Stress relief is a complex topic. The people who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks are far more likely to benefit from traditional therapy than are those who suffer from a mild case of mild stress, or mild anxiety. For those with chronic levels of stress, the exact same remedies that may alleviate the symptoms of anxiety can actually make the situation worse.
Unfortunately, stress and its related disorders are closely tied to our physical health. Stress can influence the function of our immune system, and it can also interfere with our ability to maintain our body’s internal balance. That balance is important because, without it, we can become sick or even die.
There are a number of ways to begin to incorporate stress relief into our lives. Many people have reported excellent results by using breathing exercises, or yoga, or other types of mediation to clear their minds. In addition, there are specific foods that are designed to help lower the levels of stress. Because all humans are affected by stress at some point in their lives, it is important to choose carefully what kind of foods to eat and to take certain herbs that are known to reduce stress.
So what causes stress relief? Is it mental? Or is it physical? In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the underlying factors.
When our minds are consistently filled with stress, or anxiety, our bodies respond in many ways. The heart begins to beat faster, and our blood pressure increases. Our lungs fill up with toxic wastes, which is why stress often leads to respiratory problems, such as chronic cough and asthma.
Stress can affect our brain’s ability to make sense of our surroundings. For example, people who are under a lot of stress are much more likely to perceive things that are completely irrelevant as significant. This makes it much more difficult to focus and think rationally. Those with anxiety disorder and depression may be well aware of their distress but often can’t see the connection between the problem and the causes of the distress.
Other factors contribute to stress relief. For example, the human body’s metabolism is controlled by hormones, which are controlled by the pituitary gland. If the pituitary gland is stimulated, the adrenal glands respond by releasing increased amounts of cortisol, which is a hormone that controls our metabolic rate. When cortisol levels rise, it becomes much more difficult to cope with stress, and it is possible for the body to actually produce less of it.
People who can relax and breathe deeply can increase their stamina and feel more energetic, and consequently their energy levels will be higher. It has been proven that being able to mentally relax, or meditate for twenty minutes each day can increase someone’s life expectancy. It is also important to learn to use breath control to bring oxygen into the cells, and to take advantage of both the physical and mental benefits of meditation.
Some people try to escape by taking tranquilizers, or sleeping pills. This can cause chemical changes in the brain, and it can also bring about chemical imbalance, which is not good for anyone. To get rid of stress, try to find ways to deal with it at the moment. That means not reacting by going on medication.
There are specific lifestyle changes that can be made to provide much better relief. Learning to relax in the present moment is very important. This means learning to sit quietly for long periods of time, or to breathe deeply. By paying attention to how you feel when you are alone, and by not responding to stress by feeling frantic or anxious, you can find relief from the effects of stress.
We all need to learn to reduce our level of stress, to deal with withstressful situations in a way that doesn’t aggravate them. It’s not only important to know the causes of stress but to learn how to treat it when it happens.
