will sooner or later have to find time for illness.
Edward Stanley, Earl of Derby, 1873. The Conduct of Life.
Stress Reducer
Today most people need some form of stress reducer. Even though a certain amount of stress (called eustress) is necessary in order to function well, excessive stress is harmful to your health. Exposure to high levels of stress is associated with "burnout" and illness in people who are not able to manage that stress.
An estimated two-thirds of physician office visits are due to stress-related illness. This includes high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, heart disease, anxiety, respiratory disorders, stomach ulcers, accidental injuries, cirrhosis of the liver, and cancer! An effective stress reducer may help people prevent many of these problems.
The Stress Response
In reaction to a stressful situation the body produces a protective stress response. This is a cascade of events that can protect against danger. "Stress hormones" like cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) are released into the blood. The sympathetic nervous system adds adrenaline. The renin-angiotensin system increases blood pressure. Additional cytokine messengers interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha are also released.
All of this prepares us to react to the situation with "fight or flight" in order to escape the perceived danger. The resulting shift in body hormones and brain chemicals may cause a perception of crisis and affect decision-making. If this occurs frequently without relief, we can experience a chronic stress condition. Continual activation of the sympathetic nervous system due to chronic stress exhausts the body. We get "stressed out." Chronic stress causes illness. We need a stress reducer that reverses these bodily changes and brings us back to a healthy equilibrium.
Stress Management Techniques
There are many excellent ways to deal with high levels of stress. Deep breathing is a simple and fast method of stress relief, though it may not always be easy. The inability to relax is often a complicating factor. Learning to invoke the relaxation response can allow you to interrupt the cascade of events in the stress response. A powerful psychological method of stress relief is to re-frame your situation and think of it in a less threatening way, changing your ideas. Meditation is a highly effective stress management technique, especially if practiced regularly. And then there is daily exercise.
Exercise, The Best Stress Reducer
Almost any form of exercise can bring relief from stress. Relaxation occurs naturally following exercise. According to mayoclinic.com exercise increases your overall health and well-being, increasing self-confidence and lowering mild symptoms of depression and anxiety. Exercise and physical activity can distract you from your worries and boost your endorphins, producing "runners high."
Running, kick-boxing, Tai Chi, yoga, and weight training all reduce stress. The slow, controlled movements and deep concentration of Tai Chi generate a calm state that dissipates worry. Yoga brings a sense of well-being. Weight training has additional benefits. Muscles consume more energy than fat. Building your muscle mass helps you to burn more calories. Your body will have fewer excess calories to store as fat. This can also have positive effects on your self-image. You'll love the way you look!
It is important to address chronic high levels of stress and avoid burnout. Daily exercise is the best Stress Reducer!
