Australian employees are absent for an average of 3.2 working days each year through stress. This workplace stress costs the Australian economy approximately $14.2 billion. To know that 90% of all illnesses are related to stress and that every book available at Amazon based on health and relaxation there are double the number related to stress it's fair to say then it is a big topic that effects a lot of people. Well, with the release of our own new book this year on 'Stress', here is a sneak preview on some interesting facts that can help combat it.

 

 

The term stress was first employed in a biological context by the endocrinologist Hans Selye in the 1930s. 

 

Stress has been called “the silent killer”. It is linked to the six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, liver cirrhosis, and suicide.

 

Stress alters the neurochemical makeup of the body, which can affect the maturation and release of the human egg. Stress can also cause the fallopian tubes and uterus to spasm, which can affect implantation. Stress in men can affect sperm count and motility and can cause erectile dysfunction. In fact, stress may account for 30% of all infertility problems.

 

Stress can make all skin conditions worse such as acne and eczema, this is due to the rise in stress related inflammation within the body.

The stress hormone cortisol not only causes abdominal fat to accumulate, but it also enlarges individual fat cells, leading to what researchers call “diseased” fat.

 

 

 

Chronic stress can impair the developmental growth in children by lowering the production of growth hormone from the pituitary gland.

 

The term “stress” is derived from the Latin word stringere (to draw tight).

 

Chronic stress floods the brain with powerful hormones that are meant for short-term emergency situations. Chronic exposure can damage, shrink, and kill brain cells.

Chronic stress increases cytokines, which produce inflammation. Exposure to constant inflammation can damage arteries and other organs.

 

Stress can alter blood sugar levels, which can cause mood swings, fatigue, hyperglycemia, and metabolic syndrome, a major risk factor for heart attack and diabetes.

 

Chronic stress worsens irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that irritates the large intestine and causes constipation, cramping, and bloating.

 

 

 

Chronic stress decreases the body’s immune system’s response to infection.

 

Stress can increase the ability of chemicals to pass the blood-brain barrier, which shields neurons from some poisons, viruses, toxins, and other fluctuations in normal blood chemistry.

 

Stress increases the risk of pre-term labor and intrauterine infection. Additionally, chronic levels of stress place a fetus at greater risk for developing stress-related disorders and affect the fetus’s temperament and neuro-behavioral development.

 

Stress can result in more headaches as a result of the body rerouting blood flow to other parts of the body.

 

 

 

The hyper-arousal of the body’s stress response system can lead to chronic insomnia.

 

When cells shrink due to exposure to stress hormones, they disconnect from each other, which contributes to depression.

 

Stress creates hormonal changes in the human body that can decrease libido and sex response.

 

Extreme or sudden emotional trauma can lead to “broken heart syndrome”(BHS), or stress cardiomyopathy (severe heart muscle weakness). This condition occurs rapidly, and usually in women.

 

 

 

Long term stress dramatically speeds up the aging process.

 

Some people have become so accustomed to living with stress that they think this is their normal state! It needs to STOP!

 

 

 

Now let's see what we can do to eliminate or reduce stress levels!

 

Exercise is a powerful stress relief.

 

 

 

Chinese stress balls (Baoding balls) were created during the Ming dynasty(1368-1644) in Baoding, China. Originally made of iron, the balls are thought to relieve stress because they touch pressure or acupuncture points on the hand. 

 

Getting out and admiring nature, such as a beautiful garden has a calming effect on the nervous system, undoing the damage that stress causes. 

 

 

Taking a bath using essential oils like Lavender, Geranium, Rose, Chamomile are fantastic to help relax the mind and body. The Twenty8 De-Stress & Revive Blend or Instant Calm Blend are both amazing combinations of oils to alleviate the symptoms of stress.

 

 

Many natural therapies that work at calming and balancing the body systems are extremely beneficial to alleviate the negative effects of stress.

 

Eat foods as close to their natural source as possible. Go organic where possible. Buy foods from farmers markets and people committed to the welfare of your health and wellbeing. Avoid processed foods that are often loaded with chemicals, preservatives and synthetic ingredients that you would never find in your kitchen. This places a huge amount of stress on your digestive system.

 

 

 

Eliminate chemicals in your personal care products and around the home. This will help reduce stress on the body in ways you wouldn't even realise.

 

Laughter is a powerful stress reducer. Laughing lowers stress hormones (like cortisol, epinephrine, and adrenaline) and strengthens the immune system by releasing health-enhancing hormones.  

 

Eating moderate levels of dark chocolate reduces stress hormone levels. Research has shown that dark chocolate reduces stress hormones such as cortisol and other fight-flight hormones. Additionally, cocoa is rich in antioxidants called flavonoids.

 

 

 

 

Take special care...

Love Kim & Fleur

   

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