Effects of Stress:
Hair Loss
II Overall Health II
Depression II
Related Illness II
Ulcer II
Weight Loss II
Weight Gain
Effects of Stress
By Coty D. Miranda
Stress is ubiquitous in this modern world. Perhaps it always has
been, but living in the 21st century seems to up the stress ante
for most of us.
The effects of stress in our hurried life are legion, as study
after study has shown. The effects of stress - stress-related
illnesses - account for millions of dollars of lost-work time and
medical costs. In other words, the effects of stress are costing
us not only physically, but financially also.
Let’s take a look at some effects of stress: high blood pressure,
hypertension, insomnia, ulcers, heart disease, stroke, irritated
bowel syndrome, headaches, and rashes.
The effects of stress can often affect us emotionally: we
experience and often harbor feelings of depression, distrust,
rejection and anger.
But we can take steps to help control and minimize these effects
of stress in our lives.
To live healthier lives, we must.
Clinically, stress has many definitions. A simple one says stress
occurs when pressure exceeds our ability to cope. Helping our
bodies learn to cope involves many different avenues not the least
of which are diet, exercise and life changes.
Diet and Exercise. Grant R. is a busy insurance agent in northern
Illinois. At 45 he suffered a heart attack - which he survived. It
was understandably a life-changing moment for him and his wife who
made radical alterations in their lifestyles.
Grant readily admits his daily routine was to get to his office
early and hit the day hard. Lunch was fast foods on the run. A
large man, he super sized those drive through window meals with
more French fries and generous soda servings. After work, he’d
head to his favorite bar where he said he alleviated stress by
belting down four or five drinks. (His routine was one shot of
whiskey and three to four beers). Then he would head home where
either he or his wife would cook up some sort of pasta with sauce
or other high-calorie rich food meal. Then it was couch potato
time with perhaps ice cream or other dessert eaten late.
That all changed after his heart attack.
First came the diet changes. Fruits, fresh salads, poultry and
fish replaced the couple’s penchant for rich and high starch
foods. Grant gave up his daily drinking, replacing it with copious
amounts of bottled water. He said later he added “near beer” for
the taste, but nearly two years after his heart attack, he still
doesn’t drink alcohol.
When his doctor gave the go-ahead, Grant started an ambitious
exercise program. Each morning he spent 30 minutes on his
treadmill. During his lunch hours, weather permitting, he would
walk at least one mile. After work, he and his wife would walk
another mile or more, depending.
His new regimen helped undo many effects of stress that culminated
in his heart attack.
Grant lost 50 pounds (which remain off), his energy level was
increased (dramatically, he says) and his recurring insomnia is
gone.
Another side benefit, he says, is the improved relationship with
his wife as he no longer frequents the bar every afternoon, but
instead enjoys his daily walks with her.
The effects of stress take an emotional toll also. Grant said he
had to make some changes in how he viewed and reacted to daily
stress in his business life. Here are some suggestions he said
helped him lower his stress quotient, which in turn lowered the
physical, mental and emotional effects of stress on his life;.
Simplify: It’s a fast paced world and like Grant, we can find
ourselves running too hard, too long. Prioritizing and pacing were
keys to his successful living. Instead of attempting to do it all,
delegate when possible. Say no to additional commitments. Give
yourself space and permission to enjoy your day.
Organize: Plan your day so you are proactive rather than reactive.
Make a “to-do” list, prioritizing. Be realistic, reducing larger
tasks to manageable increments and working through them one by
one. Keep your desk, your work space, your files organized to
avoid the helter-skelter search for needed items. (Nothing adds
stress to your day like lost car keys when you’re running late for
an appointment!)
Think Positive: You can’t control life’s stresses, but you can
control the effects of stress on you. Focus on the positive. That
problem you’re facing may be easier to solve with a more upbeat
approach. Be as forgiving and understanding of yourself as you are
with others. Forget perfection – it’s not going to happen.
Give of yourself. This may sound like an anomaly when your busy
life is already a cause of stress. But giving to others by serving
as a community volunteer or just making time to be more available
to friends and family can help reduce the effects of stress in
your life.
Laugh. It may sound funny, no pun intended, but laughter is often
the best medicine in fighting the effects of stress. Studies show
humor helps reduce tension. It releases endorphins –chemicals in
your brain, that give you a sense of well-being. Have some fun.
Nurture yourself. Make time to do things you enjoy. This can
counterbalance the effects of stress in your life. Read that book
you’ve put off because you were too busy. Take time for those
recreational activities that make you feel good. Exercise your
mind and body.
These are a few ideas of ways to manage the effects of stress.
Remember, also, that talking with someone you trust about harmful
effects of stress on your life can also be helpful. Sometimes this
helps put those stressful problems into perspective. You are
important. Life is short. Live it well.
If you experience trouble dealing with stress, we
recommend using
Extress.
Extress is a homeopathic and nutrition
supplement that is exceptionally effective in providing the body
with the nutritional requirements which aid the body during
periods of stress, tension, anxiety, minor phobic reactions and
complaints of generalized patterns of anxious discomfort.
The natural ingredients in Extress complement the body's natural powers
to reduce stress and anxiety. The specific doctor-formulated Extress
formula naturally diminishes emotional sensitivity and mood
swings, calms and focuses attention, relaxes muscles and reduces the possibility of stress-induced head pain and muscle aches.
Extress also helps diminish hyperactivity, aggression and anger
outbursts.
