Updated July 2019
If your “stressometer” is at a boiling point don’t worry you aren’t alone. 77% of people who suffer from regular stress report having physical symptoms. This can range anwhere from trouble sleeping, aches and pain, stomach problems, headaches and more. It you are at a breaking point with stress, don’t worry–there is so much you can do to help yourself “calm down.”
Cortisol is the hormone that is created by the Adrenal Glands (literally sitting on your kidneys) that gets the party started for your body to get into action.
Getting Ready for the “party”
Kick it into high gear, stress is here! Your body prepares by doing the following;
•Increased blood pressure and heart rate – get the juices flowing
•Muscle tension – get ready to dance! The body wants to move from the stress
•Fast and shallow breathing to increase oxygen to the brain – your brain is the designated driver
•Vital nutrients and blood sugar get invited in to add life to the party- feel the energy?
•Lower sensitivity to pain to aid the get away– adrenaline rush
Party’s Over
Your friend, Thyroid, has to come to help you regain composure. Stomach isn’t having fun. The blood has wandered off to other organs to help the muscles get oxygen and nutrients, so digestion will have to wait. Thyroid brings in the caboose by helping repair any tissues that may have been damaged during stress.
The Hangover
Stress exhaustion becomes harmful when stress does not shut off –chronic stress. Irritability, anger and anxiety arrive while the immune system becomes suppressed. Feel ill yet? You will, unless you reduce the stress in your life.
- Breathe! The antidote for the “hangover”
- Listen to music while taking a hot shower with some Lavender
- Get a professional massage
- Write down your thoughts in a journal
- Lunch and laughter with friends – skip the cocktails
Don’t try to be the “life of the party”, just remember to breathe so you can party on in life!
Sandy Saldano, Lic. Massage Therapist
Owner of Therapeutic Kneads, Ltd.
847-266- 0131