On living in survival mode and how magnesium can help with stress levels
My twin boys were diagnosed with autism in 2022 at the age of 3. Before this, it felt like we were finally coming out of "survival mode." But with this diagnosis, we found ourselves right back there. My husband and I had so many concerns and stressors.
What would a diagnosis of ASD mean for our twins? Would they have a normal life? Could we handle the demands of raising children with special needs? How would we afford all the therapy and resources they needed? Would they ever speak again?
To say my stress levels were high would be an understatement. I didn’t know how to cope. I stress ate, exercised too little, and made poor eating choices. But hey, I thought I had the perfect excuse: stress!
Ladies, when our cortisol (stress hormone) is high, all other hormones take a back seat. Your body believes you’re fighting a tiger, so basic survival becomes the only priority. As a hormone coach, I’ve learned that when one hormone is out of balance, it creates a ripple effect on the rest (remember, we have over 50 different hormones!). This is why we experience symptoms—our body’s way of nudging us to make changes.
It took me three years of hard work to make the changes that have helped me become a better wife, daughter, and mother to two amazing boys. Now, I’m ready to share all those tools with you.
Here’s my pro tip on magnesium
Magnesium is responsible for over 600 functions in your body. On stressful days, supplementing with magnesium can help:
Calm the nervous system
Decrease blood sugar and regulate insulin
Promote thyroid health
Support sleep
Assist proper progesterone function
Despite its importance, many people are unaware of just how crucial magnesium is for their overall health, particularly when it comes to stress reduction and hormone balance. If you’re feeling the effects of stress or struggling with hormone-related imbalances, magnesium supplementation might be the key to helping you restore balance and improve your well-being.
The many roles of magnesium
Magnesium is involved in many physiological processes that impact both physical and mental health. It is especially important for:
Heart Health: Magnesium is essential for maintaining proper cardiac function. It helps stabilize the membrane of heart cells, ensuring smooth and efficient functioning of the heart. Without magnesium, our hearts cannot function properly. In fact, magnesium is considered the single most important nutrient for heart health.
Energy Production and Mitochondrial Support: The majority of magnesium in the body is found in the mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells. Magnesium is necessary for the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the primary energy currency of the body. Without sufficient magnesium, our cells, including those in the heart, cannot produce enough energy, leaving us fatigued and vulnerable.
Detoxification: Magnesium plays an important role in detoxifying the body by neutralizing toxins and supporting the body’s ability to excrete heavy metals. This detox support also benefits the cells, ensuring they function at their best and are not burdened by harmful substances.
Bone and Tooth Health: While calcium often gets the spotlight when it comes to bone health, magnesium is just as important. Around 60% of magnesium is stored in the bones, particularly in the surface layer where it can be mobilized for the body’s needs. Magnesium also supports the health of your teeth, playing a significant role in enamel strength and decay resistance.
Psychological Well-being: Magnesium plays a crucial role in brain function and mental health. The brain has a high concentration of magnesium, which makes it particularly vulnerable to deficiency. Low magnesium levels can increase the risk of irritability, anxiety, depression, poor memory, and even aggression. This is because magnesium helps regulate the release of serotonin, the brain’s “feel-good” hormone, which is essential for mood stability.
Magnesium’s stress-reducing ability
One of magnesium’s most impressive benefits is its ability to help reduce stress. Magnesium has a natural tranquilizing effect on the body and supports the adrenal glands, which are responsible for our stress response. When we are under stress, our bodies use up magnesium at a rapid rate. Supplementing with magnesium can help replenish this important mineral and ensure the body can respond to stress more effectively.
Magnesium also helps regulate the sympathetic nervous system, which controls the body’s "fight or flight" response. By calming the sympathetic nervous system, magnesium helps reduce feelings of anxiety and tension, contributing to a more relaxed state. This makes it an excellent natural remedy for managing chronic stress, anxiety, and even insomnia.
Magnesium and your hormone health
Magnesium supports many aspects of hormonal balance. One key area is its ability to help raise the body’s natural levels of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is crucial for immune function, bone health, and even mood regulation, but it can only be effectively utilized in the body when magnesium is present. Magnesium also supports potassium absorption and helps regulate sodium levels, maintaining the delicate sodium-potassium balance required for optimal health.
Additionally, magnesium’s calming effects extend to the adrenal glands, which regulate the release of stress hormones such as cortisol. By supporting the adrenal glands, magnesium helps to prevent the overproduction of cortisol during times of stress, which can lead to hormone imbalances if left unchecked.
Magnesium can help with better sleep
If stress is keeping you up at night, magnesium could be a game-changer. Known for its muscle-relaxing properties, magnesium can help ease tension and promote better sleep. It works by binding to GABA receptors in the brain, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for calming the nervous system and preparing the body for rest. By supplementing with magnesium, you may find it easier to relax and fall asleep, leading to better sleep quality and reduced nighttime anxiety.
Magnesium can help with mental health
Magnesium’s role in mental health cannot be overstated. Deficiency in this essential mineral has been linked to a variety of psychological issues, including irritability, depression, anxiety, and even more severe symptoms such as panic attacks and anger. The brain requires magnesium to function properly, and without it, the release of serotonin is impaired. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of well-being and happiness, and a lack of it is commonly associated with mood disorders.
Magnesium can act as a natural mood stabilizer, helping to reduce the risk of mood swings, irritability, and anxiety. For those struggling with stress or emotional imbalances, magnesium supplementation could provide significant relief.
Don’t overlook magnesium!
Magnesium is an essential mineral that supports many functions in the body, particularly in reducing stress and promoting hormonal health. Whether you’re looking to reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, support heart health, or balance your hormones, magnesium is an excellent and often overlooked solution. Given its role in over 600 enzyme systems and its significant impact on both physical and mental health, ensuring you have adequate magnesium levels through diet or supplementation could be a key factor in living a more balanced and healthier life.
So, if you’re feeling stressed or noticing a dip in your energy levels, it might be time to consider adding magnesium to your wellness routine. Your body—and your mind—will thank you for it.
