We say it nonchalantly, ‘this is killing me’. This being your work schedule, managing all the kids’ extra-curricular activities, sitting in rush hour traffic, the compounding debt. You name it- and we’ve all said it.
The problem is, it IS killing us.

Slowly.

Our bodies natural stress response, fight or flight, is a protective mechanism designed to keep us alert to immediate physical threats to our safety.

Stop and think about how your body responds to a sudden, immediate threat?

Under stress, our central nervous system (CNS) signals the adrenal glands to release the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones are meant to temporarily increase breathing and heart rate sending blood rushing to your muscles, heart, and other important organs needed to protect your body when under immediate threat.

This response to stress causes increased oxygen demand on the body, a spasm of the coronary (heart) blood vessels, and electrical instability in the heart’s conduction system.

In other words, blood pressure increases, muscles tense, digestion stops, and over time your immune system function actually starts to weaken.

Naturally, when the threat is gone, all systems return to balance and all is calm.

The problem is, we are faced with more and more psychological stress and anxiety: busyness, worry, fear, anger, responsibilities and more that keep us in a chronic state of stress.

Plus, stress may affect behaviors and factors that increase the risk for heart disease, obesity, diabetes: smoking, physical inactivity, loss of sleep, alcohol and drug abuse, social withdrawal, and overeating.

Whatever the cause, chronic stress just isn’t good for our health on a variety of levels, especially our heart, mind, or body. Not to mention, when we are stressed how are we showing up for the people we love?

REDUCING STRESS LEVELS SHOULD BE A PART OF YOUR AUTHENTIC WELLNESS PROGRAM.

Here are 10 ways you can relax your mind & body:

1. Take slow, deep breaths. Or try other breathing exercises for relaxation.

2. Soak in a warm bath.

3. Listen to soothing music, worship music especially has been shown to help reduce stress.

4. Vacation or find ways to take time away to relax & restore.

5. Keep a Daily Gratitude Journal

6. Use guided imagery to relax.

7. Laughter has been found to lower levels of stress hormones, reduce inflammation in the arteries, and increase “good” HDL cholesterol.

8. Exercise regularly.

9. Go outside and enjoy nature.

10. Meditate. This practice of inward-focused thought and deep breathing has been shown to reduce heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, lower adrenaline & cortisol levels, strengthen the immune system, and even liquify platelets in our blood.

Download my Free Stress Less Guide to help you create a stress management plan here.

 

What are some things that help you stress less?

Add them to your Authentic Wellness Calendar today, sometimes we just need to make them a priority on our list and just start somewhere. Self-care should be our first priority, when we take better care of ourselves we can take better care of others.

source: https://www.healthline.com/health/stress/effects-on-body#5