June 2020 Newsletter
When it comes to your health, and in particular digestive health, the positive character strength of self-regulation should be your priority. It's interesting that while self-regulation is the most important strength, according to the research, it is the least utilized.
What is self-regulation? Simply, it is controlling your appetite and emotions, and regulating what you do. When you are at your best with self-regulation, you exercise discipline and self-control with your health habits, emotions, and impulses, while allowing yourself spontaneous pleasures and staying reasonably flexible in your daily routines.
Consider these questions as you reflect on your strength of self-regulation:
- How does self-regulation play a role in your greatest successes in life?
- What areas of your life are best regulated?
- How do you control your unwanted impulses?
- What techniques or strategies do you use?
- Which areas of life or what circumstances are most challenging for you in terms of regulating emotions and impulses?
- What thoughts and feelings do you have about yourself when you are not self-regulating effectively?
- How do other people (friends, family, co-workers, or acquaintances) respond to your self-regulation?
- What areas of your life would be improved if you applied greater self-regulation?
If you need self-regulation coaching, give me a call.
With Gratitude, Dr. Gary
If you would like to schedule a phone call with Dr. Gary please CLICK HERE
Healthy Gut, Healthy Body: What You Need to Know
The human body is home to over 100 trillion microorganisms, the majority of which are found in the gastrointestinal tract ("gut"). Taken as a whole, this community of microorganisms, their genes and the functions they encode, are referred to as the microbiome.
During the past two decades, research has revealed significant associations between the gut microbiome and conditions such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's Disease, psoriasis, and cancer. Recent research is also striving to understand the correlation between the microbiome and Alzheimer's Disease, autoimmune conditions, and various inflammatory responses. Because of the highly individualized make-up of each person's microbiome, researchers are exploring how nutrition and other factors influence the gut microbiome and how imbalances can be corrected with lifestyle interventions.
Disruption to the delicate balance in the microbiome can be caused by many factors, such as
- age (microbiome composition changes throughout the lifespan)
- dietary habits and quality of our food
- history of illness, existing chronic health conditions or autoimmune conditions
- imbalance in stomach acid production
- frequency of use of certain prescription medications including antibiotics
- lifestyle factors: smoking (including e-cigarettes), use of alcohol or recreational drugs
- high stress level
- exposure to toxins in the environment (e.g., work conditions, atmosphere)
While research reveals a link between lifestyle factors, the microbiome, and the health of our system, there is a great deal more to be discovered. For example, scientists want to better identify which bacteria in the microbiome are most implicated in specific diseases. They also want to understand whether an imbalance is the cause for the disease, or the result of the disease, or both.
One thing that is clear: Failure to take care of ourselves disrupts the microbiome, which then creates a cycle of imbalance that manifests in symptoms of illness (in the gut and in other organs). Some of these include:
- poor absorption of nutrients (organic acids and comprehensive digestive analysis)
- bad breath (halitosis)
- recurrent upset stomach, nausea, or bloating
- persistent constipation or diarrhea
- difficulty urinating
- vaginal or anal itching or discharge
- rash or redness
- fatigue
- trouble concentrating
- changes in mood
Unless the microbiome is brought back into balance, symptoms of illness will persist and quality of life diminishes. Even if you have been ill, or not kind to your body with a healthy lifestyle, there is good news: Healthy dietary changes and nutritional supplements can rebalance the microbiome, strengthening immunity and reducing inflammation throughout the body. Here are a few tips to help rebalance your gut:
Eat a whole foods diet. In particular, the high-fiber, nutrient-rich foods in the Mediterranean Diet has been shown to protect the integrity of the gut microbiome.
Eat more fermented foods. Fermentation is a process for preserving food that can improve digestibility. Fermented foods contain bacteria that are an important source of nutrients and health-promoting bacteria for the gut.
Take a prebiotic/probiotic supplement. Prebiotics are a type of fiber that the human body cannot digest. They serve as fuel for probiotics, which are tiny living microorganisms, (bacteria and yeast). Both prebiotics and probiotics support the body in building and maintaining a healthy gut. To ensure the right combination and proper absorption, prebiotic - probiotic regiment needs to be prescribed by your physician.
Heart Strengths Therapy. (CLICK HERE) Heart-Strength Therapy (HST) is a process that integrates HeartMath technology tools with positive character strengths. As an evidence-based emotional management tool HeartMath has been shown to be effective both scientifically and clinically. HST BUILDS RESILIENCE AND AGILITY. By combining Heartmath tools with positive character strengths, HST is a personalized and very powerful utilization of the HeartMath tools. This approach makes HST a valuable lifestyle tool for health, business, relationships, family, community, and all social endeavors.
