Unwrapping Genetic Responses: Navigating Stress During The Holidays

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Your DNA can decide how you deal with holiday stress. This show reveals how your genes can make or break your reaction to seasonal anxiety—and gives you the personalized tools to keep calm and carry on.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by holiday stress?

If so, you're not alone. Many of us fall into the trap of thinking stress is inevitable this time of year and there's nothing we can do about it. But chronic stress can seriously damage your health and happiness.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:

• How your genetics influence your stress response
• Effective strategies tailored to your genetic tendencies to better manage holiday stress
• Why self-care should be a priority, not an afterthought, this season

The holidays don't have to be stressful. Tune in to learn how to navigate the season with more joy and less tension.

 Special Message from Dr. Tamar Lawful: Discover the InHer Glow® Concierge Wellness Experience , a precision health program designed exclusively for high-achieving women ready to lose weight, boost energy, and reduce medications without guesswork. Spots are limited! Apply today at thelyfebalance.com/concierge

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Episode Transcript

Dr. Tamar (00:58):
Holidays are a time of joy, but they can also spike
our stress levels tounimaginable heights.
By better understanding ourgenetic response to stressors,
we can navigate these high tidetimes with patience and grace.
So if you're feelingoverwhelmed as the holiday
season takes off, don't worry.
Stick with us to identify someeffective strategies to manage

(01:21):
holiday stress in harmony withyour genetics.
Welcome to Pivoting Pharmacywith Nutrigenomics.
Part of the Pharmacy PodcastNetwork, a must-have resource
for pharmacist entrepreneursseeking to enhance patient care
while enjoying career and life.
Join us as we pivot intoNutrigenomics, using pharmacy

(01:43):
and nutrition for truepatient-focused care.
Explore how to improve chronicconditions rather than just
manage them.
Celebrate entrepreneurialtriumphs and receive priceless
advice.
Align your values with a careerthat profoundly impacts
patients.
Together, we'll raise thescript on health and pivot into

(02:03):
a brighter future.
Before you listen in, I want tothank our listener of the week,
lh Scott, who says great info.
These podcasts provide greatinformation to help you
understand medication, geneticsand weight loss.
Lh Scott, thank you for tuningin, for learning with us and for

(02:25):
taking the time to share thesekind words.
My team and I truly appreciateit and we look forward to
continuing this journey with you.
So for you listening out thereand remember when you leave us a
five-star review, you'll getthe chance to be featured as our
next listener of the week andI'll give you a shout out right
here on the show.
Hello, hello and welcome toepisode 16 of Pivoting Pharmacy

(02:50):
with Nutrigenomics.
I'm Dr Tamar Lawful , Doctor ofPharmacy and Certified
Nutritional Genomics Specialist.
You know we are in holidayseason.
Hanukkah ended last week,Christmas is three days away and
Kwanzaa starts in four days.
Whichever holiday you celebrate, I'm sure you feel that tingle

(03:11):
of excitement and joy.
The twinkling lights, the sweetsmell of freshly baked cookies,
the warmth of being surroundedby loved ones all contribute to
that magical feeling.
But it even amidst these joyousmoments, stress often creeps in
and unexpectedly takes centerstage.
You may start feeling thepressure of finding the perfect

(03:34):
gifts for everyone, planningelaborate meals, making sure the
house is immaculately decorated, all while juggling work
commitments and daily tasks,coupled with managing holiday
budgets and navigating yourfamily dynamics.
The holiday season can present asignificant source of stress.
This tension is exacerbated bythe societal expectation that

(03:57):
the holidays are supposed to bean all joy, no stress time.
We're led to believe thateverything should be perfect,
that we should be bustling withendless energy in holiday chair.
In reality, it is normal forstress levels to escalate during
this period, but an importantquestion arises how does this

(04:18):
stress affect us at a geneticlevel and, more importantly, how
can understanding our geneticresponses to stress help us
navigate the holiday season moretranquilly and healthfully?
That's what we're going toexplore in this episode.
So if you're feelingoverwhelmed as the holiday
season takes off, relax as weunwrap genetic responses and

(04:40):
identify effective strategies tomanage holiday stress in
harmony with your genetics.
We all fall into the trap ofthinking that stress is an
unavoidable part of the holidayseason and we have no control
over it.
It's a notion that's ingrainedin us due to social conditioning
and our personal experiences,right.

(05:01):
However, it's important toremember that chronic stress can
wreak havoc on your health andwell-being.
I want to know how do youhandle stress?
Are you perhaps making anattempt to eat away stress or,
conversely, starve it out?
Our quick, fixed strategies,although providing temporary
relief, often worsen thesituation because they are

(05:23):
typically neither helpful normanageable in the long run.
The underlying belief here isthat we have no control over our
body's responses to stress.
When we don't address stressproperly, we put ourselves at
risk of developing conditionslike anxiety, depression,
digestible stress and stress.
We are not going to be able toaddress stress, anxiety,
depression, digestive problems,headaches, no-transcript.

