More than 75 years ago Dr. Hans Selye – a pioneer in the study of stress and its physiological effects – defined stress quite simply as, “The non-specific response of the body to any demand for change.” Appropriately, this is a very “non-specific” definition for a fairly “non-specific” state of mental or emotional strain. After all what does stress feel like? What makes us stressed? What physical and/or physiological effects can stress have on us? More importantly, how can we reduce or prevent stress in our lives. These are all questions that can have any number of different answers for each individual.
Stress can be caused by any number of things from something as life changing as the death of a loved one, to something as simple as the grocery store running out of organic chicken before you got there. No matter the severity, however, prolonged stress can cause any of the following:
- Physical fatigue
- Headaches
- Joint and muscle soreness
- High blood pressure
- Acid reflux & Stomach ulcers
- Constipation
- Reproductive complications
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Severe weight loss or gain
- Depression
While the causes for stress are numerous and varying there are an equal number of easy ways we can alter our day to day lives to reduce and manage stress. Among them are a proper healthy diet, regular activity and exercise, maintaining a good emotional support system of family and friends and making sure to get a good amount of quality sleep. Making positive life changes like these will help you to avoid stressful situations and to manage the ones you do find yourself in a more productive manner. The combination of healthy eating, ample rest and regular exercise will improve your overall health as well.
This is why the staff at Health Through Awareness is here to help guide each patient towards an understanding of their own unique stress and stress management. For more information about our Wellness Services or our Holistic Health coaching please click here.