If you've had ongoing problems with gastrointestinal symptoms, it's time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gary who will provide you with a personalized approach to rebalancing your microbiome.
Radio Interview
In this radio interview Dr. Gary Gruber speaks with Ellen Kamhi ("The Natural Nurse") about the economy, the pandemic of 2020, and simple solutions for boosting your immune system. CLICK HERE FOR RECORDING
'Go Nuts' for the Health Benefits of Tree Nuts
From breakfast to dinner to snacks, tree nuts are popular across the globe. They can be eaten whole (fresh or roasted), in spreads and butters, used as a source for gluten-free flour, and blended into smoothies or dessert recipes. Nut oils are used for cooking and are even found in skincare and haircare products. But what is a nut? And what makes nuts so good for our health?
Tree nuts are dry fruits with one seed that becomes hard at maturity. With the exception of chestnuts, which have a different nutrient profile and higher level of starch, the most popular edible tree nuts are almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, and cashews. Other favorites include pecans, macadamia, and Brazil nuts. And then there's the peanut: even though it grows from the ground rather than on a tree and is technically a legume, its nutrient profile is considerably similar to tree nuts.
What Makes Nuts Good for Health?
Nuts are low in carbohydrates and high in vegetable protein, fiber, magnesium, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They are low in saturated fat and a rich source of 'healthy' fats, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs and PUFAs). Studies show that nuts . . .
- protect the heart, helping reduce risk for cardiovascular disease
- support cellular defenses against free radicals that damage cells and are implicated in chronic disease
- balance insulin levels, which relates to lower risk for Type 2 Diabetes
- support healthy brain tissue
- reduce inflammation
- help maintain healthy cholesterol level
- help maintain a healthy body weight
Epidemiological studies show regular consumption of nuts is linked to lower risk of all-cause mortality. High nut intake is associated with better overall cognition at older ages. In particular, walnuts are high in an essential fatty acid, named Omega-3 fatty acid, important to brain function. Pistachio nuts have been associated with significant gamma brain wave activity, critical for cognitive processing, memory, learning and perception.
It's clear that tree nuts make an indispensable contribution to a well-balanced diet for omnivores and vegetarians alike. So, find a nut you love and make it part of your daily diet.
N-acetyl glucosamine (N-AcG): A Possible New Therapy for Supporting Our Gut
N-acetyl glucosamine (N-AcG) comes from the outer shell of shellfish. Studies indicate it might help protect the lining of the stomach and intestines. N-AcG seems to be an energy source for friendly organisms within the microbiota, which may account for its protective benefits to the intestinal tract.
There is early evidence that taking N-AcG by mouth or rectally might decrease symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis, conditions that are known to have deterioration of the gut microbiota. While focusing on reestablishing a healthy microbiota is a priority, sometimes we also need therapies and treatments to help with flared symptoms.
Do not confuse N-AcG with the forms of glucosamine that are used in holistic therapies for osteoarthritis; the supplements are very different. For osteoarthritis, glucosamine sulfate is used. N-AcG, since it is derived from shellfish, carries the risk of causing a reaction in individuals who are allergic to shellfish. Also, N-AcG may raise insulin levels, interact with prescription medications, and is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.
The appropriate dose of N-AcG glucosamine depends on several factors, such as age, health issues, current medications, and many other factors. If you are interested in this supplement, contact Dr. Gary for guidance about the appropriateness of N-AcG for you.
Nuts for Nut Milks! How to Make any Variety
With endless varieties of nut milks lining the grocery shelves, you might wonder "Can I make my own nut milk at home?" Yes you can, and it's not as difficult as you might think. You can enhance this basic recipe, good for nearly any nut, by adding fresh berries, coconut, or blending varieties of nuts (Cashew-Almond Milk, for example). Start simple and when you're comfortable with the basic recipe, experiment with flavor.
Nut Milk Basics
- Buy raw unsalted nuts
- Soak the nuts overnight according to guidelines listed below (also see website listed in Resources)
- Drain and rinse the soaked nuts
- Blend the nuts with fresh, clean water (use a high quality blender)
- Strain the nut milk. For sustainability, use a piece of clean cotton cloth. It can be washed and reused hundreds of times.
- Sweeten with raw honey, molasses or stevia if desired
- Chill, drink, enjoy!
