Stress during the pandemic
Each of us is dealing with stress during the pandemic. I think of each of us as walking around with an invisible backpack of bricks. When I have to line up (again) to get into the grocery store and the person in front of me isn’t as fast as I would like to head inside when it is their turn, I remind myself that they are carrying an invisible backpack of bricks. I don’t know what bricks they might be carrying. Are they laid off because of lockdown and worrying that they won’t have enough money for the groceries? Is their Mom in a long term care home that is suffering an outbreak? Did they get an alert on the Covid 19 alert app (please download it if you have a smartphone) but are worried that if they tell their boss they were exposed they’ll be fired? With this worldwide health emergency everyone in the world is carrying an invisible backpack of bricks.
Allostatic load
I had a lot of notes written down about allostatic load, but I think instead I will just share some recent events.
Mailed the cheque for our property taxes only I forgot to sign the cheque.
Looked everywhere in my car (scoured) for my car keys when they were in the ignition the whole time. This took 10 minutes.
Yesterday I mailed a letter to my Dad only I forgot to put the stamps on the envelope.
Obviously you have to take my word for it that this is not my usual modus operandi. These – failures of cognition – are the result of my allostatic load. It has now been almost a year. Back in April I was waiting for nettles and ranting.
Maintaining balance
When I think of allostasis I think of “weebles wobble but they don’t fall down.” Weebles were a 1970’s toy that would not fall over.
A weeble.
Any organism has to act to maintain a state of internal physiological equilibrium. When pushed upon it has to push back. Actions are taken to maintain this state of equilibrium in the face of actual (or perceived) stressors. Many of these actions involve our endocrine system and the increased secretion of hormones – particularly stress hormones.
Allostatic load is the cost to the body of maintaining allostasis. Sometimes the cost is minimal and other times the cost (during a pandemic) is overwhelming. Increased costs over extended periods of time can lead to
- Cardiovascular disease.
- Decreased immune response.
- Problems with memory/cognition.
Resilience
Resilience has kind of been a buzzword for 2020. I looked up the official definition of resilience (I know, cheap tawdry writing hack) – “the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. The ability of a substance or object to spin back into shape.” We can act to increase our resilience. In this context of health, resilience refers to our ability to successfully respond to stressors both appropriately and efficiently. When we know things aren’t going great that is the time to recommit to healthy practices that can increase our resilience.
Maybe we can’t put down our invisible backpack of bricks. We can take steps though to ensure that the person who has to carry the backpack is in as good shape as possible. We can limit our alcohol intake, focus on a whole food diet incorporating healthy fats, cut down on media consumption, etc. These are all steps that are the building blocks of good health at any time but they are all the more important during a crisis.
There are tools to deal specifically with stress. They include
- Time in nature.
- Sleep.
- Movement.
- Human connection.
- Herbs
Adaptogens
The herbs we would turn to for stress are the adaptogens – with some backup support from nervines. Adaptogens are herbs that support our endocrine system, increase endurance, and help reduce stress induced impairment. These are tonic herbs, used in various traditions for centuries and suitable for use over extended periods of time. Herbs such as rhodiola, ashwaganda, eleutherococcus, holy basil, and reishi are all considered adaptogens. Some have a more stimulating effect then others; some more soothing. It can be worthwhile to experiment with them to see how you will personally respond. The benefits of these herbs are seen when taken daily for long periods of time.
Reishi.
Nervines
Nervines can be taken as an adjunct. These are herbs that act as restoratives to the nervous system. I think of nervines as herbs that have an almost immediate right now today action. Drink a cup of lemon balm tea and your spirit is lifted. Nervines make me feel better now. Adaptogens act over time to make me feel better a month from now. Lavender, lemon balm, spearmint, chamomile, skullcap, and passionflower are all nervines. In my experience each herbalist has herbs that they feel an affinity for and work with most closely. If I feel that lemon balm is one of the best most tonic nervines available to us that does not preclude another herbalist feeling the same about catnip. It doesn’t mean I am “right” or that they are “wrong.” I want to match up the herbs to the person I am helping. We are working with the person not the disease.
Lemon Balm.
Herbs and Stress
As we move through the pandemic we need whatever supports we can muster. I am resigned now to accepting that any woods walk where I meet fewer than 5 people qualifies as alone time. I am working on living in my body with its extra quarantine pounds. My partner has been through 3 separate 14 day self isolation periods and there will probably be another. I have been blessed. Me and mine are all safe. Its been a bit like watching the tide come in. While this be the moment that the wave rushes in up and over your shoes? Some days the pandemic is a lot. When I think of all the people who have died I feel like I’m drowning. By working with herbs I can lighten my load – take a few bricks out of the backpack. When my load is lighter it is easier for me to be there for others and help to lighten their load.
I have a recipe for adaptogen balls, I will check the office and see if I can find it and post it here tomorrow.