I've written about stress so many times that I was shocked to find out that I hadn't written any posts specifically on stress. So, without further ado, here is my post on stress because I feel very strongly about this topic.
The effects of stress can creep up on you over time. A lot of times, we don't even know we're stressed until it's too late. Unfortunately, avoiding stress altogether is just not an option for most of us. Stress exists all around us whether we try to avoid it or not. That's why it's so important to recognize the signs before it becomes a detrimental issue.
An overabundance of stress in your daily life can cause weight gain, insomnia, anxiety, depression, headaches, low energy, diarrhea, constipation, poor digestion, frequent illness, aches, pains, tense muscles, and low sex drive.
Stress is the enemy when it comes to maintaining your health. When you are under stress, hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline are released. This causes your heart rate to rise, your blood vessels to dilate, your metabolism decreases, and extra glucose is released into your bloodstream to provide you with more fuel to “fly.” This is called “fight or flight.” Your body goes into this state of stress when you feel as if you are in danger.
Stress is also one of he worst offenders when it comes to low immune system and illness. Keeping your stress levels to a minimum is extremely important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Fear, anxiety, and even unresolved anger can cause a cascading effect on the body eventually damaging the adrenals, gut, and the repair capabilities of the body. It is important to be at peace.
Find something that makes you happy. A little self-care every day, even if it's a 5-minute power nap, is healthy and important for sanity. Give yourself time to relax and breathe. Breathing is actually one of the best things you can do when you're stressed and having a bad day. Take deep breaths to release tension and anxiety.
If you would like some more stress-relieving tips, I recommend you pick up your copy of A Dancer's Diary today. There are great tips on how to avoid extreme stress as well as how to avoid burnout.
Until next time,
Amanda
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