Helpful Tips
A blender is the best tool for this job, but a food processor works too. Nut milk from a blender is a bit creamier and sweeter.
After blending, straining the milk provides the best consistency for a drinkable nut milk.
Some folks prefer to leave their nut milk unstrained, especially those with high-powered blenders, but unstrained milk will separate more in the fridge and will need to be mixed again before serving. Unstrained milk is thicker and creamier than strained.
Another option, for those who prefer a thinner milk, is to add clean water to strained or even unstrained milk. Simply add clean water until the milk reaches your preferred consistency.
To make 2 cups of Cashew Nut Milk:
- 1 cup raw, unsalted cashews, or any raw nuts without skins
- 2 cups water
- Soaking water
Soak the nuts: Place the nuts in a medium glass bowl. Cover with water. Cover the bowl with a cloth and let sit overnight at room temperature or up to 2 days in the refrigerator. The nuts will plump as they absorb water and should feel a little squishy if you pinch them. The longer the nuts soak, the creamier the milk will be.
Drain and rinse the nuts: Drain the nuts through a fine-mesh strainer or colander, then rinse them thoroughly under cool running water. Place the nuts in a blender (or food processor) and add the 2 cups of water.
Blend on high speed: Pulse the blender a few times to break up the nuts, then blend continuously on high speed for 3 minutes. If using a food processor, process for 4 minutes total, pausing to scrape down the sides halfway through. The nuts should be broken down into a very fine meal, and the water should be white and opaque.
Strain out the nut meal: Line the fine-mesh strainer or colander with either an opened nut bag, 2 layers of cheesecloth or a piece of cotton and set over a measuring cup or bowl. Pour the nut mixture through the strainer. Gather the nut bag or cheesecloth around the nut meal and twist close. Squeeze and press with clean hands to extract as much nut milk as possible. You should get about 2 cups.
Refrigerate the nut milk: Store the nut milk in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If it separates, just shake to recombine. Save the nut meal for another use such as in vegan lasagna, enchiladas, home-made ice cream, cookies and more!
Nut Soaking Guidelines by Hardness
Long-soak nuts (almonds, pistachios, and hazelnuts) need at least 8 hours.
Medium-soak nuts (pecans, walnuts, and Brazil nuts) are oilier and swell up quickly, so require less soaking time.
Short-soak nuts (cashews, macadamias, and pine nuts) have the highest fat content and require only 2 to 4 hours soaking. Do not soak these nuts for longer than 4 hours. Soaking them for extended periods of time breaks down their health-promoting oils.
Guiding Principles
The HeartMath Experience | Online Learning for FREE
What is “The HeartMath Experience"?
This is a FREE online course where you will learn about the science and tools of HeartMath.
Over the past 15 years, I have taught many patients this system of emotional management. In November 2019, HeartMath released this online course and is now making it available to the general public for the foreseeable future. The course is a combination of videos and downloadable documents that you can use right now.
The HeartMath tools are part of the Mind Body natural solution that I have developed for patients called Heart Strengths Therapy.
CLICK HERE to see more information about Heart Strengths Therapy.
HeartMath is a Natural Solution for many Aliments
If you have a chronic health condition such as:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- High Blood Pressure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Heart Palpitations
- Insomnia
- Chronic Fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- Lyme Disease
- Headaches
- Erectile Dysfunction
You will benefit from learning and practicing the HeartMath tools. This emotional management system will improve your health, relationship and life experience.
Use HeartMath with or instead of Meditation
I am often asked to compare meditation to HeartMath. Here is the essence of the difference: HeartMath tools can be practiced anytime, anywhere. To meditate, you need to set aside a period of time in a quiet space. Most people who live in a fast-paced world need a real-time solution for emotional management. I have found the best system is HeartMath.
I highly recommend that you take advantage of this online learning experience.
CLICK HERE for FREE ACCESS to The HeartMath Experience.
HeartMath Tool for Crisis Management - Care Focus for Transforming Fear and Panic in Fairfield County
HeartMath Tool for Crisis Management - Care Focus for Transforming Fear and Panic
Due to uncertainty, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing an increase in fear and anxiety in our community. You can see it in the faces of people while waiting in lines to enter the grocery stores as well as the folks doing the shopping. There is no eye contact as though any recognition of another human being will cause infection.
During times of uncertainty, the fight or flight mechanism (see: Heart Strength Therapy) takes over manifesting, heart palpitations, irritable bowel, headaches, insomnia, aches and pains, and suppression of the immune system that is so vital to protecting us against disease.
