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Stress Response

12/1/2011

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A NORMAL Physical response. Yes, That is right. In today's world stress is viewed as such that one tends to consider it a new cancer. To be hacked away and removed from one's life at all cost. Stress response availability in the body and mind is a necessity.

A very good analogy is the NOS that are used on drag race cars. NOS stands for Nitrous Oxide Systems. These are installed on drag race cars for short term burst of energy by feeding nitrous oxide into the fuel system of the drag race car's engine. The result is a large increase in horse power for the short time that the NOS is engaged. The drawback to this process is that if the NOS is left engaged for too long a period then the engine could suffer failure because the engine is being asked to perform above and beyond its design capabilities. Also, repeated use of NOS shortens the life of the engine. Which requires hot rod mechanics to continuously repair and rebuild their engine much more often than most auto engines being used under normal conditions.

So, if you consider that your stress response is your built in NOS system, and from time to time in an emergency you may need the boost of power that your body then can supply. You can see why it is a good thing to have. For instance, should you step out onto an empty side street from your favourite restaurant heading for your parked car. Then, suddenly, a evil looking character steps from a nearby allies' shadows. Your heart races, you begin to sweat, your eyes narrow with fear, you feel a lower abdominal disturbance, blood is being pumped to your legs for increased energy for running. Which you instinctively do. You run like the wind and take yourself from a possible horrible situation. This is a "fight or flight response" to a perceived possible harmful or even fatal situation.

There are two types of stress, "physical" which I have described above, and "psychological". The later type, what we
mostly deal with in today's world. Unfortunately, the mind does not know the difference between the two and the body responds to both with the same physical characteristics. Which are: The Autonomic nerve system is utilized , Adrenalin is released in your body and this causes increased heartbeat and blood flow, your vision narrows, muscles tense and flex, sweating is increased, your hearing becomes much more sensitive. In today's world we are bombarded with continuous scenarios that lead to the body's "stressful response system" being triggered or
set off. And like the NOS analogy, our body's requires a maintenance routine to keep the system from prematurely wearing out our bodies.

Human beings currently deal with stressful circumstances frequently. Several times a day is not unusual. Starting when awaken, people begin to worry of money, always in a hurry to meet deadlines, i.e. getting to work, the kids to school, breakfast on the table, food preparations for lunch, for dinner and many other planned activities for any
given day. Then off to work, or school. Where we must interact with co-workers, bosses, and daily work crisis. At school we have, teachers, school work, social interaction including a daily dose of any bullies that are around. Even into the evening we have home activities such as watching TV, computer activities, outside physical sports competitions and neighbour interactions. And these all don't sound too bad. Some of us have to deal with joblessness, drug addiction, physical and psychological abuse, loneliness, depression, short and long term physical illness. I'm sure that I don't need to go on to prove my point. And to make matters worse in some people the ANS, Autonomic Nervous System, which runs from the spinal cord managing every organ in the body may become unbalanced. The ANS has two branches "parasympathetic" and "sympathetic". When there is no danger, or stress the parasympathetic mode is engaged. The sympathetic mode is engaged when a stressful or dangerous situation is encountered. With some bodies this is a result of being in an unbalanced, unhealthy state. Leaving the body in
stress environment continuously. This is a worst case scenario. The body stays in stress mode and like with the NOS analogy the body is at risk of engine failure. So, the first step to manage stress is to get your life balanced and
healthy.
Some Long Term Effects Of Continuous Stress
Heart Problems
High Blood Pressure
Weaker or Suppressed Immune System
Skin Problems
Muscular Pain
Diabetes
Infertility
Learn to recognize continuous stress in your life. Then, learn to maintain that stress. I'm sure that there are some out there that do not have a unmanaged stress situation. But, the majority of us are usually right in the middle of a stress storm. So much so that we find it hard to recognize when we are there.
Below are some typical physical symptoms of an overly stressed person:
Headache
Muscle tension or pain
Chest pain
Fatigue
Change in sex drive
Stomach upset
Sleep problems
Your mood may be affected in these ways:
Anxiety
Restlessness
Lack of motivation or focus
Irritability or anger
Sadness or depression
You may behave in these ways:
Overeating or under eating
Angry outbursts
Drug or alcohol abuse
Tobacco use
Social withdrawal
Stress effects every area of your life cycle. So, STOP, just stop everything. This will give you the clearest vision, to
examine every life cycle area. Each section will give you new insight to stress in your life. Look at Health first. Do you exercise? Meditate, or pray? What, when, where, and how do you eat? How is the condition of your body? Your state
of mind? How are the other areas of life cycle effecting your health? Is your Home a calm place where you can regenerate your energies? Do you hate your Job? Do you find your Friends mostly in your Social Environment? Do you ride the Bus to work and you are frightened the whole time? These are examples of questions that could be asked. Go, from life cycle area to life cycle area and repeat the above exercise. Then determine and write down the actions you need to take to find balance. Balance will help find health, and stress management. This will keep you from engine failure due to too much NOS. Then slowly adapt slowly each and every life cycle area and develop a maintenance schedule to fit your life. And always find time for yourself, first and foremost.

An excerpt from an upcoming book
by Dave Sova
Thank You










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