Stress. Something that most of us deal with and regard as normal. However the fact is that stress can be combated, and a lot of us could use with a lot less of it in our lives. Stress not only affects your mind, but it has significant affects on your body and your health. Finding ways to reduce the stress you feel, and ways to relax can help improve your quality of life, and ensure you stay healthy.
What Does Stress Do To Your Body Physiologically?
Stress in any type of form, whether it be from a hard day at work, a fight with your spouse, or perceived danger will affect your body physiologically. Hormones such as adrenalin and cortisone are released and generally these will work to speed up your heart rate, slow down your digestion, shunt blood flow to larger muscle groups, and also cause other changes in the body that will help to give the body a burst of energy. This may sound great, but when it is activated from simple daily activities and constant stress, it isn’t great for your body. Chronic stress is what we are talking about, and unfortunately the same responses are triggered…just all the time. Normally, the body will have a relaxation response after immediate stress, but in regards to chronic stress, things are a little different. If the stress response is activated often enough, the body is not given a chance to return to resting/ relaxation state…and this is when chronic stress occurs.
So What Can This Actually Do To Your Body?
Well people that are under a lot of chronic stress often have a very active autonomic nervous system. There are many symptoms of chronic stress, caused by the bodies physiological response, mostly as a result of the hormones released. Some examples:
- Chronic headaches
- Colds
- Depression
- Hair Loss
- Diabetes
- Over active thyroid
- Obesity
- Anxiety
- Ulcers
and many more…
Stress in something that is apparent in many people lives now, and we need to learn how to combat it, how to relax, and how to let our body be in a more healthier state constantly.
13 Great Ways To Relax And Relieve Stress
Drink More Water: There is a link between stress reduction and water consumption. Higher water intake will help keep your cortisol levels down. Drink more of it.
Exercise More: Again, a wonderful tool at regulating your hormones. Not to mention throwing a few weights around can relieve some psychological stress too…
Eat Healthy: All about the hormones, control them with a balanced diet. Keeping your blood sugar regulated doesn’t hurt either. Stick to healthy foods 90% of the time, and you really will feel less stressed.
Take A Day Off: Work is one of the biggest stress complaints for most people. If you need a day off from what is stressing you, take it. Often it is the boost you need mentally to get back at it and relax your body for one day.
Organize Your Time: Chronic stress sufferers are often busy people. Organize your time and ensure that you keep your stress levels down.
Try Progressive Muscle Relaxation: If you suffer from chronic stress there is a huge change that you have trouble relaxing. Try progressive muscle relaxation to see if it can get you into a more relaxed state. Basically tense one group of muscles for around 10 seconds, and relax, Start with your hands and move through your body.
Get More Sleep: Possibly not so easy for those with chronic stress…but try. Sleep is when the good hormones come out to play, you need it.
Go To A Spa: The ultimate relax day. You will feel like new, trust me.
Listen To Music: Music is a proven stress reliever. Find something that relaxes you, sit down or lay down with it, close your eyes and just listen.
Spends Time With Friends: Laughter is the best medicine, seriously. Call some old friends and get together. There is nothing more stress relieving than taking your mind off the things that you deal with every day.
Get Busy In Bed: Well, sex is a proven stress reliever…perhaps you need more?
Static Stretching: As much as this is bashed on certain blogs similar to mine, static stretching has its place, I have always said so. it does relax the muscles, if nothing else. So sit down and have a good static stretch, just to feel better.
Get A Massage: Similar to static stretching… a massage just feels lovely and can help release some good hormones.
If you want more ways to relax…check out this book and take a look at this video on how to fix anxiety!
Hopefully you have a few ways to battle your daily stress. It is important for your health, and something you need to make sure that you get on top of.