Between increasing work hours, financial and debt pressure, climate degradation, some of the most politically and socially challenging times we’ve ever experienced, and now a worldwide pandemic, it’s no wonder the demand for mental health services has increased dramatically. It’s safe to say we live our daily lives under a lot of stress.

But, the key to tackling any problem is first understanding how it works, so today we’ll discuss an overview of the stress response, the stress hormones, common causes and symptoms of stress, and ways to relieve it.

Let’s start here: intestinal permeability is not a bad thing. In fact, it’s a normal function of your intestines to allow nutrients to pass through the lining of the gut wall and into your bloodstream. Everyone needs some degree of intestinal permeability, or we wouldn’t absorb any nutrients from our food. 

The problem with intestinal permeability occurs when the gaps between the delicate cells in the gut lining get a little too lax, and bigger openings allow bigger molecules of undigested food, toxins, even pathogens like parasites and the natural microbes in our intestines to escape into the bloodstream, forcing our detox and immune systems to work harder.

Whether this holiday season looks different than any you’ve had before, or you’re carrying on with family traditions and gatherings, this time of year tends to drop at least a little extra stress on our shoulders. 

You’ve had plenty of years where you’re running around at the last minute, buying gifts, gathering the necessary ingredients for your special holiday dishes, and probably losing out on a little sleep wondering how you’re going to get it all done in time. 

So what if you made this the year that you prioritized yourself? If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we should all be paying more attention to our health and self-care. So use the tips below to take the time this year to destress, relax, and enjoy the season with family and friends, in whatever way you can.