How Does Stress Affect Us
Stress not not discriminate and affects both Male and Female. For some it may start in childhood and continue into youth and adulthood. For others it can start after trauma or shock where you might not feel able to cope because of workload and family commitments. However, care is needed to determine and diagnose your problem as you could be suffering from depression or grief. The first thing you need to do is see your G.P.
The body has always had to respond to stress but in the 21st Century stress factors are likely to be more intangible. Job insecurity, worrying about relationship difficulties, irritation about traffic jams, sexuality and fitting in at school and in working life. The main thing to remember that the effects of stress are exactly the same whether the threat is from an angry Boss or a Gorilla. The body perceives danger, prepares to face it or run away. (The fight or flight syndrome.) The body works to conserve energy therefore shuts down several systems to enable movement and escape.
The heart rate increases as adrenaline rushes into the body to warn of the 'Impending Danger.' Blood pressure increases as digestive system closes down and muscles contract. If at this point the danger is removed the stress responses achieved its aim and the body relaxes. It is not always that simple, depending on stress factors and frequency. An office worker might not be able to get away from an annoying problem or colleague. (Possible abuse, bullying or intimidation.) In such cases the body may remain tense and unable to relax, but if this is prolonged it may very well result in chronic tension. The situation is not being dealt with and the prolonged response held in tension will then result in damage to the body. The natural response mechanism has not been able to function in reversing the condition brought on by the threat allowing the body to relax.
How is Stress Damaging
We all need a certain amount of stress in our lives and it can be likened to the good and bad flora of our immune systems. The response to perceived danger can be life saving such as getting out of the way of an approaching car a little faster because of necessary stress or maybe you are a Sport enthusiast who performs competitively. Again it is the continuation of long term stress in response to external factors where these are not dealt with either to remove the stress or respond differently to it that results in damage to the ever alert state of the body and eventually show as physical concern on system or systems of the body. It is now estimated that 85% of diseases and illnesses are caused by stress.
What are the symptoms of Stress
You may recall how you felt when taking your important exams or attending an interview, meeting or important football match or given a talk. Butterflies in the stomach and in a nervous state. Some of the following may also have been experienced. Stomach churning, trembling, racing heart, or palpitations, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, insomnia and sweating. In the Medium term: These symptoms if left untreated may cause chest pains, allergies, persistent insomnia, high blood pressure, abdominal pains, ulcers, asthma, migraines, depression and infections. In the long term: Constant stress is known to cause Cancer, heart disease, strokes, angina and may be fatal.
Can Stress be cured?
No. Stress cannot be cured in itself because threats to our well-being will always exist around us. The threat itself is not the problem. The way such threats and stress is perceived and the response to it is the most important factor. If stress is managed it is no longer damaging. e.g. If you were stuck in traffic? In a busy area you may accept that as a normal situation. Another driver may become enraged but the actual stress factor is the same. You relaxed while managing your stress so didn't get angry or upset. The other driver became enraged.
How can Stress be Managed
If you respond to stress in a healthier way and use meditation, pillates, yoga or relaxation techniques that you personally enjoy and like. You will reduce the affects stress has on your body. We can't just tell our bodies to relax. We have to learn how to relax them and can use relaxing activities along with breathing, visualisation and relaxation techniques. More importantly you can be encouraged by having any of the following to aid you to a state of Homoeostasis and the start of managing your stress.
BOWEN: A very gentle treatment and one you will need to do course of four but with good lasting results and very corrective. More focused, More efficient and More vitality.
REFLEXOLOGY: Using the feet to work on all parts of the body mind and spirit you can feel the sense of improved well-being and float off to that golden sandy beach.
HYDRO-THERM MASSAGE: An experience that needs to be tried by any Massage enthusiast. You lay on water bed, face up, remaining dry but where you journey is unique to you.
DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE: A massage to release all the tension from those fibre's whilst providing a deep relaxation that you can really feel and sense.
REIKI: An energy healing for your mind body and spirit that has nothing to do with religeon but everything to do with the force that is every part of you and the universe including the all there is. No one and nothing is excluded. Everyone and everything is included.
AROMATHERAPY: An experience of massage with the use of essential oils to act on particular conditions or presentations to improve your well-being.
These are discussed in more detail in information on web page essentialtherapycentre.org
or essentialtherapy3.webs.com
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