Stress  Management


Stress Management Home Page | Faith411.com Home Page

Vital information and articles related to Stress Management.


The Physiology of Stress


In the body, the stress response is mediated by the hypothalamic-adrenal-pituitary axis, or the HPA-axis for short.

When the body perceives stress, the HPA axis, along with the sympathetic nervous system, famous for its "fight of flight" response, are activated together.

Although the stress response is helpful and necessary when dealing with short lived stressors, issues result when the perceived stress remains sustained over a period of time. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) tends to dominate over its counter balance, the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). As a result, the individual has difficulty settling back down to their normal physical and emotional state, even if the perceived stress is subsequently removed. Chiropractic care can aid in normalizing sympathetic nerve function.

The HPA-axis is responsible for releasing a hormone known as cortisol, most commonly known as the stress hormone. Cortisol has many diverse physiological functions that occur throughout the body, such as suppressing immune function, increasing blood glucose levels, and breaking down different body tissues. When the stressor is removed, cortisol levels drop and the body returns to its normal level of activity.

Problems result, however, if the perceived stress is not removed. Unless the body has a chance to recover, the effects of stress hormones tend to accumulate and build up. Chronic stress can cause result in either an over activation or an under activation of the HPA axis, depending on the individual. Over activation of the HPA axis may result in increased and sustained levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This in turn can result in a variety of symptoms such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Agitation
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Lowered immune response
  • Altered reproductive function
  • Elevated cholesterol levels
  • Elevated triglyceride levels
  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Insulin resistance
  • Fatigue
  • Impaired memory
  • Central obesity
  • Loss of muscle tone and protein wasting
  • Bone mineral loss and impaired injury recovery.

In addition, people under stressed emotional states tend to have cravings for sweeter, higher fat foods and more energy dense meals. Without a corresponding increase in physical activity, these individuals tend to experience weight gain as a result.

Alternatively, the other type of stress response that an individual may experience is an under activation of the HPA axis. Symptoms associated with this state may include:

  • An increased risk of autoimmune diseases
  • An increased risk of inflammatory conditions
  • Apathy
  • Malaise/fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Reduced libido
  • Weight loss
  • Poor, restless sleep
  • Chronic pain
  • Asthma
  • Allergies
  • An inability to carry out routine tasks.

If the stress continues unabated, the body can actually experience adrenal fatigue, where the body can no longer deal adequately with the perceived stress. Commonly known as burnout, the body's ability to respond to any stress becomes compromised.

Although eliminating stress form one's life may be the most desired objective, it is not always practical. There are strategies that one may employ to deal with stress. In addition to getting adequate levels of physical activity, restful sleep and eating a well balanced diet, supplementation with adaptogens such as Prime One can be an effective strategy to help mitigate the deleterious effects of stress.

Author Bio: Dr. Rajiv Laroiya, B.Sc., D.C., F.I.C.P.A., is the Clinical Director of 2 Wellness Centers in Calgary Alberta. He is a Fellow of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, and many families across the nation have benefited from his treatments. In addition, he is a Consulting Expert for The Adaptogens for Life Group. For more information about health and stress and what to do, visit us at: http://www.parallelwellness.com andhttp://www.adaptogensforlife.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Stress management on the shopping list
Warwick Courier,  UK - 23 hours ago
By Holly Whitmill STRESSED shoppers and residents in Southam will be able to "bag advice" on how to cope with the pressures of modern-day life. ...


Stress Management--Desk Rage is More Common in the Workplace
Corsavoo.com, France - Aug 27, 2008
In a telephone survey commissioned by Integra Realty Resources, Inc, nearly one-third of 1305 workers who responded admitted to yelling at someone in the ...


Stress Management Tips – Effective Ways to Manage Stress
Corsavoo.com, France - Aug 22, 2008
Here are a few stress management tips to help you overcome stress. Stress Management Tip # 1: Take a break. Yes, that’s right. ...


The Greatest Loser: Stress management
Joplin Globe, MO - Aug 20, 2008
Dr. AmyKay Cole, a psychology instructor at Missouri Southern State University, talked about managing stress during Tuesday’s Greatest Loser program at the ...


A lesson in stress management
Kawartha Media Group, Canada - Aug 19, 2008
By Karen DeNoble "Uh oh ... that doesn't sound good,"Â was my reply, croaking out of my yet to be coffee-soaked gullet. It would seem that I had made an ...


Class focuses on stress management
Quad City Times, IA - Aug 16, 2008
By Times staff | Saturday, August 16, 2008 4:45 PM CDT | () comments A new Black Hawk College class, "The Management and Mastering of Stress," will meet 7-9 ...


Stress Management Important Throughout Military Careers
Australia.TO, Australia - Aug 12, 2008
"The idea of the center is ... not only to help sailors and Marines in distress, but to promote good stress management and promote psychological health so ...


Yoga therapy for stressed out motormen
Times of India, India - 7 hours ago
Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute, a national-level organisation funded by the union HRD ministry, will conduct the study on role of 'yoga in stress management ...


Borneo Bulletin

SOAS gets stress management talk
Borneo Bulletin, Brunei Darussalam - Aug 7, 2008
Yesterday, 200 Form 3 and 5 students from Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Collage (SOAS) attended a stress management seminar conducted by SN Hj Md Shah Hj ...


NewsReleaseWire.com (press release)

The Bywater Journal: Stress Management for Top Performance (Part One)
NewsReleaseWire.com (press release) - Aug 6, 2008
Check out the following tried and true stress management techniques. You'll soon discover that even modest changes can have a dramatic impact. Breathe. ...

Stress-Management - Google News



Stress Management Articles Home Page | Stress Management Articles Site Map | News | Faith411.com Home Page
EZmatic.com | IgoJo | UpBee | Blue Ryder | Health | ZippyGo | Ken J Wagner

Faith411.com - all Vital information and articles related to Stress Management.

© 2006