We've all heard it! Probably all said it. We fly off the handle for no apparent reason and then say, "Sorry. It's just stress!" We burst into tears at the drop of a hat, and say, "It's just stress." We can't sleep/ lose our appetite/ lose our sex drive ... "Just stress."
But did you know there's actually no such thing?
According to some pretty impressive research, especially from American universities, stress is pretty serious stuff. The Centers For Disease Control in Atlanta tell us that a massive 90% of all illnesses are stress related. Some authorities put it as high as 95%. So saying, "it's just stress," is like saying , 'It's just cancer," or, "It's just heart disease/diabetes/emphysema." Or "just" any number of other debilitating and life-threatening conditions.
Type "stress" into Google, and in 23 seconds it finds 944,000,000 results!
Neuro-science is daily finding new evidence pointing to the intimate connection between the body and the mind. Given the insane pace of modern life, and the stress that goes with it, maybe it's not such a coincidence that every second person you meet knows someone who has, or has had, cancer. Maybe the increased incidence of heart disease is no surprise either. And don't even get me started on the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry and it's myriad of drugs prescribed for the relief of stress, and its side-kicks, anxiety and depression!
We all experience stress to some degree, and indeed the stress response, better known as the “flight or fight” response, is specifically to help to save our lives in times of danger. When we perceive a danger, and a threat to our survival, the autonomic nervous system goes into action. We momentarily stop breathing and then our system is flooded with adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol, which sends energy to our muscles in preparation for the coming fight or flight. Everything in our system that is not immediately needed to keep us safe temporarily shuts down as energy is directed to the muscles. This includes our cell functions and our immune system.
The problem is, that the increasing situational stress of our busy lives causes the flight/fight response to be activated inappropriately. Unless there is actual danger, and we use up the stress hormones through movement, they stay in our bodies for much longer than they should. Often they have not dispersed before the next stressful situation comes along, and repeats the process. And so we get a build-up of stress hormones, and a build-up of stress, while at the same time our healing systems, particularly our immune system, are constantly deprived of what they need to function properly. It does not take a genius to see how this will eventually impact on our health. Research shows that:
· Forty-three percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress.
· Seventy-five percent to 90% of all doctor's office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.
· Stress can play a part in problems such as headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, arthritis, depression, and anxiety.
· The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) declared stress a hazard of the workplace. Stress costs American industry more than $300 billion annually.
· The lifetime prevalence of an emotional disorder is more than 50%, often due to chronic, untreated stress reactions.
(Information taken from WebMD http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/effects-of-stress-on-your-body)
Stress affects people from all walks of life. It is NOT a sign of weakness. It is real, and it’s potentially dangerous. Because it’s not always possible, at any given time, to take 20 minutes out to do some vigorous exercise, the best immediate (but temporary) relief measure is to stop what you’re doing and take several deep breaths, while repeating the word “relax” to yourself. Try it next time “the idiot in the car behind, who shouldn’t have a licence anyway” appears to be trying to hook up to your towbar!
Ultimately, though, if you are suffering from more stress than you can reasonably be expected to cope with (see my website for details: www.thameshypnotherapyandreiki.com ) you need to find a longer-lasting solution, for the sake of your long-term health and for the sake of the people on whom it impacts.
