Nearly everyone understands that stress has negative effects and that it is bad for you! But do you actually understand what stress is? Or, how it may be destroying your relationships with friends and loved ones.
As well as literally destroying your quality of life.
Every disease and illness on the planet originates with some type of stressor!
Most people associate stress as a horrible, awful feeling within.
Although, stress isnât all bad. Without it, we wouldnât be able to protect ourselves, be physical, work or perform daily functions. A certain level of stress helps us to adapt and deal with situations as they arise.
A balanced Stress Response is vital & required for normal healthy function
Compounding Long Term Stress Is The Killer
The stress that is harmful is chronic compounding stress, this can affect you negatively in multiple ways.
Our busy lives today don’t always provide a resolution to our problems and what stresses us. We go from day to day in a constant state of worry or urgency, with no real end in sight.
Add to that, poor diet and lifestyle choices and we find ourselves in a Chronically Stressed state.
Stress Response … âfight or flightâ response
Chronic Stress…Â What Actually Happens in the Body of Suffers.
These Functions are Increased when we stress
- Adrenal function
- Stress hormones flood the body raising triglycerides & the need for additional tissue repair, thereby raising cholesterol levels
- Adrenaline increases your heart rate, pushing blood to the muscles – ready to fight the tiger or run
- Breathing and heart rate go up, raising Blood pressure
- We now require more circulating oxygen and nutrients in the body
- Glucose is released into the bloodstream
- We now require energy to deal with our stressor
- Â We have increased pain and pain tolerance
- Short term stress increases alertness and performance; although, chronic stress does the opposite
These Functions are DECREASEDÂ when we stress
- Blood supply to the digestive system is decreased
- Food doesn’t digest properly
- Elimination becomes irregular – constipation or diarrhea
- Blood supply to the skin is decreased
- Cell regeneration slows (resulting in accelerated aging)
-  Immune function  is compromised
- Frequent illness
- Slow wound healing
- Thyroid function is compromised
- Slowing down metabolism
- Leading to weight gain
- Lethargy & fatigue
- Hair loss
- Sexuality and Reproductive Functions become compromised
- Cognitive performance
- Bone density
- Muscle tissue
Being in a chronic state of stress will make you look & feel miserable
Stress May Be Wrecking Your Relationships
The compounding effects of stress and poor sleep can makes you irritable and unable to relax.
As anxiety levels go up, concentration and tasks may become more difficult.
Overreacting to situations and lack of control may begin affecting your relationships with others.
The 3 Categories of Stress
I have listed the most common cause of stress…
1 – PHYSICAL STRESS
- Obesity
- Pain
- Nutritional Deficiencies
- Existing illness
- Chronic cardio
- Trauma
- Accident
- Physical abuse
- Spinal misalignment
- Poor posture
- Sedentary
- Sitting to long
- Repetitive movement
- Heavy work load / lifting
- Over heated
- Too cold
2 – CHEMICAL STRESS
- Drugs
- Medications
- Vaccines
- Street drugs
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Toxicity
- Food
- Water – chlorine, fluoride, pesticides etc.
- Air pollution
- Cleaning products
- Personal care products
- Chemical imbalances within the body
3 – EMOTIONAL STRESS
- Existing physical & mental health issues
- Pain
- Mental abuse
- Bullying
- Familyâs pressures
- Change of family dynamics
- Work pressures
- Death of a loved one
- Financial demands
- Fear and urgency
The Snowball Effect of Chronic Stress and Mood
- When STRESS HORMONES are increased THYROID HORMONES are decreased.
- When THYROID HORMONES are decreased DIGESTION is decreasedâŠ
- When DIGESTION is decreased SEROTONIN is decreasedâŠ
- When SEROTONIN is decreased MOOD is altered (for the worse)….
How Stress Affects Serotonin
Serotonin is a brain neurotransmitter. It is responsible for regulating appetite, mood, social behaviour, sexual desire, sleep and relaxation.
Itâs a âfeel good” hormone
Itâs estimated that 90% of the body’s serotonin is made in the digestive tract and 10% in the CNS (Central Nervous System). Serotonin also helps to modulate motility in the gut.
When digestive functions are decreased or compromised, this can cause absorption and elimination issues, along with gastrointestinal disorders like IBS. Chronic unaddressed digestive issues may further lead to developing autoimmune diseases.
Furthermore, low serotonin may lead to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks & insomnia.
The damage chronic stress is causing in today’s society affects everyone
 Individual Perception
Everyone deals with stressors completely different. What is difficult or scary for one person may not be a factor for another…
The above lists are just some of the stressors that come to mind; some people may relate to one or many of the above.
Stressor are extremely compounding; there are an unlimited amount of causes that can manifest stress within.
So are you seeing the big picture and understanding the snowball effect of chronic stress?
There is no magic pill or drug to help you long term.
If you want to get well “from anything” ….
You simply Must deal with your Stressors Naturally..Â
In my Natural Health Clinic I ask the right questions.
I help others to understand how the stress response works and how it may be a contributing factor in their ailment. We work together to uncover the causes/s and then work on resolving them naturally.
Moral of this story⊠DONâT STRESS!!! easier said than done…
BEFORE YOU GO!
Don’t Panic its Normal… How Medical Misdiagnosis Easily Happens
Men’s Health Week 2018! Is Men’s Health Neglected? What to Lookout for!
Is Blood Pressure Testing Flawed & Hypertension Overdiagnosed?