When you hear the word "health," what thoughts usually come to mind? Does it just mean having no physical ailments or illnesses, or is there more? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." This article will focus mostly on how stress affects your physical well-being.
Just as thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can influence physical health, the opposite is also true. According to the American Institute of Stress, whenever we perceive certain events as negative or potentially threatening (such as traffic congestion or being robbed), several bodily reactions occur such as:
- heart rate and blood pressure rise to increase the flow of blood to the brain to improve decision making
- blood sugar rises to provide more fuel for energy as the result of the breakdown of glycogen, fat, and protein stores
- and blood is directed away from the gut and to the large muscles of the arms and legs to provide either more strength in combat or greater speed in escaping a scene of potential danger
If someone is continually under stress and bringing about these physical reactions, over time hypertension, strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, ulcers, neck pain, and low back pain can result.
According to the American Psychological Association Help Center, six common myths surround stress:
Myth 1: Stress is the same for everybody. (Stress differs from person to person)
Myth 2: Stress is always bad for you. (It all depends on how you manage it)
Myth 3: Stress is everywhere, so you can't do anything about it. (Effective planning can help)
Myth 4: The most popular techniques for reducing stress are the best ones. (What works for one person may not work for the other)
Myth 5: No symptoms, no stress. (Some medications may actually cover up symptoms)
Myth 6: Only major symptoms of stress require attention. (Minor symptoms should serve as a warning)
According to the American Psychological Association Help Center, here are six ways to effectively deal with stress:
- Identify the cause.
- Monitor your moods.
- Make time for yourself at least two or three times a week.
- Walk away when you're angry.
- Analyze your schedule.
- Set reasonable standards for yourself and others.
According to mindtools.com, there is a practical method for reducing stress called the "Relaxation Response." According to Dr. Benson (a contributor to www.mindtools.com), this method has been shown to promote deep relaxation, slowed heartbeat and breathing, reduced oxygen consumption, and increased skin resistance. Here are the following steps:
- Sit quietly and comfortably
- Close your eyes
- Start by relaxing the muscles of your feet and work up your body relaxing muscles
By Andrew Martinez
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