The LodeStone Center provides nutrition counseling as part of our wellness services. We have a registered dietitian who you can schedule appointments with either stand alone, or along with one of our mental health clinicians. If you would like more information, or would like to request a first visit, you can either fill out the contact form on this page and we will get in touch with you or you can also call us directly at 847-802-4058.
How Can Nutrition Counseling Help With Stress?
Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain that has come from a difficult or demanding situation. We all experience stress on a daily basis, but sometimes the stress is too much and has a negative impact on our physical and emotional health. Too much stress can result in headaches, changes in sleep patterns, fatigue or tiredness, and decreased appetite, as well as changes in hormone levels that may cause unwanted weight gain. Stress impacts everyone differently. However, stressful events whether major or minor trigger a physical response in our bodies referred to as a the “fight or flight” response. This physical response causes our bodies to get ready to stay (“fight”) or leave the situation quickly (“flight”). The body does this by dumping hormones or chemical messengers such as adrenaline and extra glucose or fuel into our system. Short term stress can have a positive impact on us by helping us have more energy and focus to face difficult situations or challenges. However, chronic stress or being constantly in “fight or flight” mode results in higher levels of hormones such as cortisol that lead to unwanted weight gain as well as other negative side effects; such as, difficulty fighting off colds or infections, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, digestive problems, and depression.