WHAT IS STRESS AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOU
WHAT IS STRESS AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOU
There are times in our lives when we feel stressed. But stress isn’t always a bad thing. When stress is balanced and at healthy levels it helps you stay alert when needed, keep you calm amongst chaos, avoid accidents, meet challenges and deadlines, plan events, and keep you focused when studying for exams.
Stress affects people in different ways. What is stressful for one person may not be stressful for another. It can be dynamic for some but challenging for others. A good example of this would be public speaking, some love the buzz of it while others are struck down with fear.
So What is Stress?
Stress is caused by a trigger that causes a biological response. When the body senses danger or a threat it goes into a fight or flight response. This is a survival mechanism to help us react to life threatening situations. The hypothalamus in the brain sends signals to release chemicals and hormones including adrenaline/epinephrine and cortisol which stimulates the body into emergency action. The Sympathetic Nervous System jumps into action and this is why you may have feelings of your heart pounding or racing, sweating and your breath quickening. Your blood pressure rises, muscles tighten, insulin production is inhibited and your senses become sharper. These physical responses prepare you to either fight or flight from the danger perceived. These stress responses are the body's way of protecting us.
If your stress levels are well balanced the stress should be temporary. Once the danger has shifted the fight or flight responses should return to their natural state ie, your heartbeat will be normal, breathing should slow down, muscles will relax and sweating stopped.
In todays high paced, demanding and hectic world we tend to be continuously stressed or in an heightened state. We can be stressed over work, school, financial issues, deadlines, traffic, friendships, relationships, arguments, commitments, children, caregiving, death, divorce, moving house, Covid 19 and world issues, the list is extensive.
When you keep experiencing this heightened fight or flight response, your survival system is always switched on which can lead to acute stress or chronic stress, and you will start to experience stress overload. The first signs of this overload can be feelings such as irritability, worry, anger, loneliness, sadness, fatigue, over-reacting, overwhelmed, feeling isolated, frustrated, moody, fearful, discontentment and having a negative attitude.
If left untreated secondary responses start to show. These responses disrupt your body systems which can lead to serious health problems such as increasing the risk of a heart attack, stroke, autoimmune diseases, suppressed immune system, allergies, eczema, digestion issues, reproductive issues, increased ageing, adrenal fatigue, weight problems, sleep problems, unexplained aches and pain, headaches and mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, foggy brain, and memory problems.
How to Overcome Stress
Stress can be treated.
Remember, some stress is a normal part of life but too much stress is harmful to your physical, spiritual, mental, health and wellness. In order to transform stress the first thing is to identify the things that cause the stress or what triggers the stress and find ways that you can avoid or cope with these things.
In Kinesiology we look for the underlying issue that are causing the stress, where the stress has come from and when it started. It could relate to hormonal issues such as aldosterone, cortisol and epinephrine. Other areas that could be explored are the adrenals, nutrition, toxins, emotions, the base chakra, brain physiology, blood chemistry, blood anatomy or meridians and age recession. During a Kinesiology session I will work with the area that shows the priority and then corrections will be applied such as sound healing, flower essences, chakras, nadi’s holograms, aura balancing, acupressure points or a meridian from traditional Chinese medicine Every client is different and every Kinesiology balance is tailored to each individual client needs.
In the meantime, If you are feeling stressed there are many techniques that can help you. It is important to exercise regularly, eat well balanced nutritious food eliminating or minimising tea, coffee, caffeine and refined carbohydrates. Find things that are enjoyable for you, stay socially connected, take time to rest and relax, do self care, get out into nature, try mindfulness, go for walks and enjoy the beach.
You should always see your GP and have an overall health check.