To help people with managing fear during a crisis, HeartMath has posted a video called “Special HeartMath Care Focus in Response to the Corona (COVID- 19) Pandemic.” As a certified HeartMath practitioner I received an email about this exceptional heartmath tool that I can share with our community. Here are some highlights from HeartMath:
- Managed concern is a health-conscious replacement for fear.
- The Care Focus (see video below) compassionately helps transform the intensity of personal fear into a more grounded attitude.
- This provides clearer thinking, effective discernment, and much better choices through times of uncertainty and rapid changes.
- Highly amped fear can deteriorate our two most important purposes — maintaining health and clarity in our reasoning.
- Research has shown that balancing the energetic nature of our mind and emotions, while practicing compassionate care for others and ourselves enhances the immune system.
- The attitude of managed concern leaves us more in charge of our mental and emotional nature — and provides easier access to our intuitive guidance and highest choices. Fear disrupts this connection, especially when we need it the most, for grounded direction.
- The Care Focus practice can help us become progressively more empowered and confident when we find ourselves challenged by fear and intense anxiety.
If you have never used HeartMath tools to manage your emotions, you have the opportunity at this time to jump in with this video. As a seasoned practitioner I found practicing this tool helps calm ramped-up mental and emotional energy. By radiating compassion I have the opportunity to help others with mounting and pent-up emotions.
https://youtu.be/AVDNS-z_o5U
Get help with your stress and anxiety with Dr. Gary Gruber
Dr. Gary Gruber is a licensed naturopathic practitioner and holistic health counselor. He owns Family and Environmental Medicine where he specializes in helping his patients find natural solutions for health conditions related to stress and anxiety.
If you’re experiencing stress-related conditions and need help, contact Dr. Gary Gruber.
Family and Environmental Medicine is in the heart of Fairfield County, Connecticut near Downtown Canaan. His office is only 10 minutes from Stamford and Darian, 20 minutes from Greenwich, and an hour from NYC by train.
HeartMath for Kids - Helping Children Manage Challenging Emotions during COVID19
HeartMath Institute Gives 100,000 Kids Free Access to a New Online Course, HeartSmarts® Adventure.
With so many families sheltering at home now, many find themselves facing new challenges - how to manage time with their kids at home, how to create educational experiences, and how to manage the challenging emotions associated with COVID-19.
Through a special grant, the HeartMath Institute is giving 100,000 kids, families, and teachers free access to HeartSmarts Adventure - an immersive online experience for children aged 4 to 6 (see program description below). This is normally priced beginning at $49, so be sure to get your free Access Now.
Let’s help children during this stressful time.
Here is a Description of the Program:
HeartSmarts Adventure guides children aged 4 to 6 through a self-paced, fun and engaging social and emotional online learning program. Children learn about connecting to their hearts, navigating emotions, relating to others and resilience-building techniques. Research shows that when children become attuned to their emotions, they have more focus, increased reasoning ability, greater comprehension and enhanced creativity.
- Six artfully crafted Adventures
- 60 engaging and informative activities
- Science-based, parent-approved, kid-tested
CLICK HERE To learn more and get your Free Access
What Are Coherent Kids?
Coherent kids can recognize and regulate their basic emotions. When faced with a challenge, they have the ability to pause, refocus and make a new choice. They have learned to solve problems in a healthy and positive way.
"It is vital that when educating our children’s brains, we do not neglect to educate their hearts."
– Dalai Lama
The all-new HeartSmarts Adventure offers digital content such as videos, art, movement and songs to teach children heart-healthy socioemotional skills.
To receive your free online copy of HeartSmarts Adventure, CLICK HERE
Heart palpitations can be scary: Learn how to prevent them through stress & anxiety management
What are heart palpitations and why are you getting them?
When heart palpitations start, it stops you in your tracks. It’s that feeling when your heart suddenly begins to race or flutter. It might feel like it’s skipping a beat or beating irregularly. You can’t ignore it, so you just wait it out. You feel uneasy, even concerned. Then it suddenly goes away, and you can go back to what you were doing.
Fortunately, when not caused by a serious underlying condition, heart palpitations are usually not dangerous. However, they are still unpleasant and scary.
Heart palpitations are usually brought on by stress, fear, or anxiety. When we get stressed out, our bodies go into fight or flight mode. Everyone experiences this differently, and for some people, this hyperactive state -even if mild - triggers heart palpitations. Although they are generally not a cause for alarm, it’s hard not worry when they happen, which only adds to the stress that likely caused them in the first place.
