Our advice for a serene return to school

How to reduce your anxieties and manage your stress during the start of the school year?

By filling up with adaptogenic plants, magnesium, vitamins, proteins and good fats. Or finally, how to find ways to play with the precursors of stress hormones?

When you go back to work or it's a key period, stress can quickly mount. Obviously “good stress” allows you to be active in your work, but when anxiety comes into play, it can quickly become destructive: lack of concentration, memory problems, sleep disorders, etc.

Bet on adaptogenic plants

You probably know them by now, adaptogens are plants, berries and mushrooms that help the body regain its natural balance and adapt to different types of stress, whether emotional, physical, biological or environmental. .

Their generalized action on the body makes it possible to improve in a general and lasting way the resistance of your body to all the types of stress with which you may be confronted . This is why we have opted for adaptogenic plants in each of our formulas .

If you don't know which products to choose, our Stress & Anxiety Pack is the perfect combo for a peaceful return to school!

Fill up on adrenaline

Adrenaline is a neurotransmitter that helps manage stress. It is made up of two other chemical messengers in the brain: dopamine and norepinephrine. Too much stress lowers your adrenaline levels and makes your body less responsive to stress. The good news: Foods can boost the production of dopamine and norepinephrine. In fact, these two chemical mediators are synthesized from two amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), tyrosine and phenylalanine.

To consume enough of these two amino acids, it is necessary to favor foods rich in proteins such as: dark chocolate, oatmeal, eggs or even turkey (if you eat it).

Choose sources of glutamic acid

Glutamic acid is used by the body to synthesize GABA, a neurotransmitter that promotes rest and relaxation. It reduces muscle tone, slows heart rate, and alleviates epileptic seizures and muscle spasms. It therefore neutralizes the symptoms of stress. It plays an important role in controlling anxiety. So choose foods like cheese or soy that contain plenty of it .

Promote sources of tryptophan

Tryptophan is an amino acid that allows the synthesis of serotonin, an inhibitory neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, allowing in particular better stress management. Choose these foods: pumpkin seeds, soybeans, parsley or parmesan.

Another favored amino acid is lysine. It plays a role in the synthesis of hormones (related to stress), enzymes and antibodies. Foods rich in lysine are: tuna, parsley, veal or cod.

Magnesium: the ultimate anti-stress mineral

Magnesium deficiency greatly increases sensitivity to stress. Requirements are proportional to stress, so it is important to monitor your magnesium intake to reduce anxiety. Magnesium can also help fight stress-induced fatigue.

Foods rich in magnesium are: dark chocolate, almonds, walnuts or hemp .

Vitamin B6, we say yes!

This vitamin enhances the absorption and therefore the effects of magnesium. Vitamin B6 is also necessary for the production of taurine. Taurine is an amino acid that decreases nerve activity both in muscle cells, which are less reactive to stress, and in brain neurons, which are less excitable.

Vitamin B6 is also involved in the synthesis of GABA and serotonin, two neurotransmitters involved in the management of stress and anxiety.

Foods to eat: garlic, spelled, carrots, mint or certain spices (paprika, chili...).

Increase your intake of good fats

The types of fatty acids that make up the fats we eat directly affect how brain cells communicate. When the food consumed contains unsaturated fatty acids (omega-9 and omega-3), cell membranes become more receptive to information transmitted by other cells. They can help normalize the emotional functioning of the brain and decrease mood disorders, sensitivity to stress.

Prefer vegetable oils (olive, rapeseed, etc.) and fatty fish (sardines, salmon, etc.).

In summary, do yourself a favor and sprinkle your dishes with the few ingredients detailed above. Anti-stress back to school guaranteed!