Hi Everyone,
Since 1992, the month of April has been recognize as a time for health care professionals and health promotion experts to come together to increase public awareness about both the epidemic causes and cures for stress.
According to
Medical News Today, stress is
"Anything that poses a challenge or a threat to our well-being"
This might sound like stress is something to avoid at all costs, but often times stressful situations can help people achieve their goals and do the impossible like in saving someone's life in lifting heavy objects or running away from danger. This is known as the fight-or flight response in which the body's sympathetic nervous system reacts in
- Raising heart rate
- Increasing sweating
- Becoming more alert
- Preparing muscles for action
Again, in the short-term, these reactions can be good for the body, but often times stress turns harmful when it "undermines both our mental and physical health."
In time of stress our bodies produce larger quantities of chemicals such as:
- Cortisol
- adrenaline
- Noradrenaline
Which in turn slows down a person's digestive and immune systems, leads to sleepless nights, tenses muscles, and rapid breathing.
Health, Nutrition and Stress
One may say that stress is a key component in the reason why some people gain weight faster and are more likely to get sick, but that is not all when it comes to health and nutrition.
If someone continues to be in a stressed state for a long-period of time, a person might develop symptoms such as:
- Hypertension
- Stomach upset
- Heart disease
- Fainting speels
- Cramps or muscle spasms
- And many more symptoms
How Do You Know if You Are Stressed?(source)
Has your breathing changed?
A stressed response will bring short, quick breathes. One way to recognize this is to place one hand on your belly and the other on yoru chest while watching how your hands rise and fall.
Are your muscle tense or sore?
Are your hands clenched?
Actions and Stress Relief (source)
Are you finding yourself to get angry or agitated easily?
This is known as a overexcited stress response and is best relieved with activities that will quiet you down like meditation, slow breathing exercises or yoga.
Do you find yourself becoming depressed or withdrawn?
This is known as a under excited stress response and is best relieved with activities that are stimulating and that energize you like exercising or playing a game.
Do you tend to freeze or speed up in regular tasks?
This is known as a frozen stress response are best relieved with activities that provide both safety and stimulate your body.
Tips to Relieve Stress (source)
- Make 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night a priority (source)
- Talk to someone who will listen about your stress
- Take a break from technology, even cell phones
- Write your feelings out
- Do something you enjoy such as a hobby
- Focus on the present
- Maintain regular exercise
- Spend time playing with your family
This National Holiday is sponsored by the Healthy Resource Network (HRN), which is a non-profit health education organization.
What is your favorite way to relieve stress?
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Rachelle
Coordinated Program in Dietetics, Student
University of Idaho
thefreshplate2013@gmail.com
*I was not compensated to write this post. 
