Sarah George is a complementary health practitioner specialising in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). She is a director of Corporate Health Strategies Australia where she develops simple and effective plans for health in the workplace resulting in greater happiness and increased productivity. With a passion for complementary medicine since her teens, Sarah has researched and worked with a variety of modalities including TCM remedial massage, acupuncture, herbal medicine, aromatherapy, nutrition, medical devices and martial arts. Sarah is committed to practicing, understanding and sharing simple and effective ways for modern people to feel well and reach their highest potential.

THE DANGERS OF HIDDEN STRESS

It never fails to amaze me how often stress creeps into people's lives without them being aware. Anything from worries about your work targets, financial pressure, sitting in traffic each day or relationship issues can place stress on your body, and you may be too busy to even notice it's happening. When the cause of the stress is out of your control and unresolved, it creates ill health.

Research tells us that prolonged stress plays a major part in illness. Lowered immunity leading to colds and flus, slow healing wounds, poor memory, disturbed sleep, headaches, muscular pain, digestive disorders and high blood pressure, and these are just some of the signs associated with chronic stress.

Learning to manage the inevitable stresses in your life is a must for good health. Here are some essential tips for maintaining a more relaxed, healthful lifestyle:

• Magnesium – this mineral is deficient in most people's diets. Magnesium calms nerve function; harmonises mental and emotional imbalances including irritability, depression, sleep disorders and PMS; relaxes tight muscles; supports digestive elimination and a lot more. Food sources of magnesium include raw nuts, whole grains, vegetable greens, legumes and sea vegetables.

• Herbal medicine – There are a number of herbs that assist you to cope with stress. Withania is one of the ginsengs which also has a calming effect. St John's Wort has been popularised for depression but is also a superior nervine tonic. Lavender dates back centuries to the Romans and has a long history in calming those under stress.

• Diet – Recent research has shown that stress actually makes us crave junk food. However, by supporting yourself with a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, good quality proteins and fats, you will be in a position for dealing with stress more easily without needing to reach for junk food.

• Exercise – A short walk at lunchtime, playing squash after work, or a martial arts class might be just what you need to get your body moving and shifting that tension that has accumulated in your neck, shoulders and the rest of your body.

• ‘You' time – this may be one of the most important and also hardest things to do. Make time each week for peaceful, relaxing time just for you. This is often difficult to do at home with partners, children or even the housework vying for your time. If this is the case, book yourself a weekly treatment to help yourself unwind without distractions – it could be massage, acupuncture or counselling. Yoga, tai chi and meditation classes are also good ‘you' time.

And have a beautiful day!

Sarah