You Can't Control Everything...

Stress often comes from trying to control the uncontrollable.

So, next time stress creeps in, try this:

1️⃣ Notice you feel stressed.

Just pause and recognize what’s going on.

2️⃣ Ask: Is this inside or outside my control?

If it’s outside your control, try to let it go, but still move on to step 3.

3️⃣ Make a plan.

Choose a few things you CAN do (even if the actual stressor is outside your control).

✔ Can you go for a walk?

✔ Can you listen to music?

✔ Can you make a phone call?

✔ Can you research a solution?

Training your brain to respond to stress in a healthier way takes some practice, but it’s worth it.

Share this with a friend who can relate 💖

Stress Affecting Your Health?

Most doctors don’t ask about stress.

Because they don’t have any way to “treat” it.

While we also don’t “treat” stress as a disease, we have a deep functional medicine toolkit to help your body become more resilient to stress.

If you suspect stress might be affecting your health—but aren’t sure where to start—here are some questions you could ask your practitioner👇

(Hint: you’ll get more helpful answers from a holistically minded practitioner 😉)

1️⃣ Do I need stress hormone testing?

Stress can disrupt cortisol and DHEA, leaving you feeling wired but tired, exhausted, or constantly on edge. Testing these hormones can show if you need extra support.

2️⃣ Could stress be affecting my gut?

The gut-brain connection is a two-way street. Stress can disrupt digestion, and poor gut health can make you less resilient to stress. Functional testing can uncover whether your gut needs targeted support.

3️⃣ What nutrients do I need when I’m stressed?

Stress burns through key nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins, and vitamin C, which can lead to brain fog, fatigue, and trouble sleeping. A practitioner trained in nutrition can help you figure out what your body needs.

4️⃣ Could stress be affecting my hormones?

Stress hormones interact with other hormonal systems and can worsen issues like PMS, cycle changes, mood swings, and blood sugar swings. A practitioner trained in functional medicine can help make sense of the bigger picture.

The point is:

Stress is not an isolated experience.

It affects your whole body.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive approach that looks at the WHOLE person, that’s what we do.

Schedule your first visit with Dr. Cantrell to begin your journey to wellness! 🌿

Myths You May Have Heard About Stress

Myths & Facts about Stress 👇

📍Myth 1: You just have to shift your mindset.

Stress is not just in your head—it’s in your body and nervous system. While mindset shifts can help, they will only stick if your body feels safe. Stress resilience comes with nourishing foods, breathwork, movement, and deep rest.

📍Myth 2: Intense exercise helps burn off stress.

Movement is amazing for releasing stress—just don’t overdo it. Intense workouts can worsen exhaustion from stress, especially if you’re already running on empty.

📍Myth 3: Coffee helps you power through stress.

Not everyone handles caffeine the same way. Too much can overstimulate your stress response and lead to burnout. If you’re relying on coffee to push through exhaustion, your body may be asking for real rest instead.

📍Myth 4: If you’re not anxious, you’re not stressed.

Stress can show up in all kinds of sneaky ways: things like low energy, brain fog, trouble concentrating, headaches, or digestive upset. Your mind is not necessarily the first place you’ll feel it.

📍Myth 5: Stress is always bad.

Stress is never fun, but it can be a driving force for personal growth and a motivation to take action on things you may otherwise ignore. Stressing that stress is bad will only make it worse.

🤔 Did you know that April is Stress Awareness Month?

Watch my posts for more on ways functional medicine can address stress.

And let me know in the comments:

Which of these myths have you been sucked into? ⤵️

#drelizabethcantrell #naturalmedicine #naturopath #naturopathicmedicine #functionalmedicine #functionalmedicinetesting #stressresilience #stresssupport #stressrelief #colga #columbusga

Nervous System Resilience

📣 This is important. 📣

Your nervous system is constantly responding to inputs.

Sometimes those inputs are regulating—like listening to calming music or going for a walk in nature.

Sometimes those inputs are dysregulating—like being yelled at or seeing fear-based news in your feed.

There are really 2 ways to go about regulating your nervous system:

1️⃣ One way is in the moment: When you notice you are triggered, take a moment to step away and take some deep breaths.

2️⃣ The other way is daily practice: Make it part of your routine to send signals of safety to your nervous system.

Some practices you could choose to do are:

✨ Deep breathing (this is one of the best ways to activate the vagus nerve and reset the nervous system)

✨ Mindful movement (you can shake, stretch, dance, or do anything that releases tension from the body)

✨ Intentional rest (meaning rest on purpose—not only when you’re completely exhausted)

If you commit to just ONE of these things and make it part of your routine, I promise that your nervous system will thank you.

Make sure you're following us to learn more about regulating your nervous system!

#elementsnatmed #nervoussystem #nervoussystemregulation #stressmanagement #nervoussystemhealing

For YOU: Tiny Habits to Stop Stress

In case you haven’t noticed…

Stress is not just an emotional experience. It can disrupt just about every aspect of our physical health as well—mainly because we have a physiologic response to stress no matter what the trigger. It can contribute to:

✖️ belly fat

✖️ trouble losing weight

✖️ period problems

✖️ blood sugar swings

✖️ sleep struggles

✖️ groggy mornings

✖️ digestive issues

But we have the power to stop stress in its tracks—every day and all day, with tiny habits. Like…

❣️ Pausing for 30 seconds to focus on your breath

❣️ Getting up from your desk for a 2-minute stretch break

❣️ Going for a walk around the block

❣️ Shaking out your arms, legs, and whole body

❣️ Snuggling or being intimate with a partner

❣️ Tapping around the eyes or under your collar bone

Here is your challenge:

Tap ❤️ to like this post and then pick one thing from that list and do it now!

#stresshormones #hormonehealthmatters #everythingsconnected #elementsnatmed