Stress Management and Wellness

What is Stress?

Stress is tension which affects our bodies and our minds, impacting our emotions, attitudes, posture and our spinal health.

Stress is caused by our reaction to life's changes. Our bodies and minds react to change, seeking to maintain constancy. The resulting balancing act is called homeostasis. Everything alive lives in balance with change or stress.

Stress is a part of life. It's impossible to totally get rid of stress. We all learn to live with and adapt to stress. Yet some types of stress we call good stress or "eustress". Eustress is enjoyable.

Types of "good" stress may include:

• Athletic competition
• Finishing a project
• Completing a degree
• Physical exercise
• Getting married
  

Other types of stress are disturbing. We call these types of stress distress or bad stress. Examples:

• Personal injury
• Death of a loved one
• Excessive debt
• Loss of job

Physical, Mental and Emotional Responses to Stress

Reactions to stress include:

• Anxiety
• Anger
• Apprehension
• Increased muscle tension
• Spinal postural changes
• Rapid shallow breathing
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood sugar

These reactions affect our minds, our nervous systems, and spinal columns.

Stress Busters

• 2 minute stress busters
• Get your spine adjusted
• Stretch and relax/ breathe deeply
• Exercise/engage in recreational activities
• Be optimistic/practice positive thinking
• Eat a well-balanced natural diet, with plenty of whole grains, vegetables and fruit
• Prioritize your time and activities
• Volunteer in service to others
• Attend worship services
• Take a break from your routine
• Read an inspirational book
• Pray, reflect or meditate. Practice thankfulness.

Learn to set realistic expectations for yourself in order to avoid internal conflict. Realize you are not alone in facing life's challenges. Don't be too hard on yourself.

Adapting to Stress

Prolonged stress affects our nervous, endocrine, and immune systems profoundly. Poor adaptation can lead to anxiety, hostility, burnout and immune compromise. It is important to recognize some of the signs and symptoms associated with excessive stress. These include:

• Chronic spinal disturbances and tension
• Poor sleep quality
• Feelings of anxiety, hostility or depression
• Overeating

How to get help:

• First recognize that you have difficulty dealing with stress
• Talk over things that trouble you with friends, relatives or professionals whom you trust
• Try not to be too demanding on yourself
• Have your chiropractor check your back for spinal stress.