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Stress relief
Everyday challenges and obstacles, especially with today’s tough and uncertain political and economic outlook can be overwhelming, and the pressure can be too difficult to handle - that’s when we experience stress. Stress is defined as mental or physical tension, and one can cause the other.
Small doses of stress can be beneficial in motivating you to do your best and stay balanced in life; stress is an inevitable part of life. However, stress can become a threat to your mental, physical, and emotional health when life’s demands exceed your ability to cope. Excessive amounts of emotional or mental stress can influence your immune system and exacerbate your physical symptoms. The link between your mental health and physical wellness is very strong. We are often not too surprised to catch a cold while we are dealing with a stressful situation. Research has shown that excessive and or chronic stress through a chain of events can cause low back pain, stomach pain, high blood pressure, skin outbreaks, misalignments of the jaw, headaches, tension in the neck and shoulders, as well as weight gain.
It is not only impossible, but also unhealthy to eliminate stress completely. A healthy alternative is to learn ways to minimize, deal with, and control negative effects of stress in your life. Incorporating healthy habits into your daily activity will reduce your stress level and help you live a more balanced life. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Environmental stressors can set off the stress response in your body. With everything that goes on in our world, including politics, economics, and finances, our stress levels can skyrocket. It is great to be aware of all economic and political issues that surround us these days, but it can also be overwhelming. To survive this political season and combat media-induced stresses, try limiting your time on the phone, listening or watching the news, and tense conversations or interactions with others who have opposing views. Turn off the T.V. and radio and try ten minutes of yoga or meditation.
Trim and prioritize your to-do-list. Analyze your schedule, appointments, responsibilities and daily tasks and tackle them in order of importance. Poor time management, feeling like you are stretched too thin, and running behind can cause severe stress. Try to find a balance between work and social activities. Spend time with friends and family. Your to-do-list should have an enjoyable activity on it whether it is reading a book, relaxing in the hot tub, window shopping, watching a funny movie, listening to music, or my personal favorite - taking a walk on the beach.
Exercise and eat healthy. A healthy diet and regular exercise can detox your body of all stress-related byproducts and give your mood a natural boost and leave you relaxed. Cut down on caffeine and sugar and try post-exercise euphoria instead. A fit and well-fed body can give you more energy, ability to concentrate, improved quality of sleep, and thus reduce your stress reactivity. This can also help you slow down the aging process! There is no substitute for a healthy and well balanced diet and an exercise regimen, so get some veggies in your diet, call up a work out buddy and hit the gym.
Last but not least, don’t ignore the pain and discomfort in your lower back, or the tension you have been feeling in your neck and shoulders. Stress hormones lower the threshold of our pain receptors, tighten muscles and ligaments, reduce blood flow into the tissues and increase overall inflammation in our bodies. Visit us at Balance in Motion, park your car at a distance, take a walk to our stress-free office and enjoy a chiropractic adjustment or a relaxing massage to help you with your musculoskeletal discomfort and relax.
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