Stress comes from various places and for many different reasons. These could be mental and physical. Stress can stem from various factors such as family, employment or unemployment, excessive work, daily or nightly commuting, relationships, illness, and sleep issues. All of these can create stress. The American Psychology Association showed that 54% of Americans worry about their stress and are likely to seek help.
Many people experience stress without realizing it. Such stress is the way of the modern world, and we’ve become used to it. Despite getting used to a stressful world, it still places genuine strain on the body. This strain manifests through increased blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, metabolism, and blood flow. This response is the primordial fight-or-flight reaction, preparing for action in a stressful situation.
The body’s sympathetic nervous system (SNS) generates the fight-or-flight reaction. When the body feels a stressor, the SNS turns on and stimulates the appropriate bodily response. This process allows us to defend ourselves in the wild, where stress comes from a reaction to wild animals and grave danger. Unfortunately, this reaction can do more harm than good in today’s world, as most of us no longer live in danger from wild, hungry animals.
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The effects of stress on the body are real. The symptoms fall into four categories: behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and physical.
People react to the same situation in different ways. What might stress one person may not stress another.
During a stressful moment, the pituitary gland releases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). It tells the adrenal glands to release stress hormones into the bloodstream, which include cortisol and adrenaline. Then several physiological changes take place, such as an increase in heart rate and blood pressure; this shuts down the digestive system and affects the immune system. Following the stressful situation, the cortisol and adrenaline return to normal levels, as well as heart rate, blood pressure, and other bodily functions.
A problem arises when these levels fail to return to normal. Instead, they remain raised from the ongoing stress of various situations. The body doesn’t get a chance to recover to its natural state. When this goes on for a long time, the stress response can disrupt all of the body’s processes.
Chronic stress also damages the immune system. It becomes weaker and less able to fend off infections. When it works properly, the immune system responds to infections by releasing chemicals to cause inflammation to rid itself of the bug. But when chronic inflammation occurs from stress, degenerative diseases can begin to take over.
Stress also affects the nervous system; this causes anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and dementia. The chronic release of cortisol causes damage to certain areas of the brain. This affects sleep patterns and sex drive. As heart rate and blood pressure increase, it is dangerous for the cardiovascular system, as it creates the potential for a heart attack or stroke.
Chiropractic is effective for various pain conditions, but over the last few years, various research studies have found that it can also help improve overall health. These recent studies have shown that chiropractic can regulate immune function, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Stress Management:
Stress creates real detrimental physical effects. Trying to avoid stressful situations isn’t always possible. We advise becoming familiar with the possible actions/outcomes and minimizing the negative.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique: The aim is to reduce tension stored in the muscles. Find a relaxed private area. Dim the lights, loosen up, and get comfortable. Tense up the following muscle areas for a minimum of five seconds before relaxing for 30 seconds. Repeat, then move on to the next area.
Do these muscle relaxations twice a day for maximum benefit. Take 10 minutes for each session.
Exercise: It is a great way to release energy. Improved health guards against the negative effects and releases endorphins (neurotransmitters that relieve pain). Exercise helps with concentration, sleep, illness, and pain and improves life quality. Age doesn’t matter, as exercise will create amazing benefits for mind and body and remove feelings of stress.
Listen to Relaxing, Soothing Sounds: Ten minutes alone with soothing sounds can help with relaxation. Allow the mind to get away from the accumulated stresses of the day. Meditation CDs, soothing music, or natural sounds all work to achieve a relaxed state. The choice is yours.
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The information on "Stress Management In El Paso, TX" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
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Welcome to the wellness blog of El Paso Back Clinic, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those found on dralexjimenez.com, focusing on restoring health naturally for patients of all ages.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-BC*, CCST, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
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