Stress on the Body

There is a lot of press of late regarding the NHS and I thought a piece on stress and its impact on the body would be a good topic.

Everyone expresses stress from time to time. It is a natural and physical reaction to experiences.  Stress results in anything from daily responsibilities to exceptional circumstances.

Even if it doesn’t feel good, some stress can be healthy as it helps to push and motivate yourself and others. Your body responds to stress by releasing hormones that increase your heart and breathing rates and ready your muscles to respond.

However, stress on the body remaining unchecked can have more serious side effects such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.

Keeping an eye on changes in your body and moody can give you the edge in managing stress.

Common effects of stress on your body include:

• Headache
• Muscle tension or pain 
• Chest pain 
• Fatigue
• Change in sex drive 
• Stomach upset 
• Sleep problems 

Common effects of stress on your mood can include:

• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Lack of motivation or focus 
• Feeling overwhelmed 
• Irritability or anger 
• Sadness or depression 
• And lastly, common effects of stress on your behavior can result in:
• Over or under eating
• Angry outbursts 
• Drug or alcohol abuse 
• Tobacco use 
• Social withdrawal 
• Exercising less often

Ways to Manage Stress: 

If you have stress symptoms, and sometimes it is difficult to diagnose these symptoms, start by taking steps to manage your stress. Start with these easy ways to manage:

• Get regular physical activity
• Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, tai chi or getting a massage
• Socialise with family and friends
• Set aside time for hobbies, such as reading a book or listening to music
• Keep a sense of humor

Be sure to get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated and eat a healthy, balanced diet. Try to cut down on tobacco, excess caffeine and alcohol intake.  I know it sounds preachy, but it does help!

Intulo Health is able to assist by providing specific massage techniques that can help release tension in the body. Massage stimulates blood circulation that can help with moving toxins from the body which could be adding to stress within the body. Releasing tension in the neck and shoulders with deep tissue massage is something we specialise in as well as teaching our patients how to breathe effectively and how to recruit the right muscles to enable the body to release tension. 

Contact Amanda to discuss your options on amanda@intulohealth.com or ring 01202 443892 to book your appointment with Amanda, Rachel or Paolo.