When we experience excessive stress, our body reacts by going into an automatic, inborn, “fight or flight” response, which prepares the body to “fight” or “flee” from a perceived attack, harm or threat to our survival. Unfortunately our body cannot always distinguish between being attacked and therefore needing to run or an excessive workload or repetitive negative thoughts, so it responds to all stresses in this way.

Stress!

When we our stressed our body prepares to respond by, increasing heart rate and breathing, slowing digestion down and increasing energy supply to muscles which respond by tensing up, in case we need to escape or deal with any perceived attack. These reactions occur due to the hormones our body produces, therefore, if we are under prolonged periods of “stress” our body is bombarded with excessive hormones and in some cases results in illness, varying with each individual.

Stress can cause or make worse many illnesses or disorders; e.g. frequent infections, skin disorders e.g. eczema, psoriasis, IBS and many other digestive problems, migraines/headaches, insomnia, panic attacks, palpitations, muscular tension/pain, allergies, PMS, heart attacks/angina, asthma, depression, irritability, loss of concentration, fibromyalgia, to name but a few.

Cravings for foods such as sugars and white bread, and caffeine can occur to give you that “quick fix” to see you through the day or the next task. Unfortunately the energy you gain from eating these ‘fast release carbohydrates’ doesn’t last long and causes your blood sugar level to drop resulting in the need to eat more.

Things you can do to help how you are affected by stress include breathing exercises, taking walks, exercise, meditation, visualisation, yoga, tai chi. Reduce sugar and caffeine intake – this fuels the cycle, try and eat “slow release carbohydrates” e.g. brown rice, wholemeal bread, sweet potatoes, vegetables, beans and pulses.

Herbs that I have found can help your stress levels and reduce the effects it has on your body include; Gotu kola, this acts as a tonic to the nervous system and can help with depression and anxiety, chamomile is a lovely calming herb that helps you relax and gets you off to sleep, it also helps with many digestive problems. Passion flower can help with anxiety and any tension related to it, whilst also helping you sleep. Rhodiola helps your body to cope during stressful periods, easing anxiety and depression.

To see hwo we could help you to transform your stress Call Now 0845 371 3081 or email admin@nwtherapyonline.com