Supplements ... The New Magic Pills?
By Pat Swan, MA, Wellness Coach, Mon Dec 5th

If I hear one more person suggest supplements as the cure tolife stressors I'll scream! Everywhere I go I hear someonetalking about this or that supplement, this or that herb, thisor that dietary regime as the answer to health and happiness.Over the next week or so, listen for the ads yourself and takenote.

On the radio I hear, "Are you feeling stressed? Is your lifereeling out of control? Do you have too much to do, too littletime to do it? Then send for ABC product and help protectyourself from the ravages of stress. ABC will restore yourhealth and well being"

Or one like this, "Do you suffer from heartburn or acid stomach?Is the stress in your life catching up to you? Then send for XYZproduct and solve your stomach problems."

Or I am conversing with a holistic health practitioner and Ihear, "If only so and so would get into herbs, or put a drop ortwo of this or that under their tongue every day, their problemswould be solved." How would they know what problems or lifestressors so-and-so is dealing with?

Multi-level marketers, physician offices, traditional orintegrative, it doesn't matter. All want you to ingest somemagic product to solve all your problems. Never mind that thestress is caused by behavioral habits that need to change, or bydistorted thinking that impedes success and destroysself-esteem. Never mind that relationship or financial problemskeep us awake at night. Never mind that you are fourteen yearsold, have no friends and are being harassed at school. Just takethese products and you will feel better. The only differencebetween the old and the new line is that the traditionalphysicians push chemicals and man made medicines, and holisticpractitioners push soy, herbs, and gluten-free diets.

For heaven's sake, even on a popular wellness physician'swebsite I read, "From improved energy and lowered stress levelsto a stronger immune system, our special vitamin plan has theanswers." Apparently you can answer a set of questions andmagically solve your problems as you "receive regular deliveryof your customized supplement packs." Apparently you can answera set of questions

and magically solve your problems as you"receive regular delivery of your customized supplement packs."

Unfortunately, no matter how fantastic the supplements are,stress releases damaging hormones into the system and shuts downimmune function, and no pills or supplements will reverse thatprocess. Only identifying the source of the stress, and doingsomething about it, will solve that problem.

But, unfortunately, that takes work. Quick and easy is alwayseasier to sell. It is a little harder to stop, look around, andmake life changes, than to stick something in our mouth everyday. It is much easier to merrily continue to do what we havealways done, and get what we have always gotten. And what we getis chronic stress. And chronic stress brings with it worries andfears, stomachaches, backaches and migraines, arthritis andheart disease, numerous doctor appointments, and strainedrelationships at home and at work.

What is the answer? Fortunately the answer is not as difficultas it may seem. You don't have to stop with your supplements,vitamins, yoga or meditation. Just add a few minutes a day to goinside and become aware of you. Look at your life as a pie, witheach slice a different area such as physical health, spiritualhealth, relationship health, finances, work, social, etc.Consider each area and ask yourself, "On a scale of one to ten,how do I feel about this part of my life? Do I experience stressin this area of my life?

If you identify a problem area, decide whether you want to doanything about it. If you do decide on change, develop a plan ofaction to reduce stress and improve satisfaction in that area.Then follow through with your plan. If you have troublefollowing through, or feel you would benefit from a little help,hire a life coach. They say two heads are better than one. Thereis no limit to what you can achieve with a little support and alot of encouragement from a friend.

About the author:Pat Swan, M.S., Life and Relationship Coach, Health and WellBeing Coach, author and speaker. Check out Pat's ebook, "WatchOut! Relationships Can Be Hazardous To Your Health," availableat www.StopRelationshipStress.com . Learn more about the authorand her services at www.patswan.com. Mailto:pat@patswan.com