ARE YOU OVER STRESSED OVER S T R E S S?

Well, being aware of how it works will give you the power and peace of mind to control it.

THE DEFINITION

Stress is not unnatural, it is a biological process that your body uses to respond to a crisis. The reasons can be physical (accidents, disease); mental (poorly defined goals, low worth and self limiting belief structures); emotional (fear, anxiety, insecurity); social (peer pressure); and spiritual (believing that one has failed in the eyes of their religious dogma). The response, depending on its intensity, can result in increased blood pressure, speeding up of the heart rate, accelerated breathing, tightening of the muscles, release of hormones (endorphins, adrenalin, cortisone release factor), dilatation (widening) of the peripheral blood vessels, constriction of the visceral (internal) blood vessels, dilatation of the respiratory pathways and increased breakdown of glycogen (energy molecule) by the liver. These alterations are well-meant by your homeostatic (adaptive) mechanism as they speed up and clarify your thinking, and increase strength and energy levels so that you can deal with the emergency/crisis. Endorphins will prepare the body to ensure hardship and injury until it gets out of trouble. Cortisone will initiate the remobilisation of stored energy while the increased blood flow to the periphery will ensure the supply of nutrients and thus your strength, so that you will have that extraordinary strength to accomplish an amazing task.

We all need some stress; it is the drive that keeps us moving forward.

THE PROBLEM

Trouble begins when either:

· The stresses are ongoing, such as in unsuited work environments, non-functioning ‘toxic’ relationships, financial over commitments by poorly defined goals, living in a war zone, and when there is a general inability to express oneself.

· You (and as a result your body) have lost the ability to come down after the stressful event has long gone. Physically, unless the emergency signal is shut off, Cortisone, under whose influence the body feeds of itself to provide for the emergency raw materials (to get the body over the hump), will eventually deplete the amino acid reserves of the body. This depletion will lead to serious consequences since amino acids are the building blocks for many essential compounds in the body. they are involved in the formation of cell structure, connective and muscle tissue, enzymes and hormones which in turn regulate temperature, metabolism and your reproductive system, amongst many other important functions.

· You have poor problem-resolution skills and unnecessarily hold onto anger, resentment, bitterness, unforgiveness, and generally cannot differentiate between the things you can change (those in the present) and those you cannot (those belonging in the far past).

The situation is aggravated in a rapidly evolving (in all aspects) technological age, where exposure to constant noise, vibrations, fumes and chemicals prevent your body mind and spirit from fully recovering. An additional pressure is added on with the ongoing development and change in society standards which forces us to constantly readjust and keep up or we have to troop out. This form of stress is termed by some “technological stress”. Terry Deporah, a social psychologist from the university of Queensland, studied the effects of organizational change on workers and found that; ‘repeated change escalates uncertainty and feelings of powerlessness’. And it is not only the workers that are getting the blow but also the consumer, who often unaware of those changes, are given an added stress to deal with. All this will eventually lead to an exhaustion of your energy reserves (enervation) and consequently cause your vital organs to weaken which potentially will pave the way to chronic degenerative disorders. Cardiovascular, Endocrine (hormonal), Reproductive, Nervous, Immune and Digestive system disorders, such as hypertension, heart irregularities, Addison’s disease, infertility and impotence, headaches, migraines, chronic fatigue, indigestion, gastritis, constipation and the list goes on. In fact, uncontrolled and ongoing stress seems to be one of the major factors contributing to disease in modern society.

THE SYMPTOMS

The symptoms that signify the onset of chronic stress are elaborate and lapse with many other conditions which never the less are possibly also related to stress directly or indirectly. Symptoms to be aware of are:

· Physical: aches, pains, headaches, stiffness around the shoulders and neck, lack of concentration, inability to make decisions, short term memory loss, nausea. palpitations, lack of co-ordination, sweats, ringing in the ears, insomnia (inability to sleep through the night without disruptions).

· Emotional: feeling overwhelmed, teary, angry, hostile, frightened, nervous, tense, and hopelessness (lack of confidence).

· Behavioural: avoiding stressful situations, inability to make decisions, lack of direction, abusing alcohol and drugs, feeling a loss of normal life, being irritable and angry with friends and family members for no apparent reasons.

Don’t dismiss any of these symptoms as trivial as they can be the beginning to many more serious and degenerative dis-eases.

THE ‘QUICK FIX’ SOLUTIONS

The ill belief that smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol will help you to calm down has its toll. Far from helping you relax, cigarettes and alcohol will wire you up, since they are stimulants, not relaxants. Furthermore, resorting to legal or illegal drugs will only worsen your scenario. Tranquillisers (benzodiazepines), anti-depressants like Prozac (Fluoxetine) and anxiolytic drugs (used in the treatment of anxiety) like diazepan (Valium and Ducene) apart from being habit forming have also many negative side effects. Some of these drugs will strip the ability to emotionally feel oneself, destroy empathy, encourage negative behaviour and they may even cause antisocial and suicidal behaviour. Other possible side effects are: hallucinations, double vision, memory loss, depression, confusion, mood swings, digestive complications, dizziness, fatigue and general weakness; and we just scratching the scratching of the surface. In fact there is hardly any bodily system that escapes complications from the use of these drugs. Anything goes, from an under functioning thyroid and hypoglycaemia to arthritis. In Australia in the year 1991 alone there was 9.2 million prescriptions written for these “wonder drugs”. Despite the favour of doctors in supplying their patients with these drugs, the fact remains that the only thing they achieve is to postpone the time at which the individual has to face the bells, only this time with an added problem; the addiction of their choice drug.

