Stress: How we respond is key.
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We have often identified stress as culprit to deminishing health, relationships, or other problems that may occur. Just like most other things in this life, it is the dosage and exposure that makes the difference. The sun is necessary for us to generate vitamens, too much, we get burned. Stress at low to moderate levels actually helps us perform better, some self-development coaches refer to stress at this level as 'leverage'. It motivates us to improvise, adapt, or overcome (a Marine motto).
When the level of stress crosses a threshold (that vary greatly for all
of us), our success begins to dimenish, if the high level of stress
continues then we will begin to degenerate, stay tired more, get sick,
etc. The primary stress forms are acute or prolonged. We adapt
differently to each type.
Dr. Seyle (1907-1982) studied stress as referenced almost as the father of stress science. He described stress as the following:
the "general adaptation syndrome" represents a three-stage reaction to stress. Dr. Selye explained his choice of terminology as follows: "I call this syndrome general because it is produced only by agents which have a general effect upon large portions of the body. I call it adaptive because it stimulates defense....I call it a syndrome because its individual manifestations are coordinated and even partly dependent upon each other."
Dr. Selye said the general adaptation syndrome involved two major systems of the body, the nervous system and the endocrine (or hormonal) system, all of these greatly effect our energy and productivity.
There are three primary stages of response to any stress:
1) Reaction Stage - our initial response to the stress and the accumulation. Our instinctive fight or flight responses kick in. This stage activates a suppression in our immune system and Dr. Seyle states that people are more susceptible to illness and injury during this time. When we begin to work toward a solution to solving the stress, then we move to the next stage, as long as we deny the stress, we stay in stage one.
2) Improvise and Adapt Stage - During this phase, if the stress continues, the body adapts to the stressors it is exposed to. Changes at many levels take place in order to reduce the effect of the stressor. A productive approach is to look for long term solutions, not bandaids to blind us to the stress.
3) Exhaustion Stage - At this stage, the stress has continued for some time. The body's resistance to the stress may gradually be reduced, or may collapse quickly. Generally, this means the immune system, and the body's ability to resist disease, may be almost totally eliminated. Patients who experience long-term stress may succumb to heart attacks or severe infection due to their reduced immunity.
Again, Dr. Seyle demonstrated that stress isn't a bad thing, it is more of how we respond to it that can make the difference. Each person's attitude, belief in themselves, and willingness to adjust when necessary is important.
We must find ways to support our immune system, nutritional support is essential particularly for the endocrine system (adrenal, thyroid, etc). There are selective nutritional supplements used to promote immune health. There are physical (structural), emotional, and myofacial (energetic network) needs that will also have to addressed. If it didn't have emotional energy, it wouldn't be a stress.
Natural Health and Wholistic Wellness Resources in Raleigh NCCreated Monday, July 09, 2007 by T.Smith, M.S.
Edited on: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 6:37 PM