Stress
The current human life is characterized by pressure, stress and frustrations. We have got so many issues in our lives to worry about than. A survey tells that 54%of the Americans are more concerned about their stress while 2/3 of the American people say they would seek help for stress if need arises.
Stress can be mental or even physical. Much our stress comes from the day to day obligations and responsibilities. In response to this, the body automatically increases the heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, metabolism, and blood flow to the body muscles.. This response is mean to help your body to react quickly and effectively.
The stress response
Often referred to as fight or flight reaction. It’s a reaction that occurs in one’s body when he or she feels threatened. This is meant to help the body fight the stress but if you are constantly threatened this may affect you negatively.
How stress affects your body
When one experiences stress the pituitary glands react by increasing the levels of a hormone called aadrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This stress hormone reacts in the fight to keep your body activities at a norm by increasing the blood pressure, heart rate, shutting down th digestive system and altering the immune system.
If you are a kind of person that experiences constant stress, your body will have no chance of recovering to its normal functionality and this may have adverse effects to the nervous system, digestive system, respiratory system and to the whole body in general.
If you had the following conditions at one time, it may be a sign that you suffered from stress:: anxiety, insomnia, back pain, relationship problems, constipation, shortness of breath, depression, fatigue, upset stomach, and weight gain or loss.
There are a number of ways in which you can avoid stress in life:
Relaxation
Here are some of the simple techniques to help you get started:
Relaxed breathing. This can be done through the following steps:
- Inhale with your mouth closed and with your shoulders relaxed. As you do this, push your stomach out and allow air to fill your diaphragm.
- Keep the air in your lungs lowly as you count to four
- Exhale through your mouth.
- Repeat the above for 5 times averagely.
Progressive muscle relaxation.
Tense each muscle of your body for about five seconds then relax for 30 seconds. Do this to the muscles at your feet, lower legs, upper legs, stomach, chest, shoulders, upper back, hands, neck, upper part of your face and the central part of your face.
Listen to soothing music
Exercise regularly.