How Stressed Out Are You?

How is your January going? I’ve heard from many people this month how stressed out they are. Recovering from the holiday stresses has been tough for some, and dealing with regular day-to-day stresses on top of that has made STRESS the top complaint at my office so far this year.

What is stress? When you react to something, whether it be physical, such as a car accident, or emotional, such as tough family interactions, your body goes into fight-or-flight response, which causes your adrenals to secrete cortisol.

Cortisol floods the body with glucose to provide muscles with an energy source. Cortisol reduces insulin production so the glucose can be used as energy right away, rather than being stored. It also narrows the arteries while epinephrine increases the heart rate, causing blood to pump faster and harder. STRESS!!! After you deal with the stressor, the hormones return to normal…at least they’re supposed to…

The problem? We live in such a fast paced world where things are always happening and affecting our peace that it’s hard for the body to go back to a relaxed, balanced state of homeostasis. When we can’t get back to homeostasis, it causes physical problems: examples include mood changes, gastrointestinal problems, cardiovascular diseases, fertility problems, and suppression of the immune system.

We need to take specific actions to help bring our bodies back to normal! Massage can help you get back to homeostasis: it helps to lower your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, and secretes your “feel good” chemical, endorphins, as well as dopamine and serotonin, which bring a sense of happiness and well-being.

So come see me to de-stress and relax, feel better and take good care of your body, health and mind.

Schedule here to bring back your sense of happiness and well-being.