Stress and Illness: How You Can Protect Your Health 

Garland Valley, BSN, RN 

How Does Stress Cause Physical Illness?

Many research studies have shown direct correlations between stress and illness. For example prolonged emotional or physical stress has been shown to decrease our immune systems and number of lymphocytes and phagocytic cells, which defend us aginst infection. Stress and health have close ties with each other. Both of these affect each other leading to positive or negative effects on health. Mental and physical health is essential for a person to work effectively and lead a happy and peaceful life. Today we find stress in almost all situations that knowingly or sometimes unknowingly affect our body and our thoughts. Stress is a vicious circle that is a part of our lives. Stress and health are in inverse relation to each other. When the levels of stress are high, our health declines and when we are stress free our health prospers.

1. It is not possible to get rid of stress completely as it reappears in some way or the other. Therefore, there is no use of worrying about stress and the situations that cause stress. Instead of focusing on that, you can concentrate on your health. Make sure that your daily intake of food includes the necessary nutrients and vitamins that automatically make you strong enough to cope with stress.

2. You should also keep away from negative addictions like alcohol and drugs to get rid of stress. Some people may feel that these control stress levels. However, these affect our health and have many negative effects. Therefore, it is best to stay away from such addictions. Your health is very important and only a healthy person can combat stress effectively so that it does not harm him.

3. Sometimes emotional disturbances also take a toll on your body leaving you feeling mentally stressed out. This also affects your physical health and your daily routine. So make sure that you do not let these problems affect your health. Extreme stress can totally destroy your health and make you extremely vulnerable and susceptible to severe illnesses.

That is why you should not let stress plague your health because in the long run stress can change your life completely. Stress and health are the most talked about topics in today’s world due our hectic, chaotic and materialistic lives.

Combat the health effects of stress by increasing your core energy

Core energy can be seen as your primary fuel source, core energy is not only physical stamina but also your levels of emotion and spiritual energy. Stress eats up most of our energy and makes us weak physically and mentally. Without sufficient energy, you cannot complete daily tasks effectively. High levels of energy are needed to relieve stress and keep it at bay. High levels of energy are very essential as they help in maintaining a cheerful attitude. A number of options are available to boost your energy levels for stress relief.

4. Stress leads to fatigue and anxiety. It drains us of our energy and makes generates disinterest in us. One of the effective ways of boosting energy levels is to eat the right quality and quantity of food, which are rich in nutrients. Food is the main source of our energy and if we want to boost our energy levels then we should eat healthy food. There are plenty of healthy foodstuffs that can impart necessary energy to your body.

5. Another effective way of boosting your energy levels is to indulge in regular exercises like swimming and cycling. Most feel that exercising is an outlet of our energy but in reality; it helps in reenergizing us and infuses enthusiasm in us. Exercises lead in proper circulation of the oxygen and blood in the body.

6. Treating yourself to a massage or visiting a spa can also boost your energy levels. A massage or a steam relax all your muscles and produce energy in us. You can head for a spa whenever you feel stressed and get reenergized and rejuvenated. Aromatherapy can also be used to increase you energy levels and it proves to be a great experience.

7. Stress affects our regular patterns of sleep leading to a sudden loss of sleep. Sufficient sleep is very essential for being recharged to take on the host of activities that lie ahead of you. You should get a sound sleep as during sleep all your entire body is in a relaxed state. When you wake up you are filled with fresh energy and vigor with no traces of stress.

8. You also have to make sure that you drink plenty of water that keeps you energized. There are plenty of vitamin tablets and healthy energy drinks available in the market. You can resort to these tablets if you feel extremely low on energy. However, make sure that you take the right tablets after consulting your doctor.

Energy is the main factor that either controls or leads to stress depending upon the levels of intensity. So make sure that you are full of energy always and maintain a healthy lifestyle.



 

Posted By HOUSE OF GAR Holistic Health and Wellness  on Nov 30th, 2008