Chronic Stress and Health

Chronic stress and health are inextricably linked as the body responds to emotional pressure endured over a prolonged period. When you feel that your life is out of control for extended periods, your endocrine system responds and releases cortisol which is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland.

Corticosteroids are involved in a wide range of the body’s systems such as stress response, immune response, regulation of inflammation, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, blood electrolyte levels, and behavior.

The body doesn’t distinguish between physical and psychological threats and reacts in the same way for both, leaving you vulnerable to anxiety and depression if you are continuously stressed.

As you can see from the long list below, the affects of chronic stress manifest in both a physical and psychological way.

Stress And Health And Their Link

•Pain of any kind

•Heart disease

•Digestive problems

•Sleep problems

•Raise blood pressure

•Cause a stroke

•Speed up the aging process

•Gingivitis

•Depression

•Aggression

•Suicidal thoughts

•Confusion

•Depression

•Obesity

•Suppress Immune System

•Autoimmune diseases

•Skin conditions, such as eczema

•Infertility

•Headache

•Backache

•Anxiety

•Mood swings

•Loss of concentration

•Varicose veins

Visualize

Daydreaming or visioning is a way of creating the life that you want. Take time to design the life of your dreams by meditating on what it is that you desire, and then making a collage with pictures from magazines etc. Hang this up where you can look at it each day and remind your subconscious of your goals but don’t dwell on the outcome. This will work even if you pack the collage away in a box and carry on with you dreams and take care to manage your stress.

Walls-Break Them Down

The walls we build around us to keep sadness out also keeps out the joy. ~Jim Rohn

When your body, your heart and your mind are working as one you will find that you will be joyful and you will be able to manage stress. Open your heart to the world around you and let the joy in.

X marks the spot

On this day put a big X in your journal or diary. Tell yourself that to manage stress is important and that this is the day that you are going to take control of your life. This is the day that you will stop being the victim. You are in control, you teach people how to treat you, and whatever you believe will become your reality! Work at being happy instead of knocking yourself out trying to be unhappy. If you are always up for a challenge and you show people that you respect and love yourself, they will begin to treat you with the admiration that you deserve and life will be a lot less stressful.