Easy Does It

Stress can really affect the body. I know this is not new news but I don't think we realize just how dangerous stress can be and just how much we're affected by it, sometimes in ways that are not so obvious. A brief conversation I had with one of my neighbors caused me to reflect on the stress issue again. 

Here are a few ways we can be affected:

1. Heart - Some studies show there may be a connection between heart attacks and stress. A recent study of 200,000 employees in Europe found that people who have stressful jobs and little decision-making power at work are 23% more likely to have a first heart attack than people with less job-related stress.

2. Insomnia - Stress can cause a state where you don't feel sleepy. Long-term exposure to chronic stress can not only disrupt sleep but contribute to sleep disorders.

3. Headaches - Stress can make the muscles tense which can create a tension headache or migraine either during the stress or in the "let-down" period afterwards.

4. Memory - Too much stress can interfere with the brain forming new memories. Stress can also make it hard to think straight or remember things. Chronic worry is never good for the mind or body. And, in my opinion, it doesn't change the situation in any way. A lot of energy is expended with little to no positive results.

While it may difficult to limit stress, it is possible to manage it. We do have the power to control our own thoughts. We may not believe that but we do. It has been said that its not so much what happens as it is your response to it. I'm not suggesting this is easy but being mindful is a step in the right direction. I encourage you to make a sincere attempt to incorporate some stress-reducing practices into your life/lifestyle. My thing is prayer/meditation. Your's maybe yoga, reading, a soak in the tub. Explore things that might bring more peace into your life. Take the best care of yourself from the inside to the skin-side.

Together we thrive,

Jacqueline