Stress Reduction & How to Manage Stress
Stress has many definitions, one is the mind and body's
reaction to some real or imagined threatening event
or situation. Even though stress is not in our environment,
it is what we perceive in our mind and body. Stress
in and of itself is neither positive or negative, it
is merely our perception of that stimulus which defines
whether a situation is stressful. Certain events that
are exciting and pleasurable to one person may be extremely
stressful to another.
In order to manage stress, we need to understand some
things about it. The three fundamental stages of stress
are:
1. Alarm
2. Resistance
3. Exhaustion
Alarm
The body's initial physical reaction for flight or fight.
Fight or Flight Definition:
The reaction that occurs in the body when faced by a
sudden, unexpected threat or source of stress. The name
of this reaction comes from the fact that an animal
experiencing this reaction almost immediately decides
to fight or to run. In this reaction there is a sudden
release of the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine,
which increase blood flow to the muscles, increase arterial
blood pressure, improve muscle strength and mental ability,
as well as increase blood glucose concentration. Through
these actions the body prepares for a confrontation
or a fast escape.
Also known as: alarm
reaction, sympathetic alarm reaction, stress reaction,
sympathetic stress reaction
Resistance
The body starts to cope and adapt to the continued
induction of stress and starts the process of repairing
damage caused by stress. If the stress can be overcome,
the body repairs the damage and the physical signs disappear.
Your body ends up stronger, the resistance to the cause
of the stress is increased. As stress continues your
body gets better dealing with it.
Exhaustion
If there is no relief from the stress, the
body and mind cannot repair the damage. This results
in emotional, physical and mental problems. |
"Relacore
is a non-sedative, mild anti-anxiety mood enhancer /stress
reducer that reduces cortisol production by minimizing
stress,” says Dr. Nathalie Chevreau, Director of
Women’s Health and Nutrition. “Those who order
Relacore and take as directed report an overall feeling
of well-being, less anxiety, have much more energy and
a greater ability to handle the problems of everyday life.”