Reduce stress levels

Understanding the Health Effects of Stress

Stress can be defined as a physical, mental, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension. Stresses can be external (from the environment, psychological, or social situations) or internal (illness, or from a medical procedure). It is commonly argued that stress management is the most important intervention to focus on for the simple reason that regardless of what other positive habits you adopt, you will still be exposed to chronic disease due to the damaging effects of consistent stress. (1)

The body's defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the fight-or-flight reaction or the stress response. This happens over three biological steps:

1) Reaction Stage: your adrenal gland releases cortisol (a stress hormone), and you receive a boost of cortisol and adrenaline, which increases energy.

2) Resistance Stage: After the initial shock and response the body begins to repair itself. The body begins to lower the cortisol release and heart rate. It is important to reduce the stress and return to normal levels before the body prolongs the reaction stage and adopts to a new normal of a higher stress state, which can eventually lead to hormone imbalances and exhaustion.

3) Exhaustion Stage: If stress is not managed and the body remains in fight or flight for prolonged periods of time it can drain your physical, mental and emotional resources leading to fatigue, depression and anxiety.