Health Advice and Information on Stress

Therapists and Therapies to help heal and deal with Stress
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Stress

"Unlike most ailments, stress does not pass with time. It is self perpetuating. It builds and builds until it is a major influence on your mind and body, until it dominates almost every action you take,every emotion you feel, and every thought you think."
" The reason for this is biological rather than neurotic"
The Big Book of CALM

Physical Symptoms;
changes in sleep patterns
fatigue
changes in digestion-nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
loss of sexual drive
headaches
aches and pains in different parts of the body including back and shoulders, muscles, joints etc
infections
indegestion
dizziness, fainting, sweating and trembling
tingling of the hands
breathlessness
palpitations
missed heartbeats
butterflies
chest pain
skin complaints and rashes
overeating
loss of appetite
poor memory
dry mouth
inability to concerntrate
overreaction to events
trembling
coldhands
grinding teeth
speeded up conversation
diarrhoea
constipation

Emotional Symptoms of Stress;
deterioration in personal hygine and appearance
bouts of depression
impatience and irritability
fits of rage
tearfulness

Mental Symptoms of Stress;
lack of concerntration
memory lapses
difficulty in making decisions
confusion
disorientation
panik attacks

Behavioural Symptoms of Stress;
appetite changes-eating too much or too little
eating disorders-anorexia-bulimia
increased intake of alcohol and other drugs
increased smoking
hypochondria
restlessness
fidgeting
nail-biting

Stress has been art of the human condition since the begining of time. It is an integral part of human survival.
The first reaction to severe stress is the 'fight or flight' response. Initially, the flight or fight response alaerts us to danger and is infact beneficial-providing the strength , speed and stamina for survival.
The stress is controlled by the endocrine system, which regulates various bodily functions, including the reproductive system, the immune system, growth, metabolism, allergic responce and stress tollerance. Thus stimualting the endocrine glands to secrete hormones into the blood stream. These stress hormones include powerful stimulants such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, testosterone and thyroxin, which produce physical responces.
These include:
increased pupil dialation
perspiration
increased heart rate and blood pressurerapid breathing
muscle tenseness
increased blood flow to the brain, heart and muscles
less blood flow to the skin, digestive tract, kidneys and liver
increased mental alertness and sensitivity
increased blood sugar, fats and cholesterol (for extra energy)
a rise in platelets and blood clotting factors (to prevent haemorrhage in case of injury)

Although this natural resoponse would have been invaluable at an earlier stage in human evolution, fighting and running away are rarely appropriate responses to stressful situations in the modern world.
Under long term, unrelieved stress causes our bodies to remain in a constant state of arousal, which will result in the onset of various health problems.

The stresses of modern day life are complex and long running. Today we are subjected to long term emotional, occupational and environmental anxieties, which demand that we retain a certain level of mental and physical health. We also have to prepare for times of crisis and events that test us to the fullest, ie divorse, redundancy, bereavement or illness etc.
The extra mental energy and exersion we all expend just to keep on top of things can create a bottle neck of energy as pressure builds up with nowhere to go.
If nothing is done to relieve the situation the mechanisms we have for dealing with stress will eventually fail us. This will cause illness and exhaustion.
It is a priority that we find time and ways of easing our minds and our bodies of the fight or flight mode and put ourselves on a better level to deal with the ever changing pressure of the modern world.

Stress Related Illnesses:

Cardiovascular Disease: The heart and system of blood vessels and the most common cause of death in the UK and the USA

The Immune System: The immune system protects the body from infection. Such as viruses, harmful bacteria and cancer.

Asthma:

Diabetes:

Ulcers:

Digestive Disorders:

Skin Complaints: acne, spots, eczema, psoriasis, excesive pallor, skin disease

Headaches and Migranes:

Premenstral Syndrom (PMS or PMT):

Depression:


Stress Management Techniques;

Counselling; The effects of talking through, sharing, getting support and working through the issues that may be causing you stress and realising the methods and routes to take to eliminate & allieviate stress and promote relaxation, management, control or whatever you find you need to help your stress to decrease through your sessions.

Many of the forms of Natural and Complementary therapy can and will help aleviate stress

either by improving ability to relax

Assessing diet and nutrition

Aerobic exercise is thought to reduce anxiety upto 50%

Good nutrition will improve the ability to appropriately respond to stress

Getting good and enough sleep

Reducing caffine intake

Stopping smoking, as nicotine is a stimulant

Acupuncture-good for calming and strengthening

Bach flower remedies- Rescue Remedy is popular stand by for stressful situations (note contains alcohol) other remedies may also be used and they will depend on the cause of the stress, the stressor.

Chakra Balancing, aura balancing, colour therapy and other meredian based healing therapies.

Arts Therapies

Reflexology

Ayreveda

Osteopathy

Massage

Aromatherpy

Meditation

Relaxation Techniques
Most therapies have something to offer in the filed of relieving stress and the symptoms that accompany it, and also to relieve and heal and deal with the underlying causes.

To find a therapist near to you who can help heal and deal with stress, please click on the apples.