| "Sure, I’m a little stressed, my mother-in-law moved in, I wrecked
my car, my dog ran away, my job is being down-sized and the IRS wants
to audit my last 5 years of income taxes, but I’m handling it ok! I
hear this, or similar comments, almost every day. People think they
are coping "just fine" with the stress in their lives. But, if they
could see the chemical, emotional, and physical changes that stress is
causing within their body, they might make the connection between
their deteriorating health and their level of stress. Stress
activates the sympathetic nervous system (the automatic part of the
nervous system that affects many organs and physical reactions). The
"stress response" is the body’s physical hormonal reaction to a
perceived threat to its safety or well-being. These reactions include
increased heart rate and blood pressure, artery constriction, blood
thickening, high release of insulin, fat, and glucose, increased
estrogen levels, decrease of blood to kidneys, reduced digestive
function, and a health degenerating increase in blood and tissue
acidosis (because of depletion of the ionic minerals sodium,
potassium, magnesium, and calcium).
In prehistoric times, the physical changes that took place in
response to stress were an essential adaptation for meeting natural
threats (flight-or-fight response). Even in the modern world, the
stress response can be an asset for raising levels of performance
during critical events such as a sports activity, an important
meeting, or in situations of actual danger or crisis.
However, if stress becomes a constant part of one’s life,
the body remains awash in "fight-or-flight" hormones.
Essentially, you body becomes acidic (acidosis). Our bodies never have
a chance to refresh, recuperate, and restore the natural alkaline
health balance (homeostasis). All systems of the body (the brain,
heart, lungs, vessels, and muscles) are adversely affected and may
suffer physical or psychological damage over time.
Physical Effects of Stress
Perpetual stress can adversely affect everything from how long it
takes for a wound to heal to how quickly your hair turns gray. Studies
have reported a direct relationship between stress levels and: heart
disease, angina, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, stroke,
immune disorders (eczema, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis),
gastrointestinal problems (irritable bowel, peptic ulcers, Crohn’s
disease, colitis), weight gain and "binge eating", diabetes, muscular
and joint pain, headaches, and sleep disorders. It also effects the
brain, particularly memory, concentration, and learning.
Psychological Effects of Stress
Studies suggest that the inability to adapt to stress is associated
with the onset of depression or anxiety. In one study it was found
that stress diminishes the quality of life by reducing feelings of
pleasure and accomplishment. Personal and professional relationships
are often negatively affected.
General Guidelines for Reducing Stress
For many of us a total life style change is unreasonable. So,
perhaps the best approach for treating stress can be found in this
passage by Reinhold Niebuhr, "Grant me the courage to change the
things I can change, the serenity to accept the things I can't change,
and the wisdom to know the difference."
Many stress symptoms are mild and can be managed by natural
supplementation. Some very successful "stress reducing" supplements
are Omega 3 essential fatty acid (from fish not flax), Omega 6
essential fatty acid (GLA from borage seed oil), valerian, ginseng,
and of course the AMiGO Juice, CHARGE and Capsules are extremely rich
in all three Omegas. One should avoid alcohol, tobacco, caffeine,
refined white sugar and white flour products, all carbonated
beverages, and any sweetener that contains aspartame.
A successful "anti-stress" program also should include exercise
(walking, swimming, yoga, Tai Chi, etc.), a diet rich in a variety of
whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, and a regime of detoxification.
Here are some great ways to detoxify.
- Get the body alkaline by eating natural whole foods or by taking
alkalizing supplements such as Coral Calcium, or the AMiGO Juice,
CHARGE and Capsules
- Do Far Infrared Saunas.
- Do alkalizing, detoxifying body wraps.
- Do mental relaxation exercises.
A physician should be consulted for physical symptoms that are out
of the ordinary, particularly those which progress in severity. A
mental health professional should be consulted for unmanageable acute
stress or for severe anxiety or depression. |