Are you enjoying a stress free life? Well that is amazing! No one can live without experiencing some degree of stress all the time.
There are two types of stress; good stress which we experience most days to keep us getting up and facing the day ahead. It is also the spice of life, for any emotion like sheer joy or activity like crossing a busy intersection causes stress in a good sense. Bad or negative stress is the second type of stress and this refers to stresses which can cause a negative impact on health and life. Sickness and diseases can cause physical and psychological stress as well as job pressures, family arguments, environmental toxins, financial pressures and never having enough time are just a few of the stressors most face daily resulting in experiences of negative stress emotionally and mentally.
Stress produces a biological response. Fortunately for us, control mechanisms known as stress response in the body are geared toward counteracting the everyday stress of life. However, if that stress is prolonged, extreme and unusual, the control mechanisms can be overwhelming and quite harmful. Prolonged stress places a tremendous load on many organ systems, especially the heart, blood vessels, adrenals and the immune system. Please note that your system must be prepared to deal with stress and the same stress which makes one person sick can be an exciting experience for another.
Have you ever been frightened or experience some quite invigorating sensation? Then you know what it feels like to have a surge of adrenaline through your body. Adrenaline is released by the adrenal glands located above your kidneys and it is designed to give the body that extra energy boost to escape from danger. However, it can also cause you to experience stress, anxiety and nervousness depending on the stress one is exposed to. However, it is not just the stressor but, how stress is dealt with makes the difference within our body’s response and our ability to cope positively or negatively.
Picture this scenario in your minds: You are driving across a busy carriageway on a green light which just changed. Your neighbour breaks the red light in front of you. You barely notice the vehicle on time. Your adrenaline kicks in, you slam on your breaks and your car comes to a screeching halt just an inch away from colliding with the other vehicle. Your heart starts pounding like crazy, your breathing increases, your blood pressure rises, your legs shake nervously from the anxiety experienced and you may even urinate on yourself. Now you can respond one of two ways: get angry, swear at the person, get out your vehicle to argue, feel weak from the stress to the point of collapse and not be able to drive another block. Or you could take a few deep slow breaths get your system reregulated, your blood pressure decreases and say “ wow what a narrow escape, I am alive and my vehicle is dent free” and regain a calm, composed state and continue on your way.
Coping with stress must be practised in a positive way. For many negative coping patterns take a terrible turn which destroys their health. According to Murray and Pizzorno, negative patterns can be detrimental to health. Some include: dependence on drugs, legal and illicit, alcohol and smoking. Others overeat, watch too much television, experience emotional outburst, feelings of helplessness, overspending, excessive behaviour and even lead to suicide.
Several conditions are linked to stress such as: angina, asthma, autoimmune diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, common cold, depression, diabetes (adult onset, Type II), headaches, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, menstrual disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and ulcers. Therefore managing stress is very important.
How can you do this? Simple! In order to manage your stress you must first identify your stressors and eliminate or reduce them as much as possible. Identify your negative coping pattern and replace them with positive patterns such as:
- Practice a relaxation/breathing exercise for a minimum of five minutes twice daily. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth concentrating on your breathing and feel and imagine all tension and stress leaving your body. Practicing in fresh air is very good. This calms the mind and body and helps coping with stress to become much easier.
- Develop a relax response. Whatever method works for you in a healthy manner like: sleeping, reading, listening to music, playing a sport, watch comedy shows, exercise.
- Manage your time effectively. Don’t be a perfectionist but set priorities.
- Exercise regularly relieves fatigue and depression. Feelings of inadequacy and worries diminish greatly with regular exercise. Exercise alone has been proven to have a tremendous impact on improving mood and the ability to handle stressful life situation.
- Develop and enhance communication for better relationships. Seek counseling and develop proper listening skills.
- Eliminate or restrict caffeine, refined carbohydrates and alcohol in your diet. Eat regular meals in a relaxed environment and control food allergens. Nutritional and or herbal support is sometimes necessary to help control stress.
Deal with your stress in a healthy moral manner. As a university student one of our lecturers advised us when overwhelmed with the stress of the course, go outdoors and scream to the top of your lungs. We were quite astound at his recommendation however, when stress levels were high especially around exam time screams were heard everywhere. These were followed by contented and relieved students. Take a hint!
Author: Charlene Chablal-de Gourville BSN, RN, AScn Environmental Health.
Adv Dip Holistic Nutrition (2015 candidate)
References: Murray, M., Pizzorno, J. (1998) 2nd Edition, “Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine” Three Rivers Press, New York
Produced by: Neoteric Natural Health Consultants 2015
