Stress
is a physical, chemical and psychological factor or a combination thereof,
which threatens the balanced functioning of the internal environment in the
body.
We are
all exposed to stress and how we react to it is important for our health, both
today and in the future. The more science understands about the chemicals
travelling in our bodies during stress, the better it is understood how they
can impair our physical and mental wellbeing.
Stress
has profound effects on our body systems as it changes the internal
environment. When a stressor is present, the body starts a chain of reactions
where the hypothalamus directly influences the adrenals to release adrenaline
(epinephrine). Stress can impair the
body’s ability to regulate inflammation as the immune system is weakened.
Different forms and causes of stress
1.
Work stress
Various institutions have conducted
research and the results show:
- A direct link between a high stress job
and a 23% higher risk of heart attack. (University College of London)
- An increase in the risk of diabetes in
women (Journal of Occupational Medicine)
- A possible acceleration in ageing (a
study in journal PLoS ONE)
2.
Dwelling on
a stressful situation
Can
be linked to health problems such as depression, heart disease and even cancer.
3.
Every day stress
May
lead to chronic conditions in the future, even a decade later.
4.
Chronic stress
May
increase the risk of diabetes in men (according to researchers from the
Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg).
Some of the effects of stress
- Decreased productivity at work
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Muscle tension/pain
- Sleep disturbances
- Heart attack
- Increased risk of even catching the
common cold, a wart, etc.
- Can interfere with conception
- During pregnancy can lead to stillbirth
(National Institutes of Health study)
Antidotes
- Smiling: when next in a stressful situation
smile. A true, genuine smile can lower the heart rate.
- Mindfulness
meditation: has
an impact on the stress hormone cortisol and can affect the survival rate of
people dealing with certain illnesses.
- Pets: detract attention from the stress
source and stimulate the flow of endorphins, the relaxing/happy hormone.
- Pampering: Take time out, do the activities you
enjoy, have a coffee with a friend, read, garden, etc.
Complementary therapies
Many
therapies influence how we feel, such as:
- Aromatherapy
The
nose detects the smell of essential oils and this reaches the brain. Through
our life, a memory bank of smells has been created, which are linked to various
memories. Those linked to a positive
memory can help the body and mind to relax ‘today’.
- Massage
A
relaxation massage, certainly when combined with essential oils, brings the
body and mind to rest. The essential oils penetrate muscle tissue and enter the
blood stream; this multiplies the benefits of the oils used.
- Reiki
As a
natural healing energy, Reiki not only brings relaxation but deals with the
source of the stress. After a treatment there is a feeling of joy, happiness
and lightness. Becoming a Reiki channel, these effects have a longer lasting
effect.
- Reflexology
Stress
buster. Relieves many of the stress-related symptoms and balances the internal
energies; a person is therefore better able to cope with daily pressures. All
the senses are more relaxed and therefore there is less feeling of nervousness
and panic. Stressful events no longer place undue demands.
References
Chan,
A.L. (2013). Stress research: 10 new things
we learned this year, for National
stress
awareness week. Retrieved
from
awareness-month-new-findings-2013_n_2979654.html#slide=2281213
Crane,
B. (1997). Reflexology, the definitive practitioner’s manual. London: Harper
Collins
Mayo
Clinic Staff. (2010). Stress Symptoms:
effects on your body, feelings and
Van de
Graaf, K.M. (1992). Human anatomy.
Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown
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