Stress

We all suffer from it at some point in our life but what exactly is it doing to your body and how can you help relieve it!

Our bodies are well adapted to deal with short term stress but if your stress levels remain high for prolonged periods your body goes into red alert and this can leave you vulnerable to some serious health problems.

So what exactly are your high stress levels doing to your body’s internal systems well let me tell you.

The Nervous system:
When you're stressed, the brain's sympathetic nerves signal the adrenal glands to release a chemical variety pack, including adrenaline and cortical. Persistently high levels of these chemicals may impair memory and learning, and up your odds for depression.

Endocrine system:

Stress hormones trigger the liver to produce more blood sugar, to give you that kick of energy in the moment of perceived danger. But if the "danger" you're concerned with is a long-term dilemma and you're already at risk for type 2 diabetes, bad news: Elevated glucose levels may turn you into full blown diabetic

Respiratory system

At high-stress moments, you may find yourself breathing faster, feeling short of breath, or even hyperventilating. Over the long term, this strain on the system can make you more susceptible to upper-respiratory infections.

Cardiovascular system

Momentary high levels of stress will make your heart beat faster and your blood pressure rise but prolonged high levels of stress can narrow your arteries and make your cholesterol rise which increases your risk of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.

Immune system

Short-term stress can actually boost the immune system, helping your body fight infection. Ongoing stress, however, turns things in the other direction, possibly slowing wound healing, leaving you more susceptible to infection, and worsening skin conditions such as eczema ,hives, and yes — acne.

Digestion System

Extreme stress on the digestion system can cause dry mouth, indigestion, nausea. It also stimulates the muscles of the intestines leading to diarrhoea or constipation. Have these symptoms chronically, and you may increase your risk for irritable bowel syndrome, severe heartburn, and ulcers.

Muscular System

When stress levels are high the muscles tense to deal with what your body perceives as danger this tension causes headaches and neck, shoulder, and back pain.  Prolonged stress makes this a whole lot worse leading to chronic pain.  

So how can you help reduce your stress levels so you are not left vulnerable to some serious health problems?? One word ….MASSAGE

Clinical Studies have shown that even a 30 minute massage can significantly lower your heart rate, cortical levels and insulin levels. All of which explains why massage therapy and stress relief go hand in hand.

Massage has been proven to:

1. Lower your heart rate and blood pressure.
2. Relax  your muscles
3. Increase the production of endorphins which is your body’s natural feel good chemical which is great at counteracting the effects of stress
4. Serotonin and dopamine are released during massage and these result in a feeling of calm relaxation that makes stress whether it be chronic or acute much easier to overcome.