Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset your balance in some way. When you perceive a threat, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones rouse the body for emergency action. Your heart pounds faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and your senses become sharper. These physical changes increase your strength and stamina, speed your reaction time, and enhance your focus – preparing you to either fight or flee from the danger at hand (www.helpguide.org).

Many health problems can be caused by stress, including:

Stress alone is not the culprit. How we respond to and manage the stressors in our lives is critical to understanding where to begin. Stress in itself is not a bad thing. The questions for you to answer are: 1) Do you now when it’s happening to you? and 2) Do you know what’s causing it?

Excessive and prolonged stress can cause the body to produce too much cortisol which can play a role in craving “comfort” foods, overeating, feeling fatigued, and storing excess body fat (www.cortisol.com). Cortisol assists you in regulating blood pressure, cardiovascular functions, and your body’s use of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Cortisol is also involved in glucose metabolism, insulin release for blood sugar maintenance, and inflammatory response. Let me share a few facts with you regarding cortisol and its ill effects of too much (and for prolonged periods):

• increased abdominal fat, which is proven to be more harmful than fat deposited in other areas of the body
• too much abdominal fat has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, the development of metabolic syndrome, higher levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL)
• higher levels of blood glucose, which leads to insulin resistance (diabetes)
• and high blood pressure (hypertension)

Once you identify your stressors, then you can better manage them. I am fond of ways that allow you to let it all go; for me that is running and writing poetry. Exercise of some kind is always a good choice; walking, running, yoga, tai chi and breathing (yes, there are breathing exercises). Exercise is the physical release; there may also be a need for a psychological release. This can be done by writing, talking about your feelings, doing something you enjoy or just focus on now.
Dance or sing, just do you. When you feel yourself being stressed, ask yourself this, “What will it matter 10 yrs from now?” Life is about balance and we must keep all things in perspective. Find that place and/or that thing that allows you to be free of all that life throws at you. Whatever you choose to do, if you keep it healthy and positive, you could be stressed… less!

About the Author
Jeffrey J. Davis, local Health & Wellness Coach, is a graduate of Wellspring School of Allied Health with certifications as a Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist.
Contact Info:
1BeyondResurrection@gmail.com