The first step to preventing heart palpitations is finding out why you’re experiencing them in the first place.
Causes of heart palpitations
Stress, fear, and anxiety are the most common cause of heart palpitations, but they can also be triggered by other physical conditions such as:
- Holding the breath
- Shallow, short breaths
- Low blood sugar
- Too much caffeine
- Low potassium levels
- Dehydration
- A fever
- Pregnancy
Certain medications cause the pulse to increase:
- Nicotine
- Alcohol
- Cocaine and amphetamines
- Diet pills, decongestants, and asthma inhalers
Heart palpitations are also associated with medical conditions including:
- Thyroid disease
- Anemia
- Heart disease
- Hypoglycemia
- Low blood pressure
Natural treatment of heart palpitations
The way you treat heart palpitations will depend on what is causing them. Making sure you’re eating enough food and staying hydrated is important for keeping your blood sugar and electrolyte levels where they should be.
If you’re unsure of why you’re getting heart palpitations, please contact our office for an appointment with Dr Gruber. He will be able to evaluate your condition and order appropriate testing for any underlying conditions that could be triggering them.
Stress relief is a natural solution for heart palpitations
If, like most people, your heart palpitations are being brought on by stress or anxiety, you’re going to need to learn to control these emotions in order to find relief. HeartMath tools (CLICK HERE for more information) such as the Neutral Tool are ways to calm yourself during an episode of palpitations as well as good daily practices to try to keep your anxiety at bay. Other natural ways to reduce stress include a healthy diet, regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and making time for activities that you find relaxing and pleasurable.
If you’re struggling to manage your stress by yourself, seeking help from a professional is a great option. Heart Strengths Therapy can help people like you learn take control of anxiety and live a better life.
The concerns that come with extreme and frequent stress go far beyond heart palpitations. Making sure you learn how to properly deal with it can improve your health and quality of life in several ways.
Learn to manage your stress and stop heart palpitations with Dr. Gary Gruber
Dr. Gary Gruber is a licensed naturopathic practitioner and holistic health counselor. He owns Family and Environmental Medicine where he specializes in helping his patients find natural solutions for health conditions related to stress and anxiety causing heart palpitations.
If you’re experiencing heart palpitations and want to avoid them by learning to cope with stress in a healthier way, contact Dr. Gary Gruber.
Family and Environmental Medicine is in the heart of Fairfield County, Connecticut near Downtown Canaan. His office is only 10 minutes from Stamford and Darien, 20 minutes from Greenwich, and an hour from NYC by train.
Natural Remedies to Stay Healthy this flu season: Learn to manage your stress so you will avoid getting coronavirus
The effect of stress on your immune system
It’s that time of year: flu season. It’s not just influenza knocking everyone down this time of year either. Common colds, pneumonia, strep throat, stomach flu, and so many other illnesses run rampant during the winter months.
All these illnesses come with a host of dreadful symptoms, missed work and other activities, and basically several days of plain misery. With all these germs going around, along with the new threat of a coronavirus outbreak looming over our heads, making sure our immune system is as strong as possible should be at the top of everyone’s priority list.
Of course, eating healthy foods and getting plenty of rest are great ways to keep your immune system doing what it’s supposed to do. However, one of the best ways to keep from getting sick might surprise some people.
Stop stressing is the strongest and best medicine for viral infections
Just like influenza, the coronavirus is a highly contagious infection. It is spread by coughing, sneezing, and likely through feces. Suppose you’re in a public place like a grocery store. A few people around you are coughing and sneezing. How do you react?
- Does it bring up worry or anger that you might contract the virus?
- Are you worried or upset that you may spread the virus to your family and co-workers?
- Are you frustrated or afraid that you may need to stop working for ten to 14 days?
- Is your mind racing with all these negative thoughts trying desperately to predict the future?
Anxiety, panic, anger suppress your immune system
Your immune system is the most potent defense against viruses. When we’re stressed out, our bodies release a hormone called corticosteroid, which suppresses the immune system, and not just a little bit. Studies have shown that stress and anxiety, especially when lasting more than a day or two, can significantly weaken all aspects of a person’s immune system and make you far more likely to catch any illness that comes your way.
This tells us one important thing: if you don’t want to get sick, learn how to manage your stress.
What is influenza
Flu season gets its name from influenza, which is not the same as the stomach flu – a common misconception. Influenza is caused by influenza A and B viruses, and although it’s usually mild, it can be quite serious - in some cases even fatal.
