There positive and negative types of stress:
Good stresses like failing in love, getting a new job or buying a home.But those work related issues and family issues that keep rising, it’s like fighting a bear everyday of our lives.
When triggers arise, the (SNS) Sympathetic Nervous System signals the “fight or fight response” mobilizing you to take action and avoid danger.
When your body goes into panic mode, your brain triggers adrenal glands to secrete glucocorticoid hormones like cortisol and epinephrine ( adrenaline) the rest of your body is then alerted to these symptoms preparing you for an emergency.
After the initial stress your body wants to go back to homeostasis(stable state), but if your stress reactions are too strong or too often then your body remains on high alert. Resulting in continuous stressors. This lowers your immunity defenses and making you more susceptible to illness.
*mood issues including anger, depression, lack of energy and sleeping issues.
*Increased blood pressure, high cholesterol and risk of heart attack
*Stomach cramps , reflux, and nausea.
*Reduced ability to fight and recover from illness in the immune system.
*Increased fat storage and disrupted hunger cues.
*Loss of libido, lower sperm production for men, and absent or irregular menstrual cycles in women.
*aches and pains in joints and muscles
*lower bone density
Many people will hit an exhaustion stage when the body continues in this wired state (never returning to rest) your emergency resources are depleted and body starts to shut down. It’s not natural to constantly feel like you’re being chased by a bear.
How to break this cycle?
Unfortunately a return to relaxation doesn’t occur promptly for most people. The best is finding ways to activate the relaxation response that is vital.
Try these techniques to reduce stress:
*Practice calming activities like meditation and exercise.
*Plan your schedule using daily or weekly planner.
*Organize work and living spaces to be clutter-free, peaceful environments.
*Prioritize your tasks and focus one thing at a time.
*Delegate tasks whenever possible if you feel overwhelmed.
Sources:
*Institute of Integrative Nutrition
*George Everly Jr. and Jefrey Latings’s A clinical guide to the treatment of human stress response.
*Virginia Hill Rice’s Theories of Stress and its Relationship to Health
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