by Samantha Whitney, Stem to Stern Massage Clinic –
Stress is recognized by many as the No. 1 proxy killer disease today. The American Medical Association has noted that stress is the basic cause of more than 60 percent of all human illness and disease. It plays havoc throughout our physical and mental selves.
When the natural stress response goes wild, adrenaline increases heart rate, elevates blood pressure and boosts energy supplies. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases sugars (glucose), enhances your brain’s use of glucose, and increases the availability of substances that repair tissues. It curbs functions that would be nonessential or detrimental in a fight-or-flight situation. It alters our immune system responses and suppresses the growth processes, our digestive and reproductive systems. This complex natural alarm system also communicates with the brain regions that control mood, motivation and fear.
Once a perceived threat has passed, hormone levels return to normal. But when we are constantly under attack, our stress-response system stays on and we are overexposed to that fight-or-flight reaction, which disrupts almost all your body’s processes. This puts you at great risk for health problems and disease including but not limited to heart attack, strokes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and blood clots along with anxiety, depression, digestive problems, headaches, broken sleep, weight gain/loss and memory issues.
It’s so important to learn healthier ways to cope with life stressors. Slowly and sneakily the constant stresses show signs within us that we usually ignore, impacting how we feel, function and breathe. Skin shows signs of darkness, dryness, breakouts and redness. Hair looks dull, becomes brittle and falls out. Our attention span and energy decrease and our aches and pains become more prevalent. Ones closest to us get the wrath as we find it harder to self-regulate. In turn we tend to drink, eat, smoke and spend more, which adds to our plight.
Scientists call this “languishing” – failing to make progress. We are lacking energy and creativity and feel like we have less oomph and desire. It’s a middle ground between being depressed and OK.
We all know that eating better, getting more exercise and doing the hobbies we love will help, but what else can we do?
Try adding a daily ritual to help stay balanced: make a quiet sacred space to practise quieting your mind and just be present; create a journal; get a massage; listen to the wind; watch the birds or sit by the ocean. Find your daily ritual; even just 10 minutes a day can centre you. Spending time without unnecessary stimulants and screen time is critical for your health.
The reward for learning to manage stress is peace of mind and perhaps a longer, healthier life.
The Dalai Lama said: “If it can be solved, there’s no need to worry, and if it can’t be solved, worry is of no use.”
Crisis line: 1-833-456-4566 or 911; mental health line 310-6789; kids help line 1-800-668-6868.
