Distress or De-Stress?
Let’s get straight to the point and consider anew what you already know;
Stress is a killer.
Yes, a killer which will not only shorten your life but will also diminish the quality of your life by preventing you from having a decent night’s sleep, by sapping your strength and by depleting your immune system.
Adrenaline (epinephrine) and the “fight or flight response”…
Any acute stress triggers the adrenal glands to release adrenaline (epinephrine) which our bodies use as our survival hormone. Meet a bear in the forest or have a car swerve in front of you on a highway and your adrenal glands pour out adrenaline.
Adrenaline has the following effects:-
- Our hearts beat faster and we pump more blood to our brains and muscles (good for thinking more clearly and escaping bears).
- Our air passages in the lungs open up allowing for more oxygen exchange (again good for the clear thinking and high performance running that we may have to do).
- The blood flow to our intestines and abdominal organs is reduced (the fast food you had for lunch is not so important when you are about to become a victim yourself).
- Bladder contraction is inhibited (again, this is not the time for a washroom stop).
- Our pupils dilate and tear production is stimulated (we need to see as much as we can and lubricated eyes are likely to blink less).
- Saliva production is inhibited (who has time to even think about food?)
- We sweat (a good way to reduce body heat and allow for a vigorous escape).
Ok, so we survive the acute ordeal but here is the kicker. When stress becomes more chronic, insidious and long term, it leads to a heightened baseline secretion of adrenaline (epinephrine). This has some nasty results like:-
- High blood pressure.
- Heart attacks.
- Heartburn and stomach ulcers.
- Headaches and migraines.
- Eczema and psoriasis.
- Anxiety.
- Insomnia.
- Depression.
- Reduced immune function.
- Cancer.
- And much much more…
The Path to De-Stressing Begins…
(How you can reduce the harmful effects of too much adrenaline/ epinephrine secretion.)
- Become aware of what’s going on inside you…. Mindfulness is key.
- Belly Breathe.
- Slow down.
- Detoxify.
- Drink more water.
- Eat healthy food… slowly.
- Laugh more.
- Sleep well.
- Get things off your chest.
- Sing, Dance, Listen to music, Read, Journal, Paint.
- Make love.
- Exercise regularly.
- Stretch.
- Meditate.
- Pray.
- Say “NO!” more often.
- Take your dog for a walk.
Fill your life with what is meaningful, slow down and find a healthy balance.