Stress is a common and irritating part of your daily life. Nearly twenty-five percent of Americans suffer from abnormally high stress levels.
Stress is actually caused by a mammalian survival mechanism known as the “fight or flight” response. It is called the fight or flight response because it prepares animals – and humans like you – to fight or run away from a threat.
The Internal Process of Stress
This physiological stress response is due to the sympathetic nervous system.
Visual and auditory signals are sent to the emotional processing center of the brain called the amygdala. The amygdala then sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is the control center for involuntary activities in your body. The hypothalamus carries out the stress response by increasing your heart rate, dilating blood vessels, and increasing respiration and blood pressure.
The human body has evolved to activate the stress response in non-life threatening situations.
Family arguments, financial struggles, and job stress can all trigger your internal flight or fight response. Even though the original mechanism was designed to keep humans alive, chronic stress can be very harmful to physical and psychological health.
Here are a few health problems that are commonly caused – and made far worse – by levels of stress that continues for long periods of time. These health problems can be avoided by actively reducing your stress levels.
Seven Health Problems Attributed to Stress:
1. Heart Disease: Stress actively increases your heart rate and blood pressure. It can also cause the release of cholesterol and triglycerides into the blood stream. This can lead to artery-clogging plaque deposits. The added stress on your cardiac system can cause atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.
These serious health risks can be avoided! Always be aware of your personal stress levels and how it contributes to your decisions, health, and daily life.
Preventing Stress Means a Healthier Life
There are several healthy and natural ways to reduce stress. By analyzing the source of the stress you feel in your life, you can determine what professional, emotional, and physical changes will do the greatest good.
Natural Stress Relievers
- Listening to music
Reducing your stress levels is a proven way to drastically improve your physical, mental, and emotional health. Don’t wait one more day…stress will kill you.
Evaluate, make a plan, and start getting stress out of your life right now!
