Guest Post, written by
Danniece Bobeche, MSN, WHNP
What is stress? Where does it come from? What does it do to our minds and bodies? These are age old questions without any clear cut answers. First we need to understand the meaning and definition of stress as it plays out in our lives.
Stress is sometimes described as an individual’s response to change. This may include positive events such as marriage, retirement, or a new job, as well as negative, devastating losses or challenges that crop up in our lives. Some people tend to have daily dilemmas and stress over simple things in life. Job stress, economic woes, caring for loved ones all take their toll. Some levels of stress are thought to be beneficial; for example, seeing that crazy driver in your rear view mirror and changing lanes just in the nick of time. However, prolonged and unmanaged stress can have devastating consequences to our physical, mental and emotional well being.
Your stress may be linked to exogenous factors that are unalterable or difficult to eliminate, such as:
- Death of a loved one
- Disturbing world events
- Taking care of a loved one
- Unpredictable life events
- Employment related issues
- Family dysfunction
- Draining relationships
·Stress can also be triggered by any number of “fixable” variables including:
- Poor diet
- Lack of exercise
- Misplacing the keys
- Negative attitudes and feelings
- Overextending your obligations
- Electronic devices, social media and e-mail
- Watching a sensational murder trial
- Unrealistic expectations
- Misbehaving pets
Cause and Effect
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, up to 75 percent of office visits to family physicians are due to stress-related symptoms. The American Psychological Association states stress is linked to the six leading causes of death – heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide. Stress can suppress our immune systems rendering us more susceptible to illnesses. Premature aging is not just an effect of over exposure to sunshine but can be directly correlated to major stress. The devastating effect of life’s stressors can put a real damper on our interpersonal relationships, as well. Other health related illnesses related to stress include headaches, insomnia, back pain, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, peptic ulcers, chronic fatigue, weight loss, weight gain, depression, anxiety, and more.
Think of stress as a rubber band — if stretched to extreme, it will break; release the tension and it will return to its normal state. The old adage of “fight or flight” comes into play, some stressors we can change; others must be managed differently or eliminated altogether.
There are no standard tools to measure stress levels making this diagnosis difficult to quantify. Although, stress does elevate the level of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Prolonged cortisol elevation attributes to adrenal fatigue, a very popular diagnosis which has gained lots of attention in recent times (another topic altogether).
Stress zaps all of our essential hormone levels, as one interesting research study revealed. A group of women in very powerful, executive positions were studied. Their hormone levels were monitored daily while they were actively working as well as caring for their families. The results showed diminished or depleted levels of circulating hormones. The study continued by sending these “lucky” women to Tahiti for some much needed R&R. Hormonal monitoring continued everyday while vacationing and revealed perfectly normal ranges. Duh, take away the stress triggers of daily living and all is well. I could have told you that without a study!
Coping with the Unavoidables
When we encounter multiple or daily challenges that “stress us out” and cannot be eliminated, it is important to find coping mechanisms to avoid the known health consequences prolonged stress responses can cause. No two individuals react to the same stressors in the same manner. Therefore, everyone has to determine what stresses them and the best coping skills to activate when things spiral out of control. Yes, that pint of Ben and Jerry’s or bottle of vino may provide a temporary euphoria but cause more harm than good in the long run.
Take some time to identify the things that push your buttons. Make a list and determine which of these factors are changeable and which can be altered. Other things in our lives that we cannot change (e.g., our families) have to be accepted and managed in a healthy fashion. Unfortunately we can’t just eliminate the spouse or in-laws from the list; but we can choose to respond in a more effective manner. If caring for a loved one or grieving a loss, seek relief from others. Find a support group in your area and/or seek counseling.
Always find time for YOU. On a regular basis, I express to my patients the importance of taking some time for themselves. Even if it is a 15-20 minute break to do something you’re passionate about, this time can be so effective in restoring your abilities to cope. This brings to mind the instructions by flight attendants, if anyone even listens anymore. They instruct you to place the oxygen mask over your mouth and nose before trying to assist others. OK, there you have it…….take some time each day to do something special just for YOU. Tell the others in your life not to bother you unless the house is burning down. The world will keep turning while you relax and recharge.
Keep it simple, Silly
Then there are stressors that can be altered, avoided, changed or even eliminated. Here are just a few suggestions:
- Eat more fresh fruits and veggies
- Take a walk in the park or other scenic spot
- Find one place for the keys and stick to it
- Think positive
- Just say NO (Thank you, Nancy Reagan)
- Occasionally turn OFF the smart phone and computer
- Turn off the TV
- Expect nothing and never be disappointed
- Delay self-imposed deadlines
- Avoid draining relationships
- Hire a dog whisperer
- Try a little mental floss (Jimmy Buffett style)
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) includes non-pharmaceutical therapies that may be used in addition to or instead of traditional, conventional medicine as we know it. These alternatives have existed and been utilized in Eastern Medicine (Asian countries) for hundreds of years. The popularity of CAM has grown in the United States even being recognized and paid for by some insurance companies. There are many options to choose from, find one or several that sound appealing to you. More information about CAM can be accessed at http://nccam.nih.gov.
Therapeutic massage comes to mind as an all time stress buster in this category. Just in case you are not fortunate enough to have a masseuse on retainer, there are several methods you can learn to practice on your own to combat the effects of stress. These techniques can be used anytime, anywhere, without cost or prescription and as often as you like. Restorative yoga is my favorite (think play “dead dog” for 30-45 minutes). This special yoga technique and positioning can totally restore your ability to face the world with a fresh approach after just one session. Meditation is the art of tuning everything/everyone out and is easy to learn. A great resource for this technique can be found at www.mayoclinic.com/health/meditation. Deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery are all wonderful paths to euphoria. More information regarding relaxation techniques, including restorative yoga, can be accessed on the resources link at www.danniece.com. Aromatherapy, Hydrotherapy and Pet Therapy are other options for stress management on a daily basis; think candles, bubble bath/beach or petting the dog, not necessarily at the same time. Touch therapy or physical contact has been shown to decrease cortisol (stress hormone) levels up to 53% according to recent studies. Furthermore, regular sexual intimacy in emotionally healthy relationships can reduce stress and lengthen the lifespan significantly, according to The Longevity Project, a research study by Dr. Howard Friedman. Biofeedback, facilitated by a professional, is also a great method for stress management if self-guided modalities fail or you need direction. Or simply try Music therapy (free, no Rx needed), as the University of Maryland found 30 minutes of listening to classical music has the same calming effect on the brain as a 10mg Valium. YES, please turn it up and tune out the stress!
Because research has proven that our hormones can be severely altered by stress, you might consider the benefits of replacement. Cortisol, pregnenolone, DHEA, and progesterone, as well as neurotransmitters, can be depleted by stress. There are safe options for treatment available but DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. Seek competent medical advice from a qualified health professional before beginning any form of hormone replacement therapy. It is important to have your hormone levels evaluated to determine imbalance and which replacements would be beneficial to you. No two individuals are the same. Doses vary and should be monitored by a healthcare provider specifically trained in this specialized area of healthcare.
Now that we have identified numerous tools to enhance those feel good endorphins, let’s get started …….
Find a comfortable spot to sit or recline, close your eyes, take in a full, deep breath — filling your lungs to capacity; as you exhale slowly and completely, relax all of your muscles and imagine that you are on a beautiful island or other magical destination, far from daily stress triggers. Now, CHILLAX!