Small Steps, Sensible Choices, Superior Health.

Managing Your Stress Health

Stress has become THE lifestyle disease in today's world. Managing our stress health is just as important as our physical health. 

The typical conversation today revolves around people complaining about their job or unemployment, finances, family, relationships, poor health, the list goes on and on. 

But here's the point!

Once in awhile is okay, but not when it becomes your lifestyle.

If that's you, take a deep breath and think about making some changes.

Identifying your Stress Health Level

• The doctor's definition: a psychological and physiological response to situations that disturb our general stability.
• Fight-or-Flight Response is the release of the adrenaline hormone which is the body's defense mechanism.
• The symptoms you feel like a thumping heart, tense muscles, shortness of breath, profuse sweating are all from the adrenaline release.
  

Improving Your Stress Health

Stress is an inevitable part of life. Rather than be a victim and let it ruin your health, learn to identify the triggers and then figure out a game plan to handle it.

Deep Breathing Exercise is one of the easiest and fastest ways to manage nervous tension and anxiety and you can do it anytime and anywhere.

Sleep, try to get the recommended 7-9 hours per night so the body can repair it's systems, if that's not possible, six hours is the minimum.

Exercise is a good way to flush those negative toxins and hormones out of your system. Even though you're busy, do something that will get your heart pumping and your body sweating for 15 minutes, 3-5 times per week.

Natural Supplements, vitamins and herbs can help keep your stress health in check by supporting your brain and your nervous system.

Some that you may find helpful include:

• B-Complex capsules
• Ginkgo Biloba Extract
• Valerian
• Magnesium 

Some people find Aromatherapy and essential oils to be helpful. Some that you might find soothing and relaxing to your stress health would be:

• lavender
• citrus
• chamomile  

Yoga is a good option especially if you can't do aerobic exercises. Some types are better than others, so do your homework.

Massage, if you have the resources, is a wonderful way to relieve your mind, relax your body and discard toxins. If you can't afford a professional, a soothing back rub from your spouse is the next best thing.

Hobbies are great mental distraction, if you don't think you have the time, again, you're missing the point!

You need to schedule in some "personal" time for your health and well being.  Golf takes more time than raising tropical fish, so find an activity that will work in your life.

Need some ideas, check out the top 10 for relief

Friends or a support network can be an invaluable resource to help manage and support your well being.

Just knowing you have someone to talk with, or someone to exchange services with like babysitting or carpooling can be be your saving grace in a moment of need.

To help develop a social network consider joining a church or a group that has similar interests as you. 

Prayer and Meditation is a proven tension tamer. Take some quiet time to pray or meditate.

We believe that God doesn't give us anything we can't handle. So if the situation is beyond our control, we just turn it over to God and let him help us carry that burden.

Results of Uncontrolled Stress

43% of all adults, worldwide, suffer from physical problems directly related to stress.

In fact, it accounts for 75% to 90% of all the ailments that require a doctor visit

Research has shown that constant, unmanaged stress and worry does have a negative affect on your health.

If you are living everyday in a "pressure cooker", you're probably going to experience some bothersome but non-life threatening conditions.

Minor Stress Symptoms

Minor stress symptoms can be a warning bell and may include: 

• digestive problems
• muscle aches
• headaches
• insomnia
• increased viral infections
• lack of energy
  

However, by running your body in "high gear" all the time, your body is constantly experiencing the flight or fight response:

• excessive adrenaline
• increased heart rate 
• constricted arteries. 

God gave us the "flight or fight" response for "occasional use only" it's not supposed to be a lifestyle.

Diseases Caused by Chronic Stress

Chronic stress will develop it you don't heed your body's warning bells.  Unfortunately many diseases can be caused as a result of chronic stress:

• cancer
• heart disease
• stroke
• obesity
• fibromyalgia
• arthritis
• diabetes
• ulcer
• asthma
• depression 
• Parkinson's and Alzheimer's
• suicide
  

Good Stress

Not all stress is bad.  There are many positive forms of stress that include:

• childbirth
• achieving a goal
• moving to a new place
• starting a new life.

How much stress is too much? To measure your stress level click here.

Additional Resources

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