Stress
Stress is a natural response to the variety of demands we face. Our stress response, sometimes known as fight or flight, gives us energy to maintain life during challenging situations. It is similar to an attack or threat by a wild animal that happened in ancient times. Unfortunately, stresses of the modern day are considerably more frequent than what earlier humans might have experienced. Today, all we have to do is look out of our windows or at our computer screens to experience various forms of stressors. Think of the modern 24-hour news cycle, road rage or expectations of instant communication.
However, this doesn’t mean that stress is always negative. There is a difference between healthy and unhealthy stress. Healthy stressors are typically short lived and keep us awake and motivated, supporting our body’s strength and dynamism.
The way we respond to stress can help or hinder our ability to cope with the numerous stressors in our lives. Healthy responses include physical exercise, supportive eating habits, positive thinking, enough rest and contacting friends and family for support. Unhealthy responses include negative thinking, too much exertion, bad eating habits, lack of sleep and isolation. These unhealthy or negative responses can cause the body to overwork and can lead to physical and mental health problems. Unhealthy responses to ongoing stress are detrimental to our health.
Symptoms and signs of an overactive response to stress:
Anger
Anxiety
Asthma
Depression
Depressed immune system
Digestive disorders
Headaches
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Joint pain
Weight problems
Medical studies have shown that increased and continual stress causes a decrease of our white blood cell count. White blood cells are integral because they defend our body against viruses. This causes poorer immune resistance, eventually leading to disease and instability.
Even if stressors are no longer present, the body continues its stress responses. This depletes our nervous system, lymphatic organs (spleen, thymus and lymph nodes), adrenal glands and kidneys and paves the way for various symptoms and signs.
Hope is possible.
For thousands of years, practitioners of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been helping people cope with physical and emotional stress. The ancient theories of TCM specific to the effects of stress on the organs are similar to those of Western medicine. However, TCM theory and treatment goes beyond just treating symptoms and signs, rather addressing the root cause(s) of the problem.
One way that stress affects the body is by depleting or blocking Qi (pronounced “chee”), most notably that of the kidneys and adrenals. Qi is the vital energy that fuels and supports the functions of the body. It flows through pathways called meridians and nourishes the entire body. When Qi is blocked or the supply becomes inadequate, the body and organ systems become stressed, compromising our health.
With acupuncture treatment and TCM, the practitioner supports and restores the well-being of the affected organs depleted by the stress response, along with evaluating the quality and quantity of Qi.
Your acupuncturist may also suggest conjunctive therapies to enhance treatment and quicken recovery. Proper eating habits, exercise, stretching, and meditation practices support a healthy and balanced body, mind and spirit.
Acupuncture and TCM provide a safe, drug-free and effective alternative for the treatment of stress.
Ways to combat stress:
Get enough sleep. Try for at least eight hours of restorative and restful sleep.
Practice meditation exercises. Tai Chi, Yoga and Qi Gong can help create awareness of the body and mind connection, allowing your mind to be free of stressful thoughts.
Eat a proper and balanced diet. Keep a healthy diet including the right amounts of vegetables, fruits, complex carbs, protein and healthy fats.
Have fun! Make time for enjoyable activities and hobbies and include lots of laughter in your life.
Breathe. Relaxed deep breathing is a simple and easy technique that can help reduce stress.