The Effect of Negative Stress

Stress derives from the Latin word 'Stringere' meaning hardship or affliction. Stress means different things to most people. Prolonged stress raises the cholesterol levels in the blood leading to hard deposits in the arteries blocking blood flow.

The Psychosomatic disorders and stress disorders have increased alarmingly and is today one of major causes of most illnesses. Most wide spread is high blood pressure [Hypertension] and Coronary heart problems. Stress weakens the body’s defenses and the immune system is impaired when there is an excess of ‘stress-induced’ steroids in the body.

The inability to adapt to stress is associated with the onset of depression and anxiety. Stress diminishes the quality of life by reducing feelings of pleasure and accomplishment and relationships are often threatened. Mental stress as well as physical stress is a trigger for angina. People associated with acute emotional stress have a higher risk for heart rhythm abnormalities and heart attacks. In women chronic stress may reduce the estrogen levels which are important for cardiac health.

  

People who regularly experience sudden increases in blood pressure caused by mental agony and stress may over a period of time develop injuries in the inner linings of their blood vessels.

People who are trying to deal with stress often resort to unhealthy habits such as eating high-fat and high-salt diets, use of tobacco, alcohol abuse and leading a sedentary lifestyle. Prolonged stress can disrupt the digestive system. Irritable bowel syndrome {or spastic colon} is strongly related to stress. Sleep disturbances related to stress can further exacerbate irritable bowel syndrome.

Stress can have varying effects on eating problems and weight. Often stress is related to weight gain. Many people develop cravings for salt and sugar to counteract tension thereby gaining weight. The weight gain is often abdominal fat a predictor of diabetes and heart related problems. Some people suffer a loss of appetite and lose weight. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are eating disorders that are associated with adjustment problems in response to stress and emotional issues.

The imbalance between insulin and glucose leads to either high or low blood sugar levels in the body. Chronic stress has been associated with the development of insulin resistance a condition whereby the body is unable to use insulin effectively to regulate glucose [Blood sugar]. Insulin- Resistance is a primary factor in diabetes. Diabetics must avoid any kind of stress whatsoever in order to bring back glucose to regulatory function.

Stress is in direct relationship with pain. Chronic pain caused by arthritis and other conditions may be intensified by stress. Psychological distress also plays a significant role in the severity of back pain. Tension headaches are highly associated with stress and stressful events. Among the wide range of possible migraine triggers is emotional stress. The tensions of unresolved stress frequently cause insomnia.

Stress can lead to diminished sexual desire and an inability to achieve orgasm in women. Stress response can cause temporary impotence in men and perceptual psychological stress could cause permanent impotency in both men and women. Stress may even affect fertility. Stress can cause physiologic alterations during pregnancy such as increased hormone levels or resistance in the arteries that may interfere with normal blood flow to the placenta.

  

 

Stress has significant effects on the brain particularly on memory. Persons under severe stress suffer loss of concentration and become inefficient and accident-prone. Research indicates that the immediate effect of acute stress impairs short-term memory, particularly verbal memory. Research suggests that stress may actually be the cause of the so-called sick-building syndrome, which produces allergy- like symptoms such as eczema, headaches, asthma and sinus. Stress plays a role in exacerbating a number of skin conditions including hives, psoriasis, acne & rosaceous. Unexplained itching is also associated with stress. Alopecia aerate is hair loss that occurs in localized patches. Stress is suspected as an important cause of this condition. Stress has now been implicated in increasing the risk of periodontal disease, a disease in the gums that causes tooth loss.

Unhealthy Lifestyles & Habits that Cause Stress:

People under chronic stress frequently seek relief through drug, tobacco or alcohol abuse. Abnormal eating patterns and passive activities such as prolonged hours of watching television cause stress. An unhealthy diet, alcohol abuse, sedentary lifestyle and smoking promote heart disease and interfere with sleep patterns leading to increased tension levels. Animal fats, simple sugars and salts are known contributors to health problems.

