Stress is any reaction to a
emotional, or mental, or physical event which happens that upsets your
body's natural balance. People are familiar with things that cause
stress but here are some that you may not be aware of: crowds, noise,
air pollution, temperature changes, overwork, smoking, and worry. Stress
causes the body to use up nutrients and at the same time people often
start eating poorly. Many are already eating a bad diet which makes
stress even more noticeable. Long term stress is a serious problem and
plays a role in many health problems and diseases.
The word “stress” refers to any reaction to a physical,
mental, or emotional stimulus that upsets the body’s natural
balance. These days, stress is an unavoidable part of human life. It
may occur from many things, both psychological and physical. Pressures
and deadlines at work, problems with family, friends, or loved ones,
paying bills, and the holidays are normal sources of stress for many
persons. Less obvious everyday sources
include: dealing with crowds, noise, traffic, pain,
extremes of temperature, and even welcome events such as starting a new job or the birth or
adoption of a child. Overwork, lack of sleep, physical
illness,
excessive alcohol
consumption, and
smoking are common physical
issues that put
stress on a person's body.
Some people make their own stress;
whether there is anything objectively wrong in their lives or
not, they will find things to constantly worry and think about. Some people handle
stress well. Other people are very negatively influenced by it.
Stress can cause fatigue, chronic headaches, irritability,
changes in appetite, memory loss, low self-esteem, withdrawal,
tooth-grinding, cold hands,
high
blood pressure, shallow breathing, nervous twitches,
lowered sexual drive,
insomnia or
other changes in sleep patterns, and/or gastrointestinal
disorders and
peptic ulcers. Stress creates an
increased risk for many other forms of illness. Researchers estimate that stress contributes to
around 80% of all major illnesses, including
cardiovascular
disease,
cancer, endocrine and
metabolic disease, skin disorders, and infectious problems of
all types. Many psychiatrists believe that the majority of
back
problems - one of the most common adult ailments in the
USA are related to stress. Stress is also a common
precursor of psychological difficulties such as
anxiety
and
depression.
While stress is
often viewed as a mental or psychological problem, it has very
real physical effects upon the body. The body responds to stress with a
series of physiological changes that include increased
secretion of adrenaline, elevation of blood pressure,
acceleration of the heartbeat, and greater tension in the
muscles. Digestion slows or stops, fats and sugars are
released from stores in the body,
cholesterol
levels rise, and the composition of the blood changes
slightly, making it more prone to clotting. Almost all body
functions and organs react to stress. The pituitary gland
increases its production of adrenocorticotropic hormone, which in turn stimulates the release of the hormones
cortisone and cortisol. These have the effect of inhibiting
the functioning of disease fighting white blood cells and
weakens the immune system. This complex of physical
changes is often known as the "fight or flight" response,
and is apparently designed to prepare one to face an immediate
danger. Today, most of our stresses are not the result of
physical threats, but the body still responds as if they were.
The increased production of adrenal hormones is responsible
for most of the symptoms associated with stress. It is also
the reason that stress can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Increased adrenaline production causes the body to step up its
metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to quickly
produce energy for the body to use. This response causes the
body to excrete amino acids, potassium, and phosphorus; to
deplete magnesium stored in muscle tissue; and to store less
calcium. Thus the body does not absorb ingested nutrients very
well when under stress. The result is that, especially with
recurring or prolonged stress, the body becomes at once
deficient in many nutrients and unable to replace them as
needed.
Many of the disorders that arise from stress are
the result of nutritional deficiencies, especially
deficiencies of the vitamin B complex family, which are very
important for proper functioning of the nervous system, and of
certain electrolytes, which are reduced by the body's stress
reaction. Stress also causes the formation of free radicals
that can become oxidized and damage body tissues, especially
the cell membranes. Many people attribute their stress related
symptoms to "nerves," and in fact stress normally does
first affect the parts of the body that are related to the
nervous system, especially the digestive organs.
Symptoms of stress related digestive disorders may be a
flare-up of an
ulcer or
irritable
bowel syndrome. If stress that produces such symptoms is
not handled properly, then more serious illnesses may result.
Stress can be either acute or long-term. Long-term stress is
particularly dangerous. A state of continual stress eventually
wears out the body. Because of its effect on immune response,
stress increases susceptibility to illness and slows healing.
A good nutritional supplemental program will help
prevent and heal from stress problems.
