The Physiology Of Stress
Many people have experienced stress in one form or another. A solid percentage of such individuals have also felt the impact of coping with heightened tension. That said, fewer persons are likely aware that stressful conditions are stirred by actual physiological processes that can precipitate serious effects on their health and well-being.
The Physiology Of Stress
When occurring is small doses or during tense occasions, the condition can prove beneficial to the body. Heightened senses enables a person to react to trying or dangerous circumstances. However, chronic exposure to extreme tension can prove detrimental.
During periods of increased anxiety, the body produces and secretes what are referred to as "stress-hormones." A increased but chronic release of chemicals like cortisol and adrenaline could elicit untoward and potentially even serious physical manifestations including but certainly not limited to high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, digestive problems, increased blood sugar concentrations and a weakened immune system.
Continual elevated anxiety levels may also adversely impact one's mental health. Hormonal imbalances brought about by the occurrence of chronic stressful circumstances can exert a negative effect upon the brain and result in issues such as declining cognitive functions like memory and focus, irritability, mood swings, anxiety and depression.
Coping Methods
Fortunately, those forced to experience stressful circumstances on a routine basis may be able to ebb or eliminate the potentially adverse impacts by practicing the following reduction methods:
Lifestyle Improvements
Healthcare professionals strongly advise individuals in the midst of anxious times to render healthy lifestyle choices such as:
Consuming A Balanced Diet
Medical experts and nutritionists suggest consuming only nutritious edibles like produce products, lean meats, fish and grains. On the contrary, said professionals recommend avoiding frozen, processed and canned foods. These items are said to contain large quantities of potentially harmful substances like fats, salt and preservatives that can impact hormonal levels and worsen certain stress-related symptoms.
Exercise
Physical activity is thought to offer individuals a productive stress-busting avenue. Exercise helps keep the body strong and regulate hormones.
Sleep
Those struggling with insomnia often experience increased tension and further negative imbalances of stress-related hormones. Medical professionals and sleep experts recommend that the typical adult receive anywhere from seven to nine hours of sleep per evening.
Functional Medicine
Functional medicine focuses on addressing the root cause of illnesses over merely treating existing symptoms. In the case of anxiety, the identification of stress-inducing circumstances might offer the stricken individual a better opportunity to reduce or eliminate said incidents in lieu of only treating accompanying physical manifestations.
Natural Healing
Practitioners of natural healing opine that utilizing products occurring in nature such as herbs and plants can prove beneficial to remediating numerous illnesses.
Establishing A Work/Life Balance
For many people, a significant amount of stress-induced problems stem from their inability to balance a busy professional career with other important life segments such as family. While career success is important to one's financial security, finding a solid work/life balance can prove critical to reducing tension and formulating a healthy relationship with every aspect of one's life.
