How can I deal with Stress

The effect of stress on the body
Since the beginning of time as soon as we become stressed, our body switches into a response known as “fight or flight”. This is to prepare us to either fight a dangerous situation or do a 100 metre dash from it. Very appropriate when faced with a sabre toothed tiger, not so helpful when the computer crashes! The stress activates a release of adrenaline in to our blood stream causing a number of changes in the body.

These include:

The muscles tense ready for action. It is no surprise that many people feel tension in their neck and shoulders when we instinctively prepare for a fight. Unfortunately, in modern day work life, this tension can stay in our body, as we do nothing to reduce it and remain physically inactive, often slumped over a desk or the wheel of a car.

The pupils dilate (get bigger) to see further. In ancient times there was no such thing as street lighting, but today we are bombarded with light, particularly the fluorescent variety, which, when our pupils dilate, may contribute to headaches.

The heart beats harder and faster to pump more blood to the muscles of the legs for that hundred metre dash. Again, if we were active during the fight or flight response this would not present us with health problems, but invariably we are sedentary leading to rapid heart beat and palpitations.

The breathing becomes rapid and shallow often leading to us feeling more stressed. When we breathe in shallowly we do not breathe in enough life giving oxygen. Nor do we breathe out enough carbon dioxide. Too much carbon dioxide in the blood makes it acidic and the body, especially the brain, cannot function well on acidic blood. We also do not get enough life giving oxygen into the body. No wonder we feel tired!

Cholesterol is released from the liver for extra energy. This is the dirty word of our times. If we were active during our times of stress, we would burn up that excess cholesterol, but again our inactivity leads to the cholesterol clogging up our arteries and causing heart disease.

Blood is diverted from the digestive system to the muscles, causing us to feel nauseous if we have just eaten, or we experience a loss of appetite. Alternatively we may crave sugary foods from which we can get instant energy, because our saliva contains enzymes that digest the sugars. This, however, creates huge imbalances in our blood sugar levels and consequently mood swings. Stress can literally upset our stomach leading to ulcers, irritable bowel, constipation, diarrhoea and indigestion.

Because the body is so busy coping with stress, immunity is suppressed. Have you ever noticed how you get more run down when stressed, perhaps getting mouth ulcers, cold sores, spots and colds.

Oh boy, what a depressing list! But understanding these responses helps us comprehend why we feel the way we do when stressed; the sleeplessness (adrenaline buzzing around the body keeps us awake), the indigestion, the headaches, the tension, the mood swings, the inability to concentrate, the wanting to withdraw, the tearfulness, the agitation … and so on.

Understanding these effects and recognizing them as warning signals, is a great step towards finding a remedy to the situation.

Remedies for stress

A regular massage with help ease muscular tension, lower blood pressure, stimulate digestion and immunity, slow the heart rate and deepen breathing.

Learning to prioritise and manage your time will enhance a sense of being in control rather than pressure controlling you.

Communication, being open and showing your feelings to appropriate people will help release stress.

Safeguard your leisure time and be sure to have time to enjoy your hobbies, your friends and exercise. A few hours of quality leisure time will more than offset the stress of a busy job. “A change is as good as a rest” is really true!

Look after your diet as a poor diet will only add to your stress. Too much caffeine, sugar, alcohol, convenience foods, salt, additives and fats will adversely affect your mental state.

Regular exercise will help burn up the stress hormone adrenaline and will improve the body’s ability to utilize oxygen, thereby energizing the body.

Take time out to be quiet and reflective. Often when we are in a relaxed state answers to problems come easily and effortlessly, whilst sweating over them at work has produced no results.

Attend one of our courses;

Performing Under Pressure
Life Balance

Call us now to discuss your organisation's training requirements:
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