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ABOUT
STRESS
There are many definitions of stress
depending on the
perspective from which you view it. However, one thing is for certain
and
stress absolutely affects each of the four dimensions of health: the
physical,
emotional, mental and spiritual. On the
physical level there are many negative effects which all lead towards
reduced
immunity from all kinds of illness and
disease. The body’s stress response begins in the brain where a message
is sent
through the endocrine system to release the hormones which mobilize us
to fend
off the stress. Unfortunately, this
stress response was geared more towards fighting off lions, tigers and
bears
rather than an unruly client or an irate spouse!
The problem becomes exasperated by the
environments that we work and live in. Today’s environment both inside and outside provides
stressors we never before imagined or
encountered all at one time. Computers, terrorists, ecological
disaster, financial instability, fragmented families, identity theft,
addictions, threatened food
sources, the list goes on. Because
hormones and blood chemicals do not
know the difference between a hungry bear, an angry boss, or a scary
movie, the
body's response to incoming stress is the same. It doesn't matter
whether the stressor is real or imagined....it's all the same.
The indisputable result is
that our bodies are constantly flooded with stress hormones giving us
limited
time for homeostasis or balance to occur and instead creating a heightened potential for great harm to the internal organs. The heart and arteries
become worn out. Repeated release of glucose and suppression of insulin
sets the stage for diabetes, often resulting in severe nerve damage.
And,
a constant barrage of glucocorticoids desensitizes the immune system
into a
state of suppression creating the increased possibility for all
disease.
Constant stress has also been linked to, colitis, irritable bowel
syndrome,
infertility, and chronic pain of all sorts.
Emotionally and mentally the story is
the same. The hormones secreted to
mobilize the body also affect our emotions and thinking processes. Depression, mood swings, lack of motivation,
irritability, addictions, lack of concentration, despair, fear, doubt
are all
possible and likely results of stress in the environment.
There
are some common myths about stress. One
of those myths is that stress is the same for everyone.
This is not true. How we respond and react to
the stressors in our lives varies from person to person.
We all respond differently depending on
genetics, families, and cultural influences. Another
myth is ‘no symptoms, no stress’. Absence
of symptoms does not mean the absence of stress. The use of alcohol and/or medications,
may deprive you of
the signals you need for reducing the strain on your physiological and
psychological systems. Some believe that
ignoring the "minor" symptoms, such as headaches or
stomach acid, may
be safe. However, minor symptoms of
stress are the early warnings that your life is getting out of hand and
that
you need to do.
Identifying the
stressors in our lives is helpful. However,
regardless of the source the effects are
the same and it’s
imperative to include some form of practice in our lives that is
specifically
geared to reducing the effects.
For more information please contact:
Ida Cullen, Time &
Space Consulting
560 Main St. Suite 2C
PO Box 45
Allenhurst, NJ , 07711
Telephone: (732) 531.9013
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