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STRESS
AND HEALTH
We
are constantly subjected to various forms of stress in our daily
lives. A certain amount is necessary, to provide us with
challenges, and to stimulate us to strive for survival and
progress. For example, a mind that is not challenged
by problems to be solved becomes bored and stagnates; to
maintain and strengthen muscles, they must be provided with the
mechanical stress of exercise.
The
body is designed to be self-healing. It has mechanisms that
constantly monitor every function that is taking place, and is
continuously adapting to both external influences and stresses,
and to internal changes and stresses.
Health
may be defined as: The body's ability to constructively deal
with all the stresses to which it is subjected. In this way
it is constantly repairing itself, and maintaining its optimum
level of efficient functioning.
Certain
stress factors will cause a temporary reduction of the body's
efficiency, or health, eg. a strained muscle will be stiff and
painful for a few days; then it will return to its normal
condition.
The
body is capable of healing wounds and fractures, counteracting
harmful chemicals, adapting to sudden changes in temperature, etc.
STRESS
OVERLOAD
Stress becomes a negative, destructive factor in life when it goes beyond
the individual's ability to adapt to it. When the point of
stress overload is reached, instead of the stress being released
from the body, it becomes stored as "body
stress". As we differ in our emotional and physical
makeup, we have varying degrees of susceptibility to stress
overload.
THE
CAUSES OF BODY STRESS
EMOTIONAL
/ MENTAL STRESS FACTORS
These
include fear of the future, financial worries, competition in the
work-place, disintegrating family relationships. At times we
experience sudden violent emotions, such as anger or shock, or we
undergo milder but ongoing forms of mental strain, e.g. anxiety,
depression and resentment.
We
may become aware of the physical effect of emotional pressures, as
the diaphragm, jaw, neck and shoulders tighten in a defensive
posture, to armour us against the onslaught of life's stresses.
MECHANICAL
STRESS FACTORS
The
body is designed to withstand a certain amount of physical force -
bumps, jerks and falls, but if the mechanical stress goes beyond
the body's limit of adaptability, the effects may become stored as
body stress.
The
causes may be sudden and violent, such as a car accident, a severe
fall, or lifting a heavy object incorrectly. Or, there may
be a gradual accumulation of milder mechanical stress, eg.
habitually sitting incorrectly, or doing inappropriate exercises.
CHEMICAL
STRESS FACTORS
The
sources of chemical stress include pollutants in the air,
insecticides and certain food additives and preservatives.
Harmful chemicals may be consumed, inhaled, or even absorbed when
contacting the skin.
THE
EFFECTS OF BODY STRESS
When
the point of stress overload is reached, the stress becomes
"locked" into the body and manifests as lines of
tension.
The
body adopts a protective mode of action by means of automatic
reflexes, causing adjacent and overlying muscles to splint the
area.
It
appears that this action has a dampening effect on the nervous
system, thereby causing the brain's filtering mechanism to ignore
the areas of body stress.
In
time when the body is required to take greater defensive action,
stiffness may become noticeable, ultimately leading to postural
distortion. It may also lead to loss of flexibility, pain or
numbness.
A
person with body stress may also feel tense, tired, and lacking in
energy and enthusiasm for life. Headaches, backache and
indigestion may follow.
It
is also possible for the body stress to be present without the
individual feeling any pain or stiffness - he or she will simply
come to accept as normal their sense of having less than 100 per
cent well-being.
While
the stress or tension remains stored in the body, the normal tone
of the body is disturbed, causing a reduction in its general
efficiency. As its defence mechanisms become weakened, the
body becomes less and less able to deal with further stresses to
which it is subjected daily. In this way the individual
moves increasingly further away from the optimum state of health.
REDUCING
THE NEGATIVE STRESS IN OUR LIVES
We
all need to take responsibility for our own health, by striving to
reduce the negative stresses to which we are subjected.
To
minimise chemical stress, it makes sense to follow a balanced and
varied diet. Eat foods in forms as close as possible to
their original state, and choose those containing the fewest
additives. We should avoid exposure to harmful substances,
by minimising skin contact and being careful not to inhale sprays.
We
can reduce mechanical stress by improving our posture, by sitting,
bending and lifting correctly, and avoiding potentially harmful
exercises. Obviously it is helpful to pursue moderate and
sensible forms of exercise to strengthen muscles.
As
for the emotional/mental stress in our lives, we need to learn to
consciously relax when we feel ourselves becoming tense. It
is also advisable to seek out whatever activities and techniques
help us, as individuals, to approach emotional balance and inner
peace.
By
minimising stress overload, together with Body Stress Release, we
allow ourselves the opportunity of expressing our highest life
potential. |