Nutrient /
Supplement |
Importance
( 1 - 10 ) |
Helpful notes |
Multi-vitamin
& Mineral supplement |
10 |
contains vitamin E,
vitamin B complex, vitamin C, magnesium, manganese, selenium, and zinc which
are all beneficial for
both the treatment and prevention of stress. These nutrients in
a daily supplement are required by the human body for good general
health and well being. |
Pyridoxine |
10 |
vitamin B6 needed for
good health and for the nervous system |
Cyanocobalamin |
10 |
vitamin B12 works with
B6 and other nutrients |
Pantothenic
acid |
10 |
vitamin B5 is an anti
stress vitamin that is required by the thymus gland |
Bioflavinoids |
9 |
bioflavonoids are essential to adrenal gland operation
and it is known that
stress will lower and deplete the adrenal hormones The adrenal
hormones are called anti-stress hormones. Poor diet is normally a factor
in not getting enough bioflavonoids. People
simply do not eat enough good quality fruits and vegetables. |
Aloe
vera |
8 |
herb that is very helpful in
fighting body stress. It also
aids with sleep and is often used with the herbs Kava kava and chamomile in an
herbal blend. |
Kava
kava |
8 |
herb useful for stress, worry,
anxiety, and for meditation |
Frankincense
resin |
8 |
helps to calm and sooth the body
and it works very well with hte herb aloe vera |
vitamin
B complex |
10 |
all B vitamins are needed for health and good functioning of
the nervous system. They are also known as the anti-stress
vitamin family. |
Calcium |
9 |
calcium is lost form
the body when stress occurs so a
good supplement with calcium, supporting
herbs, and magnesium may be helpful. |
Magnesium |
9 |
this mineral works with calcium |
Lecithin |
8 |
for cell protection and brain
function |
Potassium |
8 |
mineral is depleted when under
stress |
Selenium |
8 |
strong anti oxidant that also help
with anxiety |
Zinc |
7 |
for immune function and general
health |
Learn the 90/10 Secret rules & Change Your Life!
The 90/10 rule is incredible and very few know and apply this
rule. The result?
-
Millions of people are suffering undeserved stress, trials, problems, and heartache. They never seem to be a success in life. Bad days follow bad days. Terrible things seem to be constantly happening.
Theirs is constant stress, lack of joy, and broken relationships. Worry consumes time, anger breaks friendships, and life seems dreary and is not enjoyed to the
fullest.
-
Friends are lost. Life is a bore and often even seems cruel. Does this describe you? If so, do not be discouraged. You can be different!
Understand and apply the 90/10 secret. It will change your life!
What is this secret?
What does this mean?
-
We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us.
-
We cannot stop the car from breaking down.
-
The plane may be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule
off.
-
A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over
this 10%.
The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%! How? By your reaction.
-
You cannot control a red light, but you can control your reaction.
-
Don't let people fool you, YOU can control how you react!
Let's use an example...
-
You're eating breakfast with your family.
-
Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt.
-
You have no control over what just happened.
-
What happens next will be determined by how you react.
-
You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the coffee cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup to close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows.
You storm upstairs and change your shirt.
-
Back downstairs you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work, so you rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph zone.
-
After a 15 minute delay - and throwing away
£120 on a traffic speeding ticket - you arrive at school. Your daughter runs to the building without saying good-bye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terribly.
-
As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to going home. When you arrive home you find a small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter. Why? Because of how you reacted in the
morning
Why did you have a bad day?
-
Did the coffee cause it?
-
Did your daughter cause it?
-
Did the Policeman cause it?
-
Did you cause it?
The answer is 4. You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.
Here is what could have and should have happened...
-
Coffee splashes over you.
-
Your daughter is about to cry.
-
You gently say "It's OK honey, you just need to be more careful next time".
-
Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs.
-
After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase.
-
You come back down in time look through the window and see your child getting on the bus.
-
She turns and waves. You and your spouse kiss before you both go to work.
-
You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on what a good day you are already having. And from there it just gets better.
Notice the difference. Two different scenarios.
Both started the same. Each ended differently. Why?
Because of how you REACTED.
You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens.
The other 90% is determined by your reaction.
Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 secret.
-
If someone says something negative about you, do not be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You do not have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out, etc.
-
How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you loose your temper? Pound the steering wheel? (A friend of
mine had the steering wheel fall off!) Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them?
WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let that other driver ruin your drive. Remember the 90-10
principle, and don't worry about it!
-
You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep or get irritated? It will work out. Use your "worrying" energy and time into finding another job.
-
The plane is late. It is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger, etc. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse.
Now you know the 90-10 rule
Apply it and you will be amazed at the positive results.
Get started today!
Other Changes To Make
-
drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or
filtered water a day
-
eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)
-
nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good
-
juice is good (make your
own with a juice machine)
-
do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods
-
carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack
-
a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)
-
do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks
-
do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...
-
use stress relief like going for walks in the park
(or the 10/90 rule - see
Stress)
-
brown rice is good to eat
-
avoid red meat and animal fats
-
reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others
-
fast a few days a month
-
get at least 8 hours of sleep
-
exercise light to moderate amounts
-
avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet
-
do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke
-
do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal
-
do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry
-
do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else
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