Influenza is very contagious, and it spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The germs can be spread airborne up to six feet, and they can also be passed from person to person via surfaces that we touch.
Symptoms of influenza
Symptoms of influenza include:
- Fever, cold chills, and/or night sweats
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing and sore throat
- Headaches and body aches
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
If you think you have influenza:
- drink a lot of nutritive broths and pure water; eat lightly
- eat soups and other foods that are easily digested
- getting plenty of rest.
Children, elderly people, and anyone with a chronic medical condition or who has a compromised immune system should see a doctor. Dr Gruber is available to consult with patients who want a natural solution for treatment of influenza and coronavirus. Our online dispensary (see cold and flu season) has the most effective natural supplements for treating colds, influenza, and coronavirus. Please contact the office for a treatment plan for you and your family.
How to protect yourself from influenza, and other illnesses naturally
We are not completely helpless when it comes to the influenza virus. There are many ways to boost your immune system and avoiding the germs that cause the flu and other illnesses. Getting an annual flu shot is always an option, but if you’re looking for natural ways to avoid influenza, some of these may work:
- A healthy diet. Take your Vitamin C, but remember, it’s not just Vitamin C that boosts your immune system. Zinc, B vitamins, iron, and many other vitamins and minerals are important for your body’s defense against germs. Make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and consider taking a multivitamin when the weather starts to cool off.
- Get plenty of rest. Fighting off viruses is hard work.
- Don’t smoke.
- Limit alcohol.
- Wash your hands. A lot.
- Avoid physical contact when possible. You don’t always have to shake people’s hands. You can smile and wave when introducing yourself – maybe make a little joke about not wanting to spread germs. It’s not rude. Other people will probably appreciate it.
Learn how to manage your stress and anxiety. You can be doing all of things listed above, but if you’re really stressed out, it’s like leaving the back door open. All the infections will get right past your barriers. If you’re struggling with managing your stress, contact Family and Environmental Medicine for a comprehensive consultation.
Manage your stress and boost your immune system with Dr. Gary Gruber
Dr. Gary Gruber is a licensed naturopathic practitioner and holistic health counselor. He owns Family and Environmental Medicine where he specializes in helping his patients find natural solutions for colds and influenza caused by stress and anxiety.
If you struggle with managing your stress and anxiety, contact Dr. Gary Gruber.
Family and Environmental Medicine is in the heart of Fairfield County, Connecticut across from the Bristow Bird Sanctuary and Wildwood Preserve. His office is only 10 minutes from Wilton, Stamford and Darien, 20 minutes from Greenwich, and an hour from Grand Central Station by MetroNorth.
If you have high blood pressure, learning to better cope with stress & anxiety could save your life
Stress Management lowers High Blood Pressure
There’s a reason why checking a patient’s blood pressure is always one of the first things done by a nurse or doctor. High blood pressure affects close to a third of the American population, and it doesn’t show any symptoms.
It also comes with a lot of serious health risks. High blood pressure is when your blood is putting too much force on the walls of your blood vessels, which causes damage over time. This damage makes it hard for blood to get to important organs which can eventually lead to serious complications such as kidney disease, heart disease, or a stroke or heart attack.
Stress and Anxiety cause High Blood Pressure
The connection between chronic high blood pressure also called hypertension, and stress and anxiety is still being researched. What we do know is when we get stressed out, our body releases cortisol and adrenaline into our blood stream. These “fight or flight” hormones cause our heart to beat faster and our blood vessels to get smaller, which in turn causes a temporary spike in blood pressure. This puts us in somewhat of a hyperactive state, which would be effective if either fighting or fleeing could solve all our problems.
But in today’s world that’s not usually the case. Our problems are generally less dangerous and more frequent than they were thousands of years ago. For people who get stressed out easily, the extra strain regularly put on their blood vessels can cause damage over time.
For people who already have hypertension, stress can only make the risks greater. With the damage that high blood pressure is already causing on your blood vessels and organs, keeping your stress under control is very important.
Other Causes of High Blood Pressure
Although stress causes blood pressure to increase temporarily, which is dangerous for people who already have hypertension, anxiety is not known to cause chronic high blood pressure by itself. However, a lot of behaviors people use to cope with stress puts them at a higher risk.
Smoking, drinking alcohol, and an unhealthy diet are all ways that people commonly deal with stress. These behaviors can also all lead to chronic high blood pressure. Fortunately, if these behaviors are stopped, a person’s blood pressure can go back to a healthy level.
