Stress. We are all too familiar with that term. Whether it is getting through the whirl of the holidays, facing tax season, trying to plan an upcoming vacation, or the day to day demands of getting the kids to daycare, hitting that deadline at work, balancing it all; stress is familiar to every one of us. It’s so common, it’s become one of the symptoms most frequently reported to doctors.
It may seem like an inevitable part of daily life, but chronic stress can be linked to a host of ailments including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression — even substance abuse. In the United States, the economic toll of stress-related illness exceeds $200 billion annually.
Stress and its effects
Stress is any pressure, perceived or actual, that is placed upon the body. Even healthy activity, such as exercise, “stresses” the body. Stress can be purely physical, such as a viral infection or toxin exposure, or stress can be purely psychological, such as excessive worrying. Whatever the cause, the body’s “stress response” is very similar. The body secretes Adrenaline and Cortisol in response to stress.
When our bodies remain in an increased state of alertness, it can lead to insomnia, anxiety, confusion and amnesia. Physically, the increased heart rate and blood pressure during acute stressors can eventually become heart disease and high blood pressure. Coping with ongoing stress can lead to overeating as well as alcohol or chemical dependencies. These often arise from our attempt to correct underlying imbalances.
How to protect ourselves from stress
So we know what stress is and what it can do to us but how do we protect ourselves from it leading to unhealthy dependencies? We can begin by identifying and eliminating stressors. Next, learning healthy coping mechanisms such as proper breathing, meditation, yoga or exercise can greatly modulate one’s response to stress and help release internalized stress. Finally, it may be necessary to consult a professional for help correcting hormonal and neuro-chemical imbalances in order to restore balance and support the body’s ability to combat ongoing stress. This may include vitamins, minerals, herbs, glandulars, amino acids or hormones.
The important thing is to take an active approach to dealing with stress. You – and your body – will be glad you did.
Tags: Adrenaline, Cortisol, Depression, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Ongoing Stress, Stress, Stress Response, Stress-Related Illness, Substance Abuse, Toxin Exposure
