Stress can be very damaging to your body as well as to your overall well-being. Stress is a “fight or flight” reaction to your surroundings. Adrenaline is released causing an increased heartbeat. At the expense of other area s of your body, the blood supply is shunted to specific muscles and organs preparing for flight or fight.
Emotional reactions to prolonged stress include an
xiety and depression. High stress levels have also been linked to cardiovasc ular disease, musculoskeletal problems, lowered immune system and even cancer.
Here are 3 quick methods you can use to reduce the impact of stress:
1. Self massage – Northwestern Health Sciences University suggests these simple techniques:
· Scalp Soother – place your thumbs behind your ears while spreading your fingers on top of your head. Move your scalp back and forth slightly by making circles with your fingertips for 15-20 seconds.
· Easy on the Eyes – close your eyes and place your ring fingers directly under your eyebrows, near the bridge of your nose. Slowly increase the pressure for 5-10 seconds, then gently release. Repeat 2-3 times.
· Sinus Pressure Relief – place your fingertips at the bridge of your nose. Slowly slide your fingers down your nose and across the top of your cheekbones to the outside of your eyes.
· Shoulder Tension Relief – reach one arm across the front of your body to your opposite shoulder. Using a circular motion, press firmly on the muscle above your shoulder blade. Repeat on the other side.
2. Research at the Mayo Clinic indicates that longer term, spirituality can address the impact of stress:
· Focus on personal goals. This helps clarify what’s truly important so you can set aside items of less impact thus reducing stress.
· Connect to the world through friends, family and people of similar belief. By finding company in others, you feel less alone and helpless. When you recognize the connections you have with others, it helps empower and support you. It can even help you feel more at peace.
· Release control. When you let go of having to make something happen, and instead allow yourself to observe events in your life as they unfold, you are able to choose a response instead of simply react.
3. Learn mindfulness. Mindfulness exercises are a form of easy meditation. It helps wipe away the stress of the day and replaces it with an inner peace. Whether at the beginning of the day or in the evening, the effects are noticeable.
For Cynthia’s Comments… Keep reading….
