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How to Take Charge of Stress and Get Relief from the Side Effects

The holiday season can be full of excitement and joy. It can also bring along additional stress and depression. Our bodies are designed to protect us from dangerous situations and our "fight or flight" mechanism can kick in when we’re stressed and cause a physical reaction. One way, along with exercise and a healthy diet, to cope with the effects of stress is by taking a supplement. Cooper Complete has a variety of supplements that can help you manage your stress and protect your body from these side effects.

Restless Sleep

We all know that stress can lead to restless nights—when your mind never turns off. Cooper Complete Melatonin-Quick Release or Melatonin-Prolonged Release can help you get the rest you need by helping you fall asleep and stay asleep. Melatonin is a hormone that plays a role in regulating the body’s natural wake/sleep cycle. It is a great alternative to taking habit-forming prescription sleep aids. The Quick Release formula is for those who need help falling asleep, while the Prolonged Release formula is for those who fall asleep without issue, but then find themselves awake (and unable to fall back to sleep) a couple of hours later.

Compromised Immune System

Stress can lead to a compromised immune system as it depletes essential nutrients. Vitamin D can help your immune system fight off viruses so you don’t get an infection. In a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, people with the worst vitamin D deficiency were 36 percent more likely to suffer respiratory infections than those with sufficient levels. Additionally, low levels of vitamin D are linked to depression. Vitamin D can be synthesized in the skin after just 15 minutes of sun exposure, twice per week, without sunscreen. Since it may be hard to achieve this in the winter months, Cooper Clinic recommends a minimum of 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 each day. This is the amount found in Cooper Complete multivitamins and Vitamin D3 dietary supplement (25 mcg; 1,000 IU per tablet). There is also a 1,000 IU tablet for those who need higher levels of supplementation to maintain optimum vitamin D levels.

Inflammation

Inflammation is another side effect of stress. Among other things, inflammation is linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Research shows that omega-3s reduce inflammation. If you don’t have fatty fish (such as salmon or trout) at least twice a week, consider supplementing with omega-3 fish oil. Cooper Complete Advanced Omega-3 supplement provides 1,400 mg of omega-3. An added bonus—omega 3 is also important for cognitive function. It might be just what you need to help you remember all those items on your holiday list.

Finally, consider adding a multivitamin to your regimen if you don’t already take one. In the hustle and bustle of the season your normal mealtimes may be disrupted. A multivitamin can ensure that your body is receiving the vitamins and minerals it needs to function at its best.

Article provided by Cathy Sides, Director of Customer Relations for Cooper Complete