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| Courtesy of |
By Alan Knight
Just hearing the word can make you nervous and edgy.
Everyone feels stress from time to time, and some more than others since it is
a very personal emotion. Some people bounce back from stressful events quickly,
while some internalize emotions brought on by stress. It is incredibly
important to understand your reactions and limits resulting from stress to
avoid the health effects that often ensue.
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| The adrenal glands sit atop the kidneys. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Cavemen had stress and it’s a good thing they did. Imagine
a few people from a tribe were out in the fields innocently picking berries.
Along comes a saber-tooth tiger who suddenly see its dinner. The cavemen sense
they are in trouble and the body reacts to protect them from danger. Scientifically
speaking, the hypothalamus in the brain sends chemical triggers to the adrenal
glands, located at the top of each kidney. The adrenal glands get to work and
release hormones like cortisol, which raises blood pressure and blood sugar.
These responses are perfect for these cavemen because they are exactly what
they need to out run that tiger. Within seconds, they would be able to run
faster, see better and think more clearly. Unfortunately, they probably had to
drop the berries and run back to their caves, but at least they had the adrenaline
to do it.
This process is perfect if you need to outrun a saber-tooth
tiger, but it can be harmful to your health if sustained over time. We live in
a stressful society. We have concerns about our bosses, meeting deadlines,
money, finding affordable childcare and more. These stressors make our bodies
react the same way and the “flight or fight” response is on overdrive, causing
chronic health issues over time.
MINOR
AND MAJOR STRESS EFFECTS
Have you ever had a stomach ache before an important
presentation or become nauseous before an interview? Even these relatively
minor stresses have an impact. Fighting with a spouse or going through a divorce
is major stresses that have an even bigger impact.
When stress becomes chronic, it can interfere with your
ability to live a normal life. You might become irritable for no obvious
reason, have difficulty concentrating or feel constantly fatigued. This can
really do a number on your body and can make existing health issues worse.
IS
CORTISOL THE CULPRIT?
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| Chemical structure of cortisol. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Cortisol may also increase the amount of fat tissue that is
stored in your body and enlarge fat cells. Even higher levels of cortisol have
been linked to “deep abdominal fat” or the dreaded belly fat.
MORE
STRESS EFFECTS
Do you want to avoid a heart attack? Keep your stress at bay.
Evidence is growing that there is a relationship between stress and the
propensity for having a heart attack. “A recent study in
Health Magazine of 200,000 employees in Europe found that people who have stressful jobs and little
decision-making power at work are 23% more likely to have a first heart attack
than people with less job-related stress.”
Do you have a headache? Stress can cause it, when
the adrenaline chemicals are released. Stress also causes muscles to tense
which also results in headaches and migraines. If you grind your teeth or
stiffen your shoulders in response to stress, this only makes the headaches
worse.
Can’t sleep? Stress definitely
causes insomnia. Your mind is
running and your body is in a hyper-aroused state where you are wide awake.
Sometimes this passes quickly once the stress is over, but long term stress can
lead to more serious sleep disorders.
Am I forgetting something?
There is an association between memory
loss and stress. Cortisol is to blame again. It interferes with transmitters
that enable the brain cells to communicate with each other, leading to
difficulty with memory retrieval.
Is there too much hair left in
your brush? Chronic stress can result in hair
loss and exacerbate existing conditions.
STOP
THE MADNESS- GREAT WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR STRESS
Reducing stress right now can
have immediate benefits for you and protect your health long-term. Let’s
discuss some methods to reduce stress and promote a healthier you.
Yoga is
considered to be a synergistic combination of mind and body movements, coupled
with controlled breathing techniques. The breathing techniques learned in yoga helps
your body to stay in the “rest and digest” state which works to balance the
“flight or fight” state. The pranayama (breathing techniques), if practiced
correctly, can let our minds and bodies slip into a more restful state of
being.
Practice controlled breathing
before you go to bed. Lie down and close your eyes. Inhale and feel the breath
in the abdomen and chest. Exhale fully and try to feel the breath leave your
body. Do this practice for a full five minutes before you go to bed and see if
you can feel the difference.
GET
OUT AND MOVE
Any form of exercise can act
as a stress reliever. Exercise releases the brain’s feel-good transmitters, the
endorphins. This effect is not only achieved by runners, but any solid sweating
action can give you the same “high.”
Exercise is like meditation in
motion. Think about how you feel after an hour of swimming laps or playing a
spirited game of tennis. You find that you have forgotten the day’s woes and
feel accomplished. Your energy will be improved and you’ll be more optimistic
throughout the day.
Regular exercise can improve
your self-confidence, relax you and reduce symptoms of depression. You shed
your daily tensions and begin to act calmly under stressful situations.
Exercise promotes strength and a good cardiovascular workout will get that
blood pumping, giving your heart a boost. Get out and work up a sweat for a
proven way to manage your stress.
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| Kerry getting into his Walk-In tub. |
KEEP
YOUR RELATIONSHIPS STRONG
Relationships can be a source
of stress and can also be stress relievers. Reach out to family members and
friends and let them know you are having a tough time. Your social network can
be an excellent resource to give a different perspective while offering
comforting support.
GET
INTO YOUR BATH TUB AND MEDITATE
A bath meditation, combines
the amazing benefits of meditation to relax your mind and the benefits of a
soothing, hot back to relax your tired muscles and take you away from the day’s
stressors. For seniors who may have issues with getting in and out of the tub, a walk-in tub is a great solution. These tubs also have therapeutic water and air jets to help you relax.
Block out a minimum of 15
minutes and make sure you are not disturbed by your phone, family or friends.
This is your time. As you are filling the tub, add aromatherapy oils or salts
to enhance the experience. Many of these scents are known to promote
relaxation.
Check out this short video on warm water therapy.
Relax in the moment while
breathing slowly and deeply like the pranayama technique mentioned above. Keep
your mind as clear as possible and try not to let it wander. Focus on the
sensations around you while staying in the present moment.
If you have trouble keeping
your mind clear, you might also try a mantra meditation that requires more
focus.
You can be assured you will be
feeling relaxed and at peace in a very short time.
Stress is the cause of many
health issues, but these can be controlled by using some of these proven
techniques to give you a happier and healthier perspective on your life.
Until the next time.
In this article, I provided
you with many of the side effect that stress can cause in the human body and
ways to alleviate stress. In particular, I discuss how a meditative bath can
help you relax when stress rears it's ugly head.
If you would like a FREE copy of our eBook "The Walk-In Tub Buyers Guide", fill out the form below and we will send it to you.
If you would like a FREE copy of our eBook "The Walk-In Tub Buyers Guide", fill out the form below and we will send it to you.
Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email
listed at the end of this article and my brother, Alan, who heads up Tub King,
will personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information
with you.
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| Check out Tubking.com |
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| Get yours at TubKing.com |
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