Which way to Zen?

In our current society many of us are under a great deal of stress on a regular basis. If you're anything like me the word Zen conjures up an idea of enlightened peace, a meditative calm, and an overall feeling of contentedness. But as we are rushing to get the kids ready for school, getting ourselves out the door looking some what presentable, and rushing to work for a day of deadlines and sales goals  is Zen really possible and how do you get there?  In my last post I discussed the problems that arise when we go day to day being stressed and don't learn how to properly deal with it. Unfortunately there is no magic pill, they don't prescribe Valium anymore. So I guess the path to calm is paved with work.
Things to know about stress,

• Emotionally it stems from fear - fear for your survival. 
• Physically it is about adaptation - you need to adapt quickly
• Nutritionally you need more nutrients - your body is metabolizing differently
• Environmentally your body's lower brains are always taking in data - this can stimulate autonomic nervous system
• Spiritually it stems from a lack of trust that there is order to the universe.

So if we recognize where stress comes from and why we get stressed we can then choose how we respond to psychological stress.  For instance if your company is doing lay offs you might start to consider the possibility that you could get laid off but there are two very different reactions. The stress inducing reaction is "Oh my God I can't lose my job, I have bills, how will we eat, where will we have to live" or we can choose a reaction that controls the stress "Ok I might get laid off but there is order to the universe, a door doesn't close without a window opening, if I get laid off I can take this as an opportunity to reevaluate my current path." Many times long term stress is a value system problem. 
Emotions and survival adaptations are produced and recorded in our mammalian brain.  How we have reacted to stress in the past has unfortunately conditioned the way we interpret information and respond today.  The way we have been conditioned to think and respond depends on how healthy we are and how healthy we are conditions  how we respond.  All of that being said, it is important to recognize that we can change the way we respond but it takes work.
In addition to working on our responses to stressful situations there are other things that we can do to help keep our adrenal glands from becoming over used and wearing out,

• Eat protein each morning by 8am and every 5 hours after while awake - helps keep cortisol in balance
• Avoid sugar and starch
• Avoid foods you are sensitive to
• Maintain correct posture and avoid prolonged sitting
• Control pain when you have it
• Go to bed by 10pm
• Get a good nights sleep

The last suggestion may seem easier said than done when you are under stress but here are some suggestions for getting a good nights sleep.

• A few drops of 100% pure Lavender Oil on your pillow
• Calcium 500-1000mg and magnesium 250-500mg at bed time
• Add 5-HTP 50-200mg at bedtime - Do not take 5-HTP if you are taking anti-depressants
• Add inositol 500-3000mg after dinner
• Add phosphatidyl serine 100-200mg at bet time
• Add Taurine 500-1000mg after dinner
• Add GABA 500-1000mg after dinner or if you wake up in the middle of the night

If you have been or are currently stressed for an extended period of time your hormones may need some additional support. Consider adding some of these supplements also,

• A good multi vitamin and mineral supplement
• Extra omega-3 fatty acids to help with chemical reactions in the body
• Stress B complex if you have a lot of stress
• Carnitine an amino acids that helps burn fats for energy improves mood and lowers triglycerides levels
• Chromium (not a picolinate form) to help with insulin problems such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity
• Coenzyme Q-10 and antioxidant to protect against heart disease and raise energy and mood.  A must if you are taking Statin drugs for Cholesterol
• Glutamine an amino acid that helps with carbohydrate cravings and heals the intestinal lining
• Lipoic Acid a strong antioxidant that helps repair and improve energy use.  Important in treating insulin resistance conditions
• Taurine an amino acid to improve insulin sensitivity and help rid the body of excess water
• Vitamin C an antioxidant to improve immunity and help under times of stress
• Vitamin E a strong antioxidant for heart and brain health