Natural treatments for High Blood Pressure
Ways to lower your blood pressure at home include:
- Regular exercise
- Not smoking
- Avoiding alcohol
- A healthy diet
- Eating less salt
Learning to manage stress is also important for keeping your blood pressure under control. When you’re stress-free, unnecessary blood pressure spikes can be avoided, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle becomes easier. Effectively managing stress always leads to a healthier body. A natural solution to treat high blood pressure is Heart Strengths Therapy.
Lower your stress and your blood pressure with Dr. Gary Gruber
Dr. Gary Gruber is a licensed naturopathic practitioner and holistic health counselor. He owns Family and Environmental Medicine where he specializes in helping his patients find natural solutions for high blood pressure that is the result of stress and anxiety.
If you have high blood pressure and need help learning to cope with stress and anxiety in a healthier way, contact Dr. Gary Gruber.
The office of Family and Environmental Medicine is in New Canaan, Connecticut, within walking distance from the New Canaan train station. In the center of Fairfield County his office is only 10 minutes from Stamford and Darien, 20 minutes from Ridgefield, Greenwich, and Westport. An easy ride on the New Haven MetroNorth railroad hour from New York City.
Struggling to Lose Weight? How learning to cope with your anxiety & stress can help
Anxiety and weight gain
You’ve gained weight. You’re always stressed out. The extra weight is stressing you out even more, but you have too much on your mind to do anything about it. Instead you eat pizza, drink wine, and stress some more.
If this is you, you’re not alone.
For several reasons, weight gain and anxiety often go hand in hand. Common side effects of anxiety are fatigue and lack of energy. It can also make us feel depressed and unmotivated. These things make living an active lifestyle very difficult.
It’s also very common for people to cope with their anxiety with food. Eating makes us feel good, even if it’s just for a short period of time. Eating comfort foods, which are generally not very good for you, make us feel even better. Alcohol is another common coping mechanism for people suffering from anxiety, which also causes weight gain over time.
The Stress Hormone - Cortisol
On top of that, when we get stressed out, our bodies release a hormone called cortisol, and studies have shown that having increased levels of cortisol in your system can cause our bodies to store extra fat in our stomach.
Overweight Feels Awful
To make matters worse, being overweight is its own stressor. It puts a person at a higher risk for many illnesses and diseases and often leads to a lower quality of life and self-esteem. Just a few more things to be anxious about in the first place.
Weight loss remedies – Managing Emotions
The best way to lose weight is through eating healthy and regular exercise. If you’re also struggling with anxiety, you’re going to need to get that under control before you’re able to successfully and permanently lose weight.
Some natural ways to treat anxiety include meditation and practicing mindfulness, getting enough sleep, and cutting down on alcohol, caffeine, and other substances. Healthy food and exercise can also help ease stress.
When you feel your anxiety is making it hard to function or holding you back from losing weight, seeking professional help to manage your emotions to lose weight is the next step.
Help with anxiety and weight loss with Dr. Gary Gruber
Dr. Gary Gruber is a licensed naturopathic practitioner and holistic health counselor. He owns Family and Environmental Medicine where he specializes in helping his patients find natural solutions for weight gain caused by stress and anxiety.
If you’re struggling with losing weight and need help getting control over your anxiety, contact Dr. Gary Gruber.
Located in Fairfield County the office for Family and Environmental Medicine is walking distance from the train station in New Canaan. The office is an hour from NYC by train only 10 minutes from Stamford and Darien, 20 minutes from Greenwich, Ridgefield, and Westport, CT. See map below or CLICK HERE.
Overcome insomnia naturally | How to minimize your anxiety and finally get some sleep
The relationship between anxiety and insomnia
Not being able to sleep when you know your body is exhausted is an awful feeling. It’s something that most people have experienced at least once, but for some people this happens far too often. One of the major causes of insomnia is anxiety, and the relationship between anxiety and insomnia can be a brutal cycle.
Insomnia/Anxiety Cycle
Anxiety makes it impossible to fall asleep and stay asleep, but sleep deprivation makes anxiety worse. It’s upsetting, it’s stressful, and on top of it all, you’re absolutely exhausted all the time. Not to mention, long term sleep deprivation puts you at a higher risk for many health conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. It weakens your immune system, decreases your daily performance and ability to think and function effectively, and makes you far more likely to get into an accident if you drive a car.
