What Exactly IS Stress?

A little bit of stress can motivate us to learn and make changes. It is ongoing, relentless stress that causes the problems.

Tension Constricts

I didn’t understand how emotions could be acidic, and therefore damaging, until I learned about the following process. For example, if we feel we have the weight of the world on our shoulders we might unconsciously slump under the feeling of our burdens weighing us down. This would result in back pain over time. We might feel “sick to our stomach” with disgust or anxiety. And, of course, every one has heard of tension headaches and heartbreak from grief.

When we habitually bear down, however unconsciously, in certain areas, that tension causes constriction in those areas. This squeezing down slows blood flow in those pinched capillaries. It is like squeezing a sponge or stepping on a garden hose. This interferes with the ability to bring nutrients to the cells in those areas and with the transport of waste material from there. This can damage them and result in the death of those cells. As they die, these dead cells accumulate as even more toxic acidic waste in the area damaging even more cells. Over time chronic disease will develop there.

And Not Only That

There are other physical responses to what is normally considered to be a psychological problem. These physiological changes include increased secretion of adrenaline, elevation of blood pressure, acceleration of the heartbeat and greater tension in the muscles. Digestion slows or stops, cholesterol levels rise and the blood is more prone to clotting, increasing the risk of stroke or heart attack.
The pituitary gland increases its production of a hormone that stimulates the release of the hormones cortisol and cortisone. These have the effect of inhibiting the function of disease-fighting white blood cells and suppressing the immune response.

Fight or Flight

This complex of effects is called the “fight or flight” response and is designed to prepare the body to face an immediate threat. Today most of our stresses are not the result of immediate threats but the body still responds as if they were.

With prolonged stress the body becomes nutritionally deficient, especially in B vitamins, which are particularly important for the nervous system. Also electrolytes are depleted and free radicals are formed, which damages body tissue. A state of continual stress eventually wears the body out, increases its susceptibility to illness and slows healing.

Stress Reduction

There are many stress reduction techniques that that work really well. Learning to respond to challenges rather than to blindly react to things can also make a huge difference. A response is solution oriented whereas a “blind” reaction brings with it a feeling of powerlessness, hopelessness, anger or despair and the feeling of being a victim. Reducing exposure to toxic chemicals and excessive alcohol consumption and smoking also reduce stresses on the body.

It is my wish, that armed with this information, you will be able to take charge of your health knowing that it is possible to create the state of health you want.