Natural Health Chat ~ Susanne Morrone, BS, CNC ~ The Bridge to a Healthier Life!
aboutconsultlearningmediahealthyonline

 

Been Stressed Lately?
By Susanne Morrone, CNC

We’ve all heard the phrase “Stress is a killer.”  Stress can also be a positive thing, a motivator that at times changes how we approach obstacles, challenging us to persevere when the heat is turned up, building character as a result. A pressing deadline that needs to be met can be very stressful, so we shift into high gear, meet the deadline and feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment.  At what point do we cross the line from motivator to killer? It’s a subject worth considering since millions of Americans are suffering health consequences from long-term stress.  To give us an idea of the numbers affected, The American Psychological Association conducted a stress survey in America.  According to their press release of October 24, 2007,  some significant findings were:

  • Money and work continue as the leading causes of stress for three quarters of Americans, a dramatic increase over the 59 percent reporting the same sources of stress in 2006.
  • The housing crisis is having an effect on many, with half of Americans (51 percent) citing rent or mortgage costs as sources of stress this year.
  • Nearly half of all Americans report that stress has a negative impact on both their personal and professional lives
  • About one-third (31 percent) of employed adults have difficulty managing work and family responsibilities and 35 percent cite jobs interfering with their family or personal time as a significant source of stress.
  • Stress causes more than half of Americans (54 percent) to fight with people close to them. One in four people report that they have been alienated from a friend or family member because of stress, with 8 percent connecting stress to divorce or separation.

Stress affects us both physically and behaviorally. The next two sections identify some of the affects as well as tried-and-true ways to meet stress with success. 

Physiological Impacts

At various times in our lives we’ve all experienced low energy, fatigue, short temper, anger, boredom, nervousness, tiredness, sadness, headache, neck and shoulder tightness, upset stomach and looking older from periods of stress.  Long-term unaddressed stress results in high blood pressure, kidney malfunction, heart disease, skin disorders, nervous breakdown, and unexplained weight gain around the waist and stomach.

Cardiovascular impact from stress can be a life-threatening one. Surviving a heart attack, one usually realizes “I’ve got to do things differently.  It’s not worth dying for.” There’s a common phenomenon with some people who register normal blood pressure when taken at their doctor’s office; yet it surges to dangerous levels when facing a daily challenge.  These personality types who react with resultant blood pressure spikes have been termed “hot reactors.” They are usually in denial that they are suffering from stress and live with constant fear, doubt, worry, anger and the like. Life to them is one continual hardship after another.

A very dangerous result of long-term unaddressed stress is myocardial contraction band necrosis or contraction band lesions. These are microscopic bands of dead cells which weaken the heart from the inside out.  How does this occur? A primary reason lies with the heavy drain on the adrenal glands.  They’re pumping out adrenaline and nor-adrenaline which should be reserved for the fight or flight times.  Being pursued by an attack dog with a fierce growl and teeth bared or needing to lift a heavy object off of an injured person who cannot move would be examples of times when this is fight or flight is advantageous. But, people are living in the fight or flight mode in their daily lives.  This continual coursing of hormones puts “nicks” in the vessels and in the heart.  Autopsies on humans who were neither obese nor sedentary have demonstrated these lesions. This means they can occur in people who appear very healthy, even runners and other types of athletes, who are inundated from stress. So that we don’t get stressed out talking about the affects of stress, let’s now consider the ways to deal with it successfully.

"The only difference between a diamond and a lump of coal is that the diamond had a little more pressure put on it."

 

Positive De-Stressors

  1. Deep Breathing – This will activate the centers of the brain for relaxation and increase our creative mental energy. Breathe slowly, with deep, regular breaths so the mind will calm down.

  2. Therapeutic Massage – This is not a luxury; people who have experienced its benefits consider it a necessity. Deep tissue massage removes wastes by direct finger pressure across the grain of the muscles. Chronic patterns of tension that have accumulated from stress are alleviated. Scar tissue can also be broken up with this massage technique. Another is Swedish massage. The therapist will knead, stroke, stretch, tap, and use friction to cleanse, stimulate and relax. Those with injuries find massage helps speed rehabilitation. Dialog between you and your licensed massage therapist will help determine what will be just right for you.

