Stress seems to be a natural part of our modern lifestyle, and many people do not even realize that that carries a great deal of stress with them every day. Managing stress is important because it can cause a range of physical and emotional symptoms that may lead to cardiovascular problems, digestive issues and more.
How Your Body Manages Stress
When you have a lot on your mind, your brain tries to manage the situation by placing you into a “fight or flight” mode. Essentially, your brain is saying that it needs relief, typically by getting things off of your plate. You suddenly feel rushed to accomplish your daily list of tasks within little to no time. Suddenly your heart rate increases, drops of sweat develop on your face and body, breathing becomes shallow, and you start to fidget. Hormones that your brain releases cause these symptoms.
Stress: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Short episodes of stress do have some benefits. You may suddenly feel a burst of energy and motivation that allows you to focus and do work. Living this way on a daily basis, though, damages your body. Stress will overwork your heart and other organs. If you live months or years under chronic stress, you may find that your body is in a constant state of anxiety and your thoughts never quite settle down. Over time, you may develop:
- Sleeping disorders
- Acid reflux
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar
- Problems with fertility
- Indigestion
- More frequent or severe ailments
- Depression
- Chronic anxiety and panic disorders
- Fatigue
Serious medical conditions that have been linked to stress include heart attacks, strokes, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obesity, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis and more.
Take Control of Your Stress
Stress responses are rooted in one simple belief — that life is simply out of control. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, take a break. Walking, meditation and listening to soothing music are very effective ways to allow our brains to escape the pressures of daily life. Couple these exercises with treatments at our Serenity Spa at least one time each month. The investment that you make in relaxation will make a significant difference in your quality of life.
If Stress Overwhelms You – Contact Summit Healthcare
To learn more about our Serenity Spa, as well as our women and infant services, outpatient clinics and other facilities, contact Summit Healthcare today. You can also contact our Snowflake Medical Center at (928) 536-7519. You can reach our Family Medicine locations at (928) 536-5858 in Snowflake, (928) 537-5437 in Lakeside and (928) 532-3926 in Show Low. We also have two clinics that can be reached at (928) 367-6688 in Pinetop.
