming with life, with a complex and intricate ecosystem that
needs water to survive and thrive.
Because water is so
essential to life, when you don't have enough of it, your cells are literally
stressed. Think about how it feels when you are breathing in exhaust from a
truck, or when you are coughing and have difficulty breathing.
When you are
chronically dehydrated, your cells are constantly undernourished and looking
for nutrients. Simply put, this creates a lot of stress for your body.
And, when your cells
are stressed out, so are you. It's that simple. Cellular stress is reflected as
the imbalance in your adrenals, testosterone, serotonin, ATP, insulin,
cortisol, and every other biochemical substance that regulates your body.
Or, in more direct
terms: Your virility, energy, mood, and metabolism all suffer when you don't
drink enough water.
My baseline
recommendation is a minimum of 8 to 10 glasses of filtered/RO water daily. For
example: Drink 2 when you first get up, 2 by lunchtime, 2 more by dinnertime,
and 2 more before bed. It's that simple.
Spare
the Caffeine
That cup of coffee sure
feels good and so does that Coke at lunch. But what it does to your stress
levels is another story. Let me explain how it affects your stress levels and
hopefully, you will see that too much coffee or caffeine is one of the best
ways to ensure you have more stress than you need.
Caffeine causes your
adrenal glands, to secrete stress hormones. These stress hormones wake you up
by raising your blood pressure to bring more blood to the brain, and by
releasing stored sugar into your blood, giving you a rush of energy.
But, higher blood pressure
and elevated blood sugar are not good for you. In moderation, caffeine can be
useful and has some documented benefits. Unfortunately, most of us are far from
moderate in our caffeine use.
Drinking caffeine is
like consuming liquid stress. Doesn't life provide enough stress as it is? I
don't advocate anything too extreme, so of course if you just like to have that
morning coffee, please do so. But, try decaf or half-caf for a little while,
and see if you notice your moods leveling out, your energy picking up, and your
mental clarity increasing. Moderation is the key.
Build
a Stronger Body and You Will Build a Better Life
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