POSITIVE HEALING

What is Stress?

Definition - mental, emotional or physical strain. The term stress is short for distress. Distress evolved from Latin meaning ' to draw or pull apart' and the Romans used the term districtia to describe 'a being torn asunder'.

There are two separate but closely linked elements of stress. The Physical and the Psychological.

On a Psychological level, stress has been described as a feeling of being overwhelmed or unable to cope. This can lead to frustration, despondency and a sense of poor self esteem. As a result this can lead to poor work performance and relationship problems, whether at work or at home.

At a physical level, the stress pushes the body to run on adrenaline in a state of continuous 'fight and flight'. This is normally a normal response to a situation as in a response to danger where it prepares the body to use muscular strength to run or fight. So it is only therefore designed for a short term response. When this state of continuous 'fight and flight' occurs for days/weeks or even months it causes considerable damage to the mind and body resulting in many physical symptoms associated with stress.

What causes stress?

Symptoms of Stress

Stress in the workplace is fairly widespread; four out of five workers believe their working evironment to be more stressful than five years ago. For the employer this can result in poor performance from their workforce.

There is helpful and bad stress. The helpful stress or eustress as it is known, prepares the body for the 'fight and flight' response by preparing the heart, muscles and mind for the strength required. This is a normal response to a stressful situation. Stress is good and required for creativity for when inspiration is needed and also for competitive athletes to perform well. Positive stress helps with motivation and with accomplishing things. It enables the push to move forward and make positive changes in life. Once the danger or event is over, the body function goes back to normal.

Today's lifestyle of lack of exercise, over work and lack of sleep has been linked to heart disease and stress. As the body is pushed continuously into the 'fight and flight' response and the stress hormones released each time are not used up by a physical activity, it can put a strain on the heart and arteries. In time these will become damaged. Regular exercise reduces the physiological effect from stress and actually strengthens the heart and increases blood supply.

In circumstances where the mind and body under goes stress continuously, is known as negative stress or distress. When this occurs, the body keeps preparing for the 'fight and flight' response. This fluctuation of increase and decrease in stress hormones has a detrimental affect on the body. If this process is repeated where the stress levels go up and down, then the hormones and energy stores become exhausted. Stress hormones that are released in this process also have an effect on the limbic system in the brain. The limbic system is associated with our emotions. As the body and mind become imbalanced, the link between the two is affected. When this happens the mind feels it is continually being threatened and the body becomes too tired to deal with it.

Physiological effects of stress on the body 

The hypothalamus in the brain is concerned with the secretion and control of different hormones in the body. It secretes a hormone known as Adenocorticotrophic releasing hormone (ARH). This stimulates the pituitary gland to then secrete the Adenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). This hormone has an affect on the adrenal glands which are situated on top of the kidneys. It is here where the stress hormones Adrenaline and Cortisol are released. These two hormones are responsible for the physiological effects from stress. Adrenalin is released first and doesn't tend to stay around for very long as the normal 'fight and flight' response is normally short lived. In a constant stressful situation the Cortisol is then released and this does stay in the system longer. Cortisol however is required in other processes such as laying down of new memories. But elevated levels of Cortisol affects the memory and if prolonged, can damage the hippocampus, the part of the brain which is concerned with memory. The hippocampus is linked to the limbic system. This damage to the hippocampus can result in difficulty in laying down of new memories and also retrieving past memories. Elevated Cortisol levels also suppresses the Serotonin levels. This imbalance of biochemistry can lead to ill health and psychosocial disorders. Serotonin plays an important role in the regulation of anger, aggression, sleep, mood, sexuality and apetite. Low levels of the Serotonin is then associated with disorders of anger, aggression, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, fibromyalgia and other psychological disorders.

What effect stress has on the body

There is a diversion of the blood supply away from the less vital organs. This means away from the skin, spleen and digestive system. It is diverted to the lungs and heart.

This can result in the following changes:

• Skin - skin aliments ocurr and sometimes feels cold and clammy.
• Spleen - blood being diverted from the spleen, the spleen shrinks. Lowers the immunity. 
• Digestive System - there is poor digestion. The mouth and throat become dry and difficult to swallow. Loose stools from increased peristalsis of the colon. Stress is also associated with other digestive disorders such as Crohn's disease. There may be a link to stomach ulcers.
• Immunity - Cortisol is an immunosupressant and with increased levels there are increased flare ups of allergic disorders. Immunity is affected and there is a higher risk of infections and the inability to fight infection. recovery is slower.
• Cardiovascular - the Adrenalin released increases the heart rate and cardiac output. Blood pressure is also raised. This is to supply blood more quickly around the body.
• Respiratory - also acts on the lungs and increases the respiratory rate to help increase the oxygen supply.
• Psychological - suppressed Serotonin increases symptoms with anxiety, depression, panic attacks and other psychological disorders.

Adrenalin is responsible for the rapid release of glucose and fatty acids into the blood stream. This then causes a breakdown of glycogen stores in the liver and muscle to get more glucose.

Stress can be helped in several ways. Take time out to relax and have fun. Go for walks, exercise, listen to music or meditate. Involving in hobbies is very good and has been shown to be therapeutic. If you require help with any stress related symptoms then please call to discuss which therapy may be suitable for you.