Stress is any stimuli that the body perceives as a challenge to overcome. It can be mental and emotional (stressful job, tragic loss, accident, relationships etc). It can be physical (injury and illness, poor diet etc). It can be something you are not aware of (air pollution, constant noises, bright lights, negative energy from others etc). Over time the effects of stress can develop into anxiety and depression, addictions, insomnia, headaches, obesity, high blood pressure, lowered immunity, chronic pain and fatigue-the list goes on and on.

Stress increases disease and reduces our quality of life. While we can control some of those things that contribute to our stress, we can't avoid all stress. But you can control how you respond to stress and how the stress is affecting your body.

Using all the naturopathic tools:

• I will work with you to identify your sources of stress and determine which ones you can change.
• I assess your diet and lifestyle factors to determine how effectively or ineffectively you are dealing with stress.
• You will learn relaxation techniques that are proven to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure and improve sleep.
• You will become aware of when stress is affecting you and you will learn coping techniques so that you don't turn to food, cigarettes, alcohol and coffee.
• And through a comprehensive naturopathic assessment, underlying medical conditions that are contributing to your stress will be treated.

Read more about the effects of stress.