Stress Management with Exercise and Nutrition:

Exercise has both short term and long term benefits. Results of physical activity are far reaching; The American Heart association recommends that you exercise at least 3 to 4 times a week cardiovascular fitness, stress reduction and improved sleep patterns. In addition to cardiovascular benefits exercise helps in the control of body fat, increased resistance to fatigue and extra energy toned muscles and lean body mass. Exercise improves mood and reduces depression and anxiety. Exercise reduces insulin resistance, increases insulin sensibility and HDL Cholesterol, reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lowers total cholesterol and triglycerides. It increases myocardial viability and collateral circulation, improves in myocardial oxygen consumption, and reduces heart rate, obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

  

Aerobic exercise such as Walking, Cycling and cross trainer Elliptical are recommended. Always exercise within your target heart rate zone. The THR is determined by reducing your age from 220 and exercising in-between 55% to 85% of that figure. This percentage varies according to the age and general condition of the person. People with stress related disadours are recommended that they exercise for at least 24 minutes of continuous exercise within their target heart zone of 55% to 75%.

For weight loss results are shown if the exercise period is continuous for 40-48 minutes at least five times a week with your target heart zone at 60% to 85%. Always begin your exercise program by gradually increasing your speed as warm up and cool down towards the end of your exercise by reducing speed. Time is the most important factor and not the speed or resistance level for long term benefit.

Yoga & Meditation help to reduce anxiety, develop and improve stress tolerance, improve flexibility, physical and mental efficiency. TM –Transcendental Meditation has proved to produce an overall reduction of stress and is effective along with exercise in reversing the aging process.

Massage is an effective tool to relax your body and improve the circulatory system. In certain conditions such as arthritis relief from pain is as effective as the cure. Most important the benefits of a massage on a Massage chair give you the feeling of goodness and contentment and are an effective tool in relieving and reducing stress.

Healthy Diet & Nutrition:

A.
Restriction Free Food: Fresh Juices, Clear Soups, Plain Soda, Yogurt diluted with water or buttermilk, Fresh Green Salads and Green leafy vegetables except roots and tubers, Fruits with Skins, Sprouted grams and pulses and Whole wheat flour and its products.
B.
Limited Quantity Food: Mayonnaise and other sauces twice a week, lean meat, chicken & Fish in limited quantity provided they are boiled, steamed, roasted or baked and not fried four times a week. Egg yolks not more than twice a week including those used in the cooking of cakes and desserts. Skimmed Milk not more 500ml a day and if not skimmed milk 300ml a day. Fewer intakes of sugar and all food to be cooked with the minimum required salt.
C.
Food items to be avoided: A] Fats such as butter, ghee, peanut butter, coconut oil and vanaspathi. B] puddings, cakes, pastries and ice creams. C] beef, bacon, red meat, crab and shrimps. D] nuts, almonds, cashews and pickles made in oil. E] canned food items, soda- bicarbonate, proprietary drinks such as chocolate drinks and soft drinks containing sodium benzoate.

Always make your breakfast the largest meal and your dinner the lightest meal of the day. Eat your salad before your meal and have fresh fruits. With regular exercise and physical activity, good nutrition and positive thinking you could avoid the effects of negative stress and live a healthy life.

MASSAGE CHAIRS & MASSAGE ACCESSORIES FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT & PAIN RELIEF

Stress today has been documented as one of the major causes to a range of illnesses and disorders. Stress can be physical, social and emotional. Stress causes the heart to beat faster, the blood pressure to go up, the muscles to become tense and the arteries to go into spasms.

As stress eludes definition and is highly individual it could be acute, chronic or intermittent. Stress Management is the core ingredient in any type of management towards stress related disorders.

The benefit of Massage in Stress control: Massage has proved beneficial in improving the circulatory system and give relief from pain even in acute syndromes such as arthritis. The various functions such as kneading, tapping, rolling and vibration that are incorporated in the function mode of a massage chair help the end user to feel good and positive at the same time improving the circulatory system. Massage is today being used worldwide to control anxiety and depression, elevate the senses to feel pleasure and help in combating the negative feelings both psychosomatic and psychological. Basically Massage is a tool used with medication to combat the effects of negative stress.

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