Stress Kills!

According to many Universities and research lab studies, STRESS IS A KILLER. On every single part of your body. It can cause severe damage to your heart, body, and even mind. Literally! It can cause damage to your brain! (read more here on emediahealth.com) 

It can cause heart damage, it can effect blood pressure, and more! 

(Mayoclinic.com)

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When the natural stress response goes haywire

The body's stress-response system is usually self-regulating. It decreases hormone levels and enables your body to return to normal once a perceived threat has passed. As adrenaline and cortisol levels drop, your heart rate and blood pressure return to baseline levels, and other systems resume their regular activities.

But when the stressors of your life are always present, leaving you constantly feeling stressed, tense, nervous or on edge, that fight-or-flight reaction stays turned on. The less control you have over potentially stress-inducing events and the more uncertainty they create, the more likely you are to feel stressed. Even the typical day-to-day demands of living can contribute to your body's stress response.

The long-term activation of the stress-response system — and the subsequent overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones — can disrupt almost all your body's processes. This puts you at increased risk of numerous health problems, including:

• Heart disease
• Sleep problems
• Digestive problems
• Depression
• Obesity
• Memory impairment
• Worsening of skin conditions, such as eczema

That's why it's so important to learn healthy ways to cope with the stressors in your life.

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It can even cause miscarrage! (webmd.com)

"New research suggests that CRH and other stress hormones may also be released elsewhere in the body, where it specifically targets localized mast cells -- those best known for causing allergic reactions. Mast cells are abundant in the uterus. During stress, the local release of CRH causes these mast cells to secrete substances that can cause miscarriages." - webmd




And everyone has seen the commercials on tv "stress produces cortisol, cortisol creates belly fat..." Because you store fat when over stressed.


They say, according to the show "The Dr's" That some everyday stresses are good for you, like a new workout routine or taking tests. Keeps your mind sharp. But mostly they said stress is bad. Many say stress is worse on you than smoking, drinking, etc.


In america, we got a bad case of chronic stress!
"The survey of 1,000 men and women, ages 18 and older, revealed that 47 percent of respondents currently feel more stress than they did six months ago." (read more)


also ... rodale.com "americas stress prompts public health warning"
and ... USAToday "East to West, americans are feeling greater stress!"


usatoday.com - "Overall, housing costs worry 51% of the 1,848 adults polled last month by Harris Interactive for the APA. Housing is a "very significant or somewhat significant" source of stress for 61% of residents in the West and 55% of those in the East, compared with 47% in the Midwest and 43% in the South.


About one-third (32%) of those responding to the online survey report regularly experiencing extreme levels of stress."

(50 most stressed cities)

ITS insane!!!!!!!!

What can you do? Only change things you can control both within yourself, and what you can effect around you. Keep calm, positive. Learn to let things go. To not think about them unless needed. Over obsessing about something cannot change the outcome. Though I don't reccomend some ppls response of "chopping off offending limbs" completely. I learned that earlier, teen years, but some ppl still must learn that its not a fully successful way of handling problems. Though it can be very tempting. 

I think some ppl just lock down. Their brains tell them its too much to take and they just lock down. I do this with some things like death or disasters. There are plently of websites and prof drs who can help you learn how to properly manage your stress.

from web md "Managing Stress" - The body's autonomic nervous system has a built-in stress response that causes physiological changes to allow the body to combat stressful situations. This stress response, also known as the "fight or flight response," is activated in case of an emergency. However, this response can become chronically activated during prolonged periods of stress, which can cause wear and tear on the body -- both physical and emotional.

Stress that continues without relief can lead to a condition called distress -- a negative stress reaction. Distress can disturb the body's internal balance or equilibrium, leading to physical symptoms such as headaches, an upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, sexual dysfunction, and problems sleeping. Emotional problems can also result from distress. These problems includedepression, panic attacks, or other forms of anxiety and worry. Research suggests that stress also can bring on or worsen certain symptoms or diseases. Stress is linked to six of the leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.

What Are the Warning Signs of Stress?

Chronic stress can wear down the body's natural defenses, leading to a variety of physical symptoms, including:

• Dizziness or a general feeling of "being out of it"
• General aches and pains
• Grinding teeth, clenched jaw
• Headaches
• Indigestion or acid reflux symptoms
• Increase in or loss of appetite
• Muscle tension in neck, face or shoulders
• Problems sleeping
• Racing heart
• Cold and sweaty palms
• Tiredness, exhaustion
• Trembling/shaking
• Weight gain or loss
• Upset stomach, diarrhea
• Sexual difficulties

Tips for Reducing Stress

People can learn to manage stress and lead happier, healthier lives. Here are some tips to help you keep stress at bay.

• Keep a positive attitude.
• Accept that there are events that you cannot control.
• Be assertive instead of aggressive. Assert your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive.
• Learn and practice relaxation techniques; try meditation, yoga, or tai-chi.
• Exercise regularly. Your body can fight stress better when it is fit.
• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
• Learn to manage your time more effectively.
• Set limits appropriately and say no to requests that would create excessive stress in your life.
• Make time for hobbies and interests.
• Get enough rest and sleep. Your body needs time to recover from stressful events.
• Don't rely on alcohol, drugs, or compulsive behaviors to reduce stress.
• Seek out social support. Spend enough time with those you love.
• Seek treatment with a psychologist or other mental health professional trained in stress management or biofeedback techniques to learn more healthy ways of dealing with the stress in your life.

So! I hope that this was helpful in opening your eyes to the real problem stress can be on your body. Why you must learn to limit your stress as much as possible and try to live as worry free and happy as you can manage! You'll live longer.

Quote from Brock on Reba: Let it bounce of you like beebees on a Buick. "ping, pang, ping"