Surviving Stress - Learn to Relax Naturally!

Stress has become a pervasive force in our lives. Today many of us are living life in the fast lane-running around from one commitment to the next with no time to relax, and feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. A floundering economy, financial and career instability drive us to work even harder. Our modern day stresses have become so constant that many of us do not even associate the headaches, tight muscles, anxiety, racing heart, or difficulty sleeping to our daily stresses. We also don't realize that stress is an underlying factor in many chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Stress can also reduce immune function, impair libido and fertility, and cause weight gain. It is estimated that 43 percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress; and stress-related ailments account for 75 to 90 percent of all visits to physicians.

The term "stress" was coined in 1936 by Dr. Hans Selye, a Canadian endocrinologist. He defined stress as "the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change." In other words, stress is not an external force but rather the body's reaction to external stimuli. It is how we react to rush hour traffic, financial problems, work deadlines and other events that we perceive as stressful.

The hormones adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol are secreted from the adrenal glands during a stress reaction. The body enters catabolic state breaking down fuels (fats, protein and sugar) to provide energy. Heart rate and blood pressure soar to increase the flow of blood to the brain to improve decision-making. Blood is shunted away from the gut where it is not immediately needed for digestion to the large muscles of the arms and legs to provide more strength and greater speed. Clotting occurs more quickly to prevent blood loss from lacerations or internal hemorrhages. The cortisol released in stress responses is known to be detrimental to our bodies when chronically elevated: it can damage our nervous system, impair cognitive and memory function, and lead to weight gain and obesity.

While we can't always avoid the things in our lives that cause us stress, we can develop better coping strategies and support our bodies with proper nutrition and supplements. Holistic Pharmacist and author Sherry Torkos has some common-sense suggestions for reducing stress and promoting relaxation:

Employ deep breathing techniques, meditation, and make sure you get enough sleep.
According to Torkos, "Deep breathing increases oxygen levels in the body and has a natural calming effect. In addition to promoting calmness and a sense of peace, meditation slows heart rate and breathing, normalizes blood pressure, improves oxygenation, lowers cortisol levels, improves immune function, and slows the aging process. With today's busy lifestyles, sleep deprivation has become a common concern. When we are tired, we feel edgy, irritable, and are more reactive to stress. To improve your ability to cope with stress, make sleep a priority. Dedicate 7 to 9 hours each night for sleep."

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