If I Always Had an Afternoon Slump, Here’s What I’d Do 👇

Tired of the afternoon energy crash?

Could be lots of reasons, but one thing it’s NOT is a caffeine deficiency ☕️🙅🏻‍♀️

Maybe your body is asking for something simple:

Movement 🏃🏽‍♂️

We weren’t meant to sit at desks and computers all day.

Even a little bit of movement can combat that slump by promoting circulation, regulating stress hormones, and boosting feel-good chemicals in the brain.

Some ideas:

✔ Take a 10-minute walk outside ☀️

✔ Stretch or do some desk yoga

✔ Try 20 bodyweight squats or jumping jacks

✔ Use a standing desk for part of the afternoon

What’s your favorite way to re-energize in the afternoon?

This or That: Adaptogens Edition

Adaptogens help your body handle stress and its effects.

Two popular adaptogens are Ashwagandha and Rhodiola—so let’s break down the differences:

🌱 Ashwagandha (think ‘calming’)

✔ Eases stress & anxiety

✔ Supports mood & relaxation

🌱 Rhodiola (think ‘energizing’)

✔ Boosts focus & stamina

✔ Supports mitochondria & resilience

Quality matters!

Herbal supplements aren’t tightly regulated, and not all brands contain what they claim.

Also keep in mind that there are potential interactions.If you take medications or have specific health conditions, talk with a practitioner before adding adaptogens.

👉🏽 If you’re looking for better ways to support stress, energy, and resilience, we’re here to help!

📲 Visit our website to get scheduled.

Stressed!? What Your Body May Be Craving:

When you’re feeling extra stressed, your body is working overtime to keep up.

That means a higher demand for nutrients, like:

✨Magnesium

We need magnesium for sleep, relaxation, and muscle recovery. But the more stressed you are, the more magnesium you burn through 🔄making you feel even more stressed.

✨B Vitamins

We need B vitamins for energy, brain function, and the production of stress hormones. Some studies show that supplementing with B vitamins can actually help people feel less stressed.

✨Vitamin C

Your adrenal glands release vitamin C along with stress hormones—and stress increases your demand for it. Since humans can’t make vitamin C, we have to consume it.

Here are some ways to nourish your body when stressed:

✔ Eat nutrient-dense foods

✔ Consider high-quality supplements for extra support

✔ Try adaptogenic herbs, like ashwagandha or rhodiola, to support your stress response

Nutrients are just one piece of the stress puzzle—and no, a handful of supplements won’t make stress disappear.

But they may help your body respond better.

Needing supplement guidance? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Cantrell to discuss the best options for YOU!

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

Sleep in Early-Middle Age: Why it Matters Now.

New research on sleep 😴

Based on sleep questionnaires and brain MRIs, a new study found that issues like trouble falling asleep or waking too early around age 40 were linked with an older brain age.

Not only was that true for a snapshot in time, but similar findings persisted over 5 years as long as sleep struggles were not addressed.

We all know that life is better with better sleep, but what I want you to know is that if you struggle with sleep now, that doesn’t mean you always will.

We have a deep toolkit of strategies to support sleep naturally.

If you’re curious about what that might look like for you and how we can help, 🔗 visit our website to get started!

REFERENCE:
Cavaillès C, Dintica C, Habes M, Leng Y, Carnethon MR, Yaffe K. Association of Self-Reported Sleep Characteristics With Neuroimaging Markers of Brain Aging Years Later in Middle-Aged Adults. Neurology. 2024;103(10):e209988. [link]