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You're eating right and exercising regularly. You're watching your portions. You've added in all the "right" things, and taken away the things you feel were standing in the way. Yet, you still struggle with achieving the goals you're seeking. Why?

For many people, this becomes an issue at one point along their wellness journey. It can be very frustrating and also lead to decreased motivation. They are working hard, yet not seeing the results they are looking for. Over time, many give up their efforts, feeling hopeless, that it will never happen for them.

Before you consider giving up, let's take a closer look at a common culprit - stress. Even if you eat the cleanest diet and exercise on a daily basis, stress can still sabotage your goals. Stress is not as simple as many think. You don't go on vacation once a year or take a day off and get rid of it. The effects of even minor stress can be cumulative and they can linger.

When we are under stress, the body perceives a threat, and, instinctively, our sympathetic nervous system is activated. This is our "fight or flight" response, which causes our body to release stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. This hormone cascade affects other hormones, such as insulin. At the same time, other functions, such as digestion are inhibited. If digestive processes are inhibited, the enzymes and reactions needed to properly digest the foods we eat do not occur, leading to improper break down, assimilation and absorption of what we consume.

Many of you may be thinking, big deal, so you get a little bloating, gas or heartburn, right? Well, actually, what many people don't realize is that it can be much more than that. Over time, eating without proper digestion can contribute to things like inflammation and imbalances in the bacteria of the gut, in addition to a multitude of digestive issues. Many experts believe that these conditions can play a role in the development of other chronic problems.

Stress is everywhere! There is no way to completely avoid it. It is how you manage stress that is important. My top five suggestions to mitigate some of the stress of daily life? Nourish and move the body to give it the resources it needs to function. Chew food thoroughly to take away some of the work of digestion. Pay attention to the body's signals, they may be subtle clues or even cries for help. Slow down, breathe, be present in every moment. Be kind and positive to yourself and others.