NORTH FORK, CA – Stress is your body’s response to any demand for change as you meet the challenges and uncertainties of simply being alive. Stress can be physical and emotional, positive and negative. In all cases a fight or flight response is triggered, increasing heart rate and the circulation of blood, mobilizing sugar for immediate energy, focusing attention to track the danger, creating tension in muscles to prepare for movement, and more.
This lifesaving response is meant to solve short-term, life-threatening problems. Living in this state chronically is not healthy.
It is helpful to recognize the signs of stress. They may include a decreased interest in sex, erectile dysfunction, menstrual cycle abnormalities, headaches, stomach pain and indigestion, poor sleep, anxiety, depression, moodiness, feeling critical of others, addictive behaviors, poor memory and cloudy thinking, hair loss, weight gain, and more. Stress can contribute to serious illnesses such as dementia, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Your stress level is affected by how you interpret events in your life. The most effective way to diffuse stress is to change your perceptions and expectations so that the situation is not seen as stressful in the first place. This is certainly easier said than done, but the choices you make on a daily basis do help make this possible. They help a lot.
You can manage stress by setting priorities and organizing your time, taking action, learning to say no, asking for help, and delegating. Feeling like you have control is critical. Daily choices that you make could include eating nutrient dense foods, getting sunshine, avoiding toxins whenever possible (both chemical and electromagnetic), and getting good sleep, exercise and quiet time. These topics have been covered in previous articles, and your reading them is a gift to yourself.
In the next few articles we will discuss the benefits of a positive attitude, strong social connections, having a clear sense of purpose, and mindfulness. Remember, the goal is to stress less, have better balance, and enjoy your life more.
You can read previous articles here: Focus On Vibrant Health. This article will give you an overview of the importance of your emotional health: The Power of Emotional Well-Being
Dr. Veronica Tilden can be your ally in having vibrant health. She uses traditional hands-on osteopathy and helps you take responsibility for your health, guiding you to make better choices in your life. Her office is in North Fork. You can find out more and schedule an appointment at DrVeronicaTilden.com.