Now that we have established what not to do lets look at what we should do.

THE PERMANENT SOLUTION

· Carl Jung believed that ‘everything that happens to a person is a direct result of that person’s thinking, speaking and actions...as we think so we are’. It stands to reason that the way we perceive and deal with stress depends on our problem-solving and coping skills. Stress, and consequently dis-ease, is a state of being (a belief structure) and not something that jumps onto the unaware bystander. Acquiring knowledge and skills to effectively deal with stress, then, seems the wise thing to do.

On the physiological, biochemical and cellular level the lack of active nutrients causes depletion in energy levels, leading to a loss in the production of specific hormones that are responsible for counter acting stress responses. It goes without saying, then, that adequate nutrition to sustain the body’s functions is of paramount importance in order to deal with stress effectively.

There are some very basic Nutritional rules to follow:

1. Do not eat any synthetic food

2. Eat plenty and a variety of fruit and vegetables (preferably organic) and drink their juices.

3. Drink at least two to three litres of pure water a day.

4. Eat only when hungry and avoid over-eating.

· Exercising stimulates and improves your metabolism, the elimination of toxins through perspiration, the release of those ‘feel good’ hormones (endorphin and serotonin) and eliminates any stored tension. Just about any form of exercise will do, provided it is not for competitive and professional purposes as this can become an added stress factor. Try relaxation exercises such as Tai-chi, yoga and going for a stroll or for a swim preferably on the beach.

· Don’t hold back on those tears, as they are the healing force and the pressure-release factor of stored emotions and frustration’s. Tears have been shown to contain certain stress related chemicals. When tears are suppressed there will be an increase of tension and toxic load in your body. After a good cry you can expect to feel inner-peace and a sense of freedom. Tear ducts are not there only to keep your eyes moist but also to serve this stress relief function. Crying is certainly not only for women, weak people and kids.

“when I am weak I am strong and when I am strong I am weak”

Old Biblical proverb.

· Massage is a great tool to ease some of those aches and pains associated with chronic stress, especially when given by a therapist, or a friend, with genuine care. But please non of that airy fairy New Age stuff. A good therapist should be a picture of health and peace himself, have counselling skills, hold the appropriate accreditations and be of a reputable character.

· Look and eliminate these self limiting and self destructive behaviours, such as:

1. Overloading yourself and never allowing time for pleasure and fun. Over exerting your self without time-out, apart from creating confusion and stress it can also lead to depression (which is, after all, the end result of continuous stress). Working hard does not automatically you will be effective.

2. Lack of direction and purpose in your life, as this brings-on fundamental, existential stresses that are as harmful as it is overcommitting yourself Every one has a special function and talents, and by accepting and valuing yourself you will find your way.

3. Fear of verbal expression leads to tensions, especially in the jaw. Beware of grinding the teeth at night. This fear stems usually from rejection and abandonment during childhood. You must voice your needs and wants and make yourself clear to the world.

“Communication permits progress” Old proverb.

4. The need for perfection. Fanatical perfectionism is a sign of lack of self love, and the need to be loved and generally. It stems from the lack of love during childhood and it usually causes severe headaches and migraines.

5. And finally eliminate patterns of co-dependency. Thinking that you are not able to do anything on your own can cause an enormous amount of stress. These patterns stem from childhood and are a direct result of wrong parenting. You, like everyone else, is a unique, profound individual with unique talents and gifts able to stand on your own two feet.

Carl Jung pointed out that, childhood is a vulnerable time, not only because it is the starting point for possibly crippling the instincts and spontaneity of a person, but also because during these formative years those far-seeing dreams that come from the soul of the child, which shape their whole destiny, can be terrified or encouraged.

Here, the use of a skilful counsellor or self help manuals may be of benefit (there are many manuscripts on the topic of reclaiming your inner strength, your inner child and so on). Identifying the underlying causes of your possible self-limiting/destructive behaviour can open up new horizons and equip you with the necessary tools to deal with every day events in constructive and productive ways.

SUMMARY

Stress is as natural in life as sleeping. It helps you to move forwards and perform those seemingly impossible tasks in crisis situations. The problem lies in the ongoing stimulation of stress (an unavoidable effect in a ever changing world) and the lack of resources to deal with those stimuli in an effective way. Self-limiting behaviour; using drugs, smoking cigarettes; the lack of exercise; and the lack of an adequate, wholesome and fresh diet only add to the burdens. Informing yourself about the pros and cons of using medications versus natural ways of eliminating the negative effects of stress is absolutely essential in order to avoid any possible addictions and negative side effects. And lastly, it stands to reason that since we all look for peace, happiness, joy and a sense of purpose, it is essential to re-examine your life and to see whether you are being true to yourself. Further, identifying what your objectives are, and whether or not the driving force behind of what you are doing or not doing, is or not a result of early childhood scarring. “Know thyself” and then become the master of your actions. Self discipline is the key to a harmonious life style!

Gregory Damaskos is a naturopath, counsellor, public speaker and health educator that writes for several national and international publications. He has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs and is the Health Director of Authenticity Health Retreats SA. You can contact him at:

Authenticity Health Retreats
14-30 Waterport Road
Port Elliot, South Australia 5212

Telephone: +61 8 8554 2088

email: info@authenticity.com.au

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