Don’t know about you, but I see severe stress in peoples lives is becoming the norm rather than the exception. Short bursts of stress are fine. The body can cope (eg the fight or flight reaction). When stress becomes constant and excessive various untoward things start to happen in the body as the whole Nervous system becomes involved.
- There is an increase in epinephrine (adrenalin) production which suppresses the action of the T-cells. T-cells play a vital part in the immune function of the body.
- There is an increase in cortisol production. This is also potentially immunosuppressive.
- There is an increase in production of beta-endorphins. This tends to reduce the NK (natural killer ) cells ability to recognise and kill virally infected cells.
Indicators of Long Term Stress Exposures
As a result of the above 3 reactions the immune system is weakened and one suffers from all sorts of ailments. The bodies ability to fight bacteria and viruses gradually becomes more and more weak and therefore cannot fight the colds, flue, cancers, shingles etc. Stress causes the heart to beat faster, but with constriction of the blood vessels, therefore high blood pressure could be the result.
Depression, an abnormal emotional state, with melancholy and feelings of inadequacy, can be the result of stress. With this may come weight gain or loss, insomnia, headaches etc. Commonly depression is treated with SSRI (Selective Seratonin Re-uptake Inhibitor). These create a “dam” which stops the re-absorption of Seratonin and tricks the body into thinking all is well. The body stops producing Seratonin and becomes sluggish so when you stop taking the anti-depressant you crash.
Suggestions for Destressing
- Exercise – this expends some of the energy produced by the fight or flight response.
- helps boost the circulation, therefore the body can flush out metabolic waste which accumulates in muscles.
- releases endorphins which help one to feel better and more able to cope – even if ones situation is unchanged. - Remove yourself from the stressful situations as soon as possible – if possible.
- Relax in a long hot bath.
- Get plenty of sleep – use soft soothing music, hot milk drink etc to help you get to sleep and sleep better.
- Smile and laugh as much as possible.
- Take 10 minute breaks regularly from what you are doing and do or think of something quite different (change from left to right brain – do something creative, meditate, read poetry etc)
- Practise time management.
- Supplement wisely.
Suggested Supplements
Sportron has a wonderful product called NEUROTRON which has been specially formulated for support of the Nervous System. In conjunction with the Ultragard or better still the Wellness pack (which consists of Ultragard, Calcitone and Omegatone), Neurotron has a wonderful calming influence.
Burnout
Burnout is different to Stress. Burnout is not having enough energy to cope and is being too tired. Stress is one of the causes of burnout. Burnout involves the energy system in the body. This is a rechargeable system. We don’t make energy, it is recharged and is an on going process. Many people do not manage their energy well enough and if stress is not managed adrenalin burnout can occur. (non refreshing sleep, craving sweets, constant excessive tiredness, niggling illnesses etc.)
Please read on the Sportron web site www.sportron.co.za a presentation on burnout. Do the 16 questions to check where you are. Click on Resources, Training and downloads, then on Re-energise.
Supplement
After looking at the presentation click on Sportrons latest product called Energard. This has been specially formulated to help the body to recharge.