Anxiety is the feeling of worry, fear, or apprehension in response to stressful or unknown circumstances in our lives. Anxiety can be short-term and brought on by a specific situation. However, if your anxiety lasts longer than six months or is so severe that it’s making it hard for you to function properly in your everyday life, it’s likely that you have an anxiety disorder. Whether your anxiety is temporary or chronic, it often leads to insomnia.
Symptoms of Insomnia
According to the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms of insomnia include:
- Trouble falling asleep
- Inability to stay asleep or sleep through the night
- Waking up too early
- Waking up not feeling rested
- Feeling tired throughout the day
Causes of insomnia
The most common causes of difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep are anxiety, stress, and depression. Other causes include an unhealthy diet or lifestyle, bad sleep habits, or pain.
Natural insomnia relief
For most people, the best way to get insomnia under control is to learn how to manage their anxiety and stress. Healthy habits such as daily exercise, a proper diet, and practicing mindfulness can all help with anxiety and insomnia. Good sleep habits like doing a calming activity before bed, keeping a regular schedule, and limiting substances like alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine can all help with insomnia and anxiety as well. If you are struggling with insomnia and it’s negatively affecting your daily life, you should consider speaking with a holistic counselor.
Natural insomnia relief with Dr. Gary Gruber
If you’re struggling with insomnia and need help getting your control over your sleep and your life, contact Dr. Gary Gruber.
Dr. Gary Gruber is a licensed naturopathic practitioner and holistic health counselor. He owns Family and Environmental Medicine where he specializes in helping his patients find natural solutions for insomnia caused by stress and anxiety. Family and Environmental Medicine is in the heart of Fairfield County, Connecticut near downtown New Canaan CT. His office is only 10 minutes from Stamford CT and Darien CT, 20 minutes from Greenwich CT, and less than an hour from New York City by train.
Natural Headache Relief | How Stress & Anxiety Can Cause the Pain
On a stressful day at work, do you find yourself popping aspirin to numb your headache? If you suffer from tension headaches, you may have noticed that your headaches are caused by stress.
Next time you have a headache, don't run straight for the medicine cabinet: reducing your stress may provide natural headache relief, eliminating the need for over-the-counter pills.
Read on to discover more about tension headaches and their causes. In the meantime, you can also check out this link for more information about reducing the amount of stress in your life!
Do I Have a Tension Headache?
Tension or stress headaches are just one type of headache you can get -- and only one of the myriad of ways your body reacts to stress. Here's how to tell if you have a tension headache, versus another type of headache due to another cause.
The symptoms of tension headaches are unique from other types of headaches. If you have a tension headache, you may feel a dull ache, tightness or pressure around your forehead. Many people liken it to the feeling of a rubber band being wrapped around your head. According to Mayo Clinic, tension headaches may be episodic or chronic, meaning they may come and go or persist for long periods of time.
Another type of headache you may get, which can be triggered by stress or other causes, is a migraine headache. The pain of migraine headaches can be described as throbbing or pulsing and may lead to other symptoms such as nausea or weakness. If you have a migraine with aura, you may also experience changes in your field of vision. Migraine headaches can be more serious than tension headaches and may require medical attention.
Causes of Tension Headaches
Tension headache occurs due to contractions of the muscles in and around the head, resulting in the feeling that a rubber band is being tightened around your forehead. Cold temperatures and staring at a computer screen may trigger tension headaches in some people. However, for most patients, a major cause of tension headaches is stress, whether at work, at home, at school or due to another area of life altogether.
Preventing Tension Headaches Naturally
Natural treatments for tension headaches can prevent the onset of headaches and reduce their intensity when they do occur. If you suffer from frequent tension headaches (defined as more than once or twice per week), you may want to try biofeedback, a type of electromagnetic therapy that can be helpful for tension headaches.
Natural Treatment for Headaches - Stress Management by Dr. Gary Gruber
Dr. Gary Gruber specializes in a type of biofeedback known as HeartMath therapy, which states that our heart rhythms reflect our inner state -- including our levels of stress. Using principles of psychology and naturopathic medicine, Dr Gruber can help you regulate your heart rate, calm stress in the body and thereby reduce tension headaches.
If you are struggling to find a solution to your health issues, contact Dr Gary Gruber.
Family and Environmental Medicine is located in the heart of Fairfield County Connecticut near Downtown New Canaan
- NYC – 35 Miles
- Westchester County – 10-30 minutes
- Greenwich – 10 minutes
- Stamford
- Norwalk – 10 minutes
- Westport – 10-15 minutes