  3. Regular Exercise - Find something you enjoy doing for exercise and be regular about it. Whether riding a bike, long walks with Fido, playing tennis, dancing or martial arts, make it a part of your healthy regimen. Tissues are oxygenated and mental outlook is improved.

  4. Good Nutrition – When folks are stressed they usually snack, graze or pick on fast finger foods that are simple carbs in refined packaged goods. Healthy meals go by the wayside. We require healthy food to maintain health and balance. At especially stressful times, slow down, think about what Hippocrates said: “Let food be thy medicine.” Choose food that will give us nutrients to meet the ravages caused by stress. Fresh fruit and vegetables along with high-quality proteins. Whole grains, sprouts, nuts and seeds, sea greens, fermented organic soy foods are common choices for those who are vegetarians. Non-vegetarians would benefit from seafood, salmon, and organic free-range poultry. If you eat dairy products you may want to consider switching to organic sources to avoid unwanted chemicals. The mineral potassium can help reduce the stress-related high blood pressure mentioned earlier. Likewise magnesium is essential for muscle relaxation, including the heart. Potassium and magnesium-rich foods include seafood, poultry and fish, avocados, kiwis, wild salmon, bananas, seeds, whole grains potatoes, dark leafy green vegetables, nuts, legumes, poultry, seafood whole grains, and dairy. Don’t really have an appetite, juicing may be the ticket for you. Fresh organic vegetable juice not only tastes delicious and satisfying it also supplies many of the essential minerals and vitamins needed during stressful times.

  5. Supplements - There’s a vast array of approaches to keep up adrenal nourishment during times of stress. I personally like Royal Jelly from the bee kingdom, a very high source of B5 or pantothenic acid to nourish the adrenals. There are liquid ginseng/royal jelly combinations. Green drinks are superb. For a vitamin approach, Vitamin C along with B5 provides adrenal support. B complex formulations are available, along with herbal and glandular adrenal supports. Schizandra berry is excellent for adrenal nourishment and can be found in a number of high-quality herbal-based stress formulas. SAM-e helps with synthesizing brain chemicals for improved mood and is helpful with depression, along with a B vitamin complex. Your local health food store can be a resource for quality natural options. Ask for assistance from a knowledgeable staff member.

  6. Humor- Write down your favorite jokes, or funny family stories. When the everyday stresses start to get you out of sorts, make yourself take a few minutes and go to your “humor file." Take a seat away from what you’ve been doing. Deep breathe for a few minutes, open the file, and concentrate on the words. Think of the occasion where these things occurred. You’ll crack a smile or perhaps laugh out loud. Keep a favorite funny book or movie handy. Call a friend who always lifts your spirits. Laughter can often diffuse the stress.

  7. Prayer and Meditation – We ask our Heavenly Father to take our burdens and walk with us through our stressful times. Spiritual strength and meditation on the bigger picture keeps the stresses of life in check.

  8. Emotional Freedom Technique - One of the most exciting natural techniques to come along in years is a combination of tapping on acupressure points combined with audible positive affirmations. It is called Emotional Freedom Technique developed by Gary Craig. Whereby acupuncture and acupressure have been likened to a gentle, flowing stream, EFT is Niagara Falls to bring about balance in a very short time.

One can hardly cover the topic of stress without mentioning Dr. Hans Selye. He’s the world-famous neuro-endocrinologist who’s considered the father of the stress field.   Dr. Selye said, “Every stress leaves an indelible scar, and the organism pays for its survival after a stressful situation by becoming a little older.” But he also said, “Let stress be the spice life.”  Use the spice sparingly, just enough to flavor our days with accomplishment and satisfaction for making the world a better place. When it gets too spicy, cool it down with the 8 suggestions listed above!   

Top of Page

 

About NHC | Articles | About Susanne | Healthy Living | Learning Store | Lectures | Media Center | Policies | Online Store | Workshops | Contact

Natural Health Chat offers health and nutrition advice, with information on alternative medicines, herbal supplements, natural remedies and low fat recipes.

Disclaimer: Information presented is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. Statements about products and health conditions have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Products and information presented herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult your preferred healthcare professional.