Stress, stress, stress. We all experience stress and with all the holidays coming up I thought now would be a good time to address how stress really affects you physically and mentally and give you some tips on how to bust that stress away.
Our bodies respond to stress both positive and negative, by trying to get back to normal. Depending on the stressor (whatever is causing you stress), hormones , like adrenalin, may surge. Your heartbeat and blood pressure will probably increase, your blood sugar rises and if you are lucky enough to be like me your entire body will be covered in hives. If stressful situations go on for too long without any relief, you might experience diseases and disorders, such as colds, ulcers, asthma, heart attack or stroke to name a few. You may feel tired, irritable, depressed or anxious and have trouble sleeping or eating.
Research has identified the stress response as a factor in many stress related illnesses. Now there is evidence that stress can weaken the immune. The hormones cortisone and adrenaline released in response to stress are such potent suppressors of the immune system that they are sometimes prescribed for disorders in which the immune system is overactive-such as allergies and autoimmune diseases.
The key is to take care of your body and your mind to avoid stress. When your mind is healthy, your body can resist illness better. When your body is healthy, your feelings are more positive.
Minimize Stress With These Tips
-Give your time to something or someone that you believe in. I do this with animal rescue and it really does work to alleviate the stress from other parts of my life. There is no better feeling than giving and helping others for the sake of being truly kind and caring.
-Avoid excessive alcohol, caffeine, fats and sugar. Don’t Smoke. What you eat and drink really affects your body and by indulging in an unhealthy diet you are really just adding to the stress. I will be the first to admit that when I feel stressed I want diet Pepsi and chocolate so I need to work on this (hard, very hard). Have an apple instead of a cookie (this really sounds not very appealing but if it works it is worth a shot).
-Exercise regularly. Whether you like to walk, do weights, or whatever it may be for you just keep moving . I always feel much better after a great workout at the gym.
-Take time for yourself to relax each day. Meditate, go sit by the water, read your favorite book. Whatever it is for you that relaxes you take even 5-10 minutes a day to do this for yourself.
-Learn to “let go” of things which are outside of your control. Learn to adapt to change. This one is hard for me a lot of the time because I want things to go my way and I keep trying so I need to work on letting it go.
Hopefully you follow at least a few of these and they help with your stress levels. Good luck!
It's a crazy world 2020!
1 year ago
22 comments:
I think that you could add to this one--Learn to forgive.
Holding a grudge; holding on to anger; seeking revenge; are all great stress builders. Some people think that a person needs to sorry before they can be forgiven--not so. Forgiveness is for the benefit of the forgiver, not the offender.
Those are all excellent tips for dealing with stress.
I am just now concluding a six-week course at the Kaiser Permente Pain Center, and mediating stress is a big topic in the course. Taught by a Phd. Psychologist, the program really pushes deep breathing as not only a good way to reduce both acute and chronic pain, but also a way to reduce stress. The theory being that you can't be relaxed and excited at the same time. The doctor recommends inhaling about six deep breaths a minute for optimum results. We are learning other techniques also, of course, but deep breathing seems to work quite well. My wife suffers from chronic pain and deep breathing helps her to cope on a day to day basis.
Excellent post, as always.
Happy trails
thanks for the tips and welcome back!:)
I really like this post and glad I found it. as a writer on health, fitness & weight loss myself, I would like to tip my hat to both you and your excellent blog.
Will be adding a link to share you with my readers!
following yours, too!
love your tips here...
Dr Jack
http://123-weightloss.blogspot.com
Thanks for your comments on my blog, really appreciate it.
Everything of the best.
Colin.
Of course, many of us experience similar sores, zits and boils that are symptoms of stress and anxiety. It is our anxiety about the very event at which we want to look our best that triggers the physical manifestation.
It's a vicious circle that's difficult to break, but your suggestions for stress relief are valuable helpers. ;-)
Post a Comment