Stress Management Program
Is stress external or internal? Is it conscious? Is it subconscious?
Stressors include anything, which stimulates the nervous system to respond. This response will require the use hormones and nutrients in the reserve. Stressors create increased nervous system activity and result in stimulation of cortisol production, use of B vitamins, Magnesium, Vitamin C, DHEA and all substances needed for a fight or flight response.
Most of us are aware of stressors that are evident. These are the stressors that we are conscious of such as:
- Illness
- Death
- Loss of job
- Loss of partner
- Moving
- Financial constraints
- Relationships
- Accidents
- Big life changes
Sub-concious stressors have the same, if not more toxic effect on the body. These are stressors, which exist but may not be perceived consciously such as:
- Past traumatic childhood, adolescent, and/or adult experiences
- News of natural disasters, human misbehaviors and suffering
- Commitments
- Phone alerts and ringers
- Noise
- Crowds of people
- Human drama
- People
- Conversation
- Clutter and dirt
Ultimately any one of theses stressors will deplete the body. So reducing these stimuli and our perception of them is protective.
How does ACUTE stress affect body functions?
When a MAJOR perceived ACUTE stress is experienced (such as car accident, unexpected death), it stimulates the adrenal glands to produce, cortisol, adrenaline or noradrenaline, which facilitate immediate physical reactions associated with a preparation for violent muscular action. These include the following:
- Acceleration of heart and lung action
- Paling or flushing, or alternating between both
- Inhibition of stomach and upper-intestinal action (digestion slows down or stops)
- General effect on the sphincters of the body (loss of urine, stool)
- Constriction of blood vessels in many parts of the body (increased BP)
- Liberation of nutrients (particularly fat and glucose) for muscular action
- Dilation of blood vessels for muscles
- Inhibition of the lacrimal gland (responsible for tear production) and salivation
- Dilation of pupil
- Relaxation of bladder (loss of urine)
- Inhibition of erection
- Body (loss of urine, stool)
- Constriction of blood vessels in many parts of the body (increased BP)
- Liberation of nutrients (particularly fat and glucose) for muscular action
- Dilation of blood vessels for muscles
- Inhibition of the lacrimal gland (responsible for tear production) and salivation
- Auditory exclusion (loss of hearing)
- Tunnel vision (loss of peripheral vision)
- Disinhibition of spinal reflexes
- Shaking
When acute stressors resolve, the body/ adrenals build back its reserve for the next stressor.
How does CHRONIC stress affect body functions?
When stressors repeat and continue for over six months, they are considered CHRONIC stressors. Chronic stressors slowly deplete the body of nutrients and hormones. Eventually the body is depleted of its reserve and the adrenal gland is not capable of mounting a response. In this state of adrenal insufficiency major symptoms could include:
- Severe fatigue
- Body aches
- Allergies
- Multiple sensitivities
- Inflammation (noticed most in joints and skin)S
- Panic attacks
- Salt and sugar cravings
- Waking in the middle of the night
- Suppression of immune system (frequent colds, cancer)
- Acceleration of all disease processes (Alzheimers, dementia, heart disease, skin disorders, arthritis and even cancer)
Stress is universal and can impact us on many levels in a negative way. Your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health is affected by the everyday stressors in your life. It is critical to manage your stress to live a healthy life.
We will partner with you through a step-by-step process of learning self-awareness and simple, effective stress relief techniques. These new habits will empower you with a positive mindset and confidence that you will be able to easily defeat and gain control over mental, emotional and physical stress in the future.
The Sessions will cover
• How to simply life
• Stress Awareness
• Stress Resilience
• Heartmath and other mindfulness techniques
• Creating healthy habits
• Sleep hygiene
• All natural stress relievers