Chronic Stress and Balance
Stress serves an important purpose, our bodies are designed to use the physiological changes that occur when we perceive a stressor or a threat to efficiently run away from danger. However, the perception of stress is based on individual response and what may be stressful for one may be thrilling and challenging for another. So what kind of stress is good stress and what is bad stress?
Well, the answer is dependant on the length of time you are stressed . There are two types of stress; internal stress and external stress. Internal stress could be something like pressures you may put on yourself , or the feeling you would get when you are expected to give a presentation. While external stressors may be things like major life events, or having urgent deadlines to meet. Either way, internal and external stressors can have the same physical and psychological effects.
Stress triggers a combination of signals from both hormones and nerves. These signals cause your adrenals to release cortisol and adrenaline. The result is an increased heart rate and burst of energy from the adrenaline and a dump of cortisol which helps to limit any non-essential functions in a fight or flight situation. In a short burst of stress, this is a normal reaction, but when it is prolonged our body can become unbalanced.
Non-essential functions during a stressful ( fight or flight) time that cortisol may influence are things like regulating metabolism, reducing inflammation, and controlling blood pressure. When you are under constant stress, the response fails to turn off and cortisol and adrenaline can accumulate in the body. Long term increased cortisol could lead to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, weight gain, digestive and reproductive issues or other chronic diseases.
So what does this mean for you? Knowing that long term exposure of high stress causes peaks in adrenaline and cortisol levels in your body could cause serious health conditions; we should regularly look to prioritize and schedule stress relieving and cortisol flushing activities.
Make time, to slow down, rest, repair, and repeat. For the sake of our own wellbeing it is the best medicine.
Activities to include in your regular routines to combat stress and the effects of chronic stress:
Exercise-but not too much 20 min
Get the right amount of sleep 7-8 hours is ideal
Limit Caffeine intake, drink herbal teas instead.
Mindfulness practice- take small opportunities to check in with yourself and your surroundings.
Have fun, Laugh, and enjoy your hobbies. What is the point of life if you can not do these things?
Maintaining Good healthy relationships- make time for friends, authentic friendships feel great, and always deserve your time.
Eat a nutritious, balanced diet at regular mealtime intervals.
Have sex! orgasms can help to reduce your stress levels, increase oxytocin the “love” hormone, and improve your sleep.
Finally, get acupuncture. Acupuncture stimulates the body's natural feel-good hormones which can help to reduce the level of stress hormones- particularly, cortisol.