(05:48):
But what if I told you that itdoesn't have to be this way?
By understanding our individualgenetic responses to stress, we
can develop better, moreeffective coping mechanisms.
By customizing our response, wenot only handle stress better,
but also improve our overallhealth and well-being.
Specific genetic variations caninfluence the way we perceive

(06:11):
and react to stress, potentiallymodulating the effects of
stress on overall health.
These genetic vulnerabilitiescan influence responses to the
external environment, shapemotivated behavior and have an
impact on health throughout ourlife.
For instance, people with thevariant SNP-RS4680 the COMT gene

(06:33):
, the Catechol-O -methyltransferase gene, often struggle
with stress and anxiety.
Understanding this, they cantake a proactive approach by
adopting diet and lifestylechanges that suit their genetics
rather than a one-size-fits-allapproach is an enzyme that

(06:53):
plays a role in the breakdown ofcertain neurotransmitters, in
particular dopamine, whoseimbalances are associated with
phenomena like mood disorders,stress and anxiety.
This variant SNP-RS4680 in theCompt gene causes the Compt
enzyme to function at a slowerpace, which leads to higher

(07:16):
dopamine levels, more so in aprefrontal cortex, which could
lead to increased anxiety andstress responses.
However, it's important to notethat these genetic tendencies
interact with a multitude ofother factors, like environment
or lifestyle, to define theindividual's response to stress
and anxiety.
Another example is a variationin the FKBP5 gene which can

(07:41):
impact how an individualresponds to stress.
The FKBP5 gene plays a criticalrole in the immune system
regulation and the functioningof corticoid receptors,
including progesterone,glucocorticoid and
mineralocorticoid receptors.
Certain alterations in thisgene can lead to reduced

(08:04):
production of cortisol and apredisposition to depression,
particularly after experiencinga significant life trauma.
So how can you manage stresswhen you have a heightened
response to stress due to yourgenetics?
First, we definitely want toeat healthy, exercise regularly
and get enough sleep.

(08:24):
I can't stress how importantthose three things are eating
healthy exercise regularly andgetting enough sleep.
Second, you can try relaxationexercises like yoga and deep
breathing massage or meditationon a regular basis.
And third, journal writing toexpress your thoughts and

(08:45):
gratitude.
We need to focus on a positiveand recognize that there is so
much that we have to be thankfulfor.
Fourth, engage in hobbies likereading or listening to music
anything that you like and youfind enjoyment from.
It's important to make thosehobbies part of your life on a
regular basis.

(09:05):
Fifth, foster healthyrelationships and friendships
and communicate with loved ones.
They're here to support you.
And sixth, cultivate a sense ofhumor in your life.
Go to a comedy show, talk onNetflix and binge watch some
comedy series.
Bring back humor in your lifeand then we can volunteer.
You can volunteer for thecommunity, give back to others

(09:29):
and, finally, seek professionalcounseling if needed.
By understanding our geneticpredispositions, we can be
empowered and prepared to builda healthier, more resilient
response to stress.
Now, with that being said, wemay still struggle through the
holiday season In our pursuit ofpersonal growth, optimal health

(09:50):
and help in others.
It's crucial to recognize thatwe're not alone in facing
challenges.
This journey can often take usthrough ups and downs that might
temporarily clatter a sense ofdirection and well-being.
But remember, my friend, thesemoments don't define you.
When the skies may seem darkand confusing, know that it's

(10:13):
okay to reach out for a helpinghand If you or someone you know
is struggling with depression ormental illness.
Don't hesitate to take the firstcrucial step by connecting with
an empathetic ear throughhelplines such as the National
Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
Professionals trained inlistening, guiding and

(10:35):
supporting you in your path tomental well-being are available
24-7 at no cost to help youthrough your trying times.
That's all I have for you,friend.
Are you ready to shift from astress-filled holiday season to
a truly joyful one?
Let me know when you connectwith me on LinkedIn at Dr Tamara
Lawful, if any part of thisconversation about stress

(10:58):
management sparked interest orresonated with you.
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Your five-star review andcomments can guide others on a
similar journey.
Subscribe, rate and downloadthis episode to ensure you're
always in the loop.
Coming up next week on the show, we're talking about the
potential to revolutionize thefuture of pharmacy with genomics

(11:20):
and cannabis.
Yep, that's right.
This deep dive will allow youto reimagine healthcare, empower
your patients and thrive inyour practice without being
confined by the traditionalpharmacy box.
So tune in next Friday and,until then, always remember in
your journey as a healthcareprofessional, always raise the

(11:42):
scripts on health, becausetogether we can bring healthcare
to higher levels.