Lately, I’ve been facing an extremely stressful situation. In the past, my go-to coping mechanisms often involved alcohol, junk food, sugary treats and hiding away indoors. This time, however, I decided to break that pattern and take a different approach. Instead of turning to temporary comforts, I focused on nourishing my body with good nutrition, taking regular walks, and engaging in activities that truly bring me joy. This shift has not only helped me manage stress more effectively but also allowed me to feel more connected and energised throughout the day.

“Stress is not what happens to us. It’s our response to what happens. And response is something we can choose to reframe, transforming pressure into a path for growth.”

Stress significantly alters body chemistry by increasing hormone secretions, such as cortisol and adrenaline. High cortisol levels can disrupt normal metabolic processes, leading to increased cravings for high-fat and sugary foods as the body seeks quick energy sources. These cravings often result in unhealthy eating patterns that may contribute to weight gain and further health complications. Additionally, chronic stress negatively affects mental health by increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. The constant activation of the stress response can impair neurotransmitter balance, reducing mood regulation and overall emotional resilience. Understanding these connections highlights the importance of managing stress to maintain both physical and mental well-being (Smith, 2023; Johnson & Lee, 2022).

Studying naturopathic medicine makes me aware of the impact of stress on my body and therefore, I used this most recent period of heightened pressure to try a different approach.

I went on daily walks in nature; something I have to force myself to do, going against my ‘stay indoors and hibernate’ instinct. But as soon as I’m out there, I instantly feel uplifted. A good tip is to leave your shoes by the front door or somewhere you can see them during the day, to remind yourself to GO OUT!

I made lots of new recipes and even some healthy, plant based meals. My oven baked mushroom risotto was a hit with the whole family! This made me feel more energised and positive, because I was prioritising my health over everything else going on.

The biggest achievement for me – I gave up alcohol for 4 weeks. This made all of the above far easier to cope with, which surprised me. I thought the alcohol would help de-stress me, but in fact, I learned that this was only a temporary fix and made the following days much harder. Without alcohol, I was sleeping better, had less cravings, more clarity of thought, balanced moods, and I was able to get through the difficult time feeling mentally strong – and I also lost 10lbs over 6 weeks which coincided with this period, which was a bonus!

While I’d love to say this has continued consistently, alas I am human and it didn’t take long once the stressor was reduced, to revert to old patterns. So here I am, one month past this time, reflecting on what I’ve let slip. I realise how good these new habits made me feel and I am going to focus on re-introducing them to my daily life. Today I’ve already completed an 80 minute coastal walk to get my outdoor activity and nature time back up.

Key discoveries

This experience taught me that the following steps are the real ticket to good mental health and reduced stress:

• healthy diet and nutrition (more plants, protein and fibre – less processed and sugary foods)
• removing alcohol
• getting outside in nature daily

I will share more of my journey to good health and weight loss as I try to integrate these habits into my life more consistently.