Stress: The Silent Killer

We had a Healthy Tea Party at The Natural Path Integrative Medical Center in Fair Oaks today, and we talked about stress, how it affects your body, and what you can do about it.

We got a little side tracked onto other subjects, but what I wanted everyone to take away from the meeting was the following:

• Stress can be physical, mental or emotional, and they all affect the body in the same way.
• Cortisol and endorphin levels increase, and make the body react in a "fight or flight" manner.  In the short term, that means increasing heart rate and blood pressure to feed the muscles blood in order to run away or fight an opponent, while blood flow is decreased to the internal organs necessary for digestion.
• Over the long term, or under chronic stress, that leads to high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, low energy levels, insomnia, disregulation of neurotransmitters which can lead to anxiety and depression, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other digestive problems, osteoporosis, weight gain, diabetes, low libido and impotence, chronic fatigue, hair loss, pain and muscle tension, premature aging and low immune function.  The immune suppression is especially worrysome, because the immune system protects you from infections, and cancers.

At the tea party we had herbal teas to help with stress which contain herbs called adaptogens, which help your body adapt to stress in order to be more resilient to it.  There are also calming herbs to help with anxiety and accelerated heart rate associated with chronic stress. We also had fruit with vitamin C in it, as well as foods high in B vitamins.  Stress depletes B vitamins, and a good B complex can do wonders for your energy and state of mind.  Make sure to take it with food, and try to get a good quality one in capsule, rather than tablet, form.

During these very stressful times it is important to take care of yourself as much as possible.  You may want to try some of the following:

• Epsom salt baths with lavender oil: these are both detoxifying, and relaxing because you don't have your phone, crying children, or other problems taking your attention.  Try the best you can to let your mind go, meditate, and just experience the time soaking in the tub releasing worries and the rest of the cares for 20-30 minutes.  It can do wonders to just unplug.
• Treat yourself to a pedicure, or a massage every month.  They are really not that expensive (less than getting a coffee at starbucks every day) and help you relax and unplug.  They are also good for circulation and loosening tight muscles.
• B12 or B Complex shots can be very helpful for stress and energy.
• Exercise has been clinically proven to protect the body from stress, and decreases anxiety and pain while making you overall more healthy.
• Make sure you are getting on average 8 hours of sleep a night without sleep aids.  Sleep deprivation is very dangerous, and can help to bring on major health problems.
• Decrease your cortisol levels.  Cortisol leads to a lot of problems, including stubborn weight that stays around the midsection and is very difficult to diet and exercise away.  Cortisol also leads to high glucose levels, and can predispose people to diabetes and metabolic syndroms.

If you have other questions about stress, visit The Natural Path's website all about alternative medicine at www.integrateyourpath.com.