This article discusses what is stress and how is it treated. Stress is caused by the forces of life acting upon us that can strain our mind and body.
We are designed to handle most stressors by adapting, recharging, and strengthening the parts of ourselves that are under stress. This is a balancing act as it requires the right amount of nutrients and rest to have a a healthy response to stress. The brain copes with emotional stress just like the body by handling and adapting to it.
A hurried lifestyle and anxiety can add stress to our lives. At the same time, hours hunched over phones and computers create a different kind of stress. The chest can tighten and shallowed breathing increases. As a result our oxygen levels lower and our energy decreases. When in this state, we have a tendency to eat the wrong things to try and regain some of that lost energy. Soon the eyes, neck, and head become sore which can cause chronic pain and emotional fatigue. Left untreated, stress can lead to serious health issues.
Stress can have an effect on our hormones. This is a problem because it is widespread and stress damage is cumulative. When stress is not properly managed, it can raise our cortisol levels. This reduces the levels of testosterone and estrogen which are necessary for our bodies to rejuvenate.
Stress can also affect our sleep as the hormones needed to fall asleep can be absent when cortisol levels remain high at night. Stress can affect the PH in our stomachs increasing the risk of ulcers. It can allow unhelpful bacteria to grow inside our intestines making us more prone to nutritional deficiencies. Unmanaged stress can causes us to get sick more often because of the sudden dips and gaps in our immunological responses.
When large amounts of cortisol is circulating through our blood it can affect how muscles contract and relax. Stress induced fatigue is when muscles lose their ability to return to relaxed positions when not under load, and they develop painful trigger points. Other muscle groups get recruited to assist the fatigued areas. Our joints also depend on hormones and water to stay hydrated and mobile. Stress makes us less thirsty so dehydration can set in causing joints and discs to become dry and they can be injured much more easily.
Here are seven ideas that help get stress under control.
- Get massage regularly. Massage allows you to unplug from all your electronics and just focus on inward calm. Massage counteracts the negative effect of cortisol while releasing the hormone serotonin which is needed to feel good and relieve stress.
- Meditate and improve your breathing. Meditation for ten minutes a day helps lessen anxiety. Deep breathing helps to keep your chest from collapsing and helps with oxygen distribution that directly counters stress.
- Take up Chi Gong, or Tai Chi. These Eastern based exercises have the ability to calm and relax you while giving you the benefits of blood circulation without increasing stress hormones. Certain Tai chi postures also help to increase your energy and alertness.
- Invigorate with Aromatherapy. Lavender, lemon oil, and frankincense are smells that have direct pathways to the most emotional parts of your brain and can both relax and energize without inducing stress hormones.
- Listen to uplifting music. Music can be extremely helpful at picking your mood up. A few good songs and a little dance if you feel into it can give you a five minute break to allow you to reset your feelings and emotions.
- Exercise regularly (consult with your primary care physician on which exercises are right for you). Fitness gurus have been saying for years that exercise is the best stress relief provided that you are eating properly, getting water, and getting enough sleep. It keeps various systems going that continuously counteract cortisol.
- Take the time to learn good sleep habits. Cheating sleep might seem to give you more time, or maybe you find it hard to fall asleep, but sleep loss can make you very sick over time. Proper sleep is a habit that needs to be learned if you are going to manage your stress.
Conclusion
Stress can drain the energy and health out of the most ambitious and happy people. Over time, too much stress can lead to a poor diet, little exercise, poor lifestyle decisions and energy depletion. To achieve relaxation and lasting sustainable energy you need to take stress management very seriously and put forth a realistic plan that improves your health and allows you to relax, properly manage stress, and be happy.
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- What is Aromatherapy?
- What is Music Therapy?
- What is Functional Fitness?
Content contributed by Julanne Tutty. LMT – Salem, MA – Contact Info