Stress and Stress Relief
It all begins with an idea.
Research shows that many Americans have more than 150 uncompleted tasks at any time. This causes most of us to be in a constant default mode of chronic stress.
Stress keeps our sympathetic nervous system active. When we are in this “fight or flight” response, our adrenal glands secrete cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine- stress response hormones. Almost every cell in your body has receptors for these hormones. This is why stress can cause such a wide range of symptoms.
Stress relief:
Exercise/ Yoga (see youtube link below)
Meditation/ Mindfulness
Deep Breathing/ Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Taking time to enjoy your hobbies
Spending quality time with family and friends
Spending time in nature
Listening to music
Learning something new- new information or a new skill
Prayer/ Journaling
(find deep breathing and meditation videos in the mindfulness and meditation section of this website)
The Science of Stress: Sympathetics and Parasympathetics
It all begins with an idea.
The sympathetic nervous system is our usual default. This helped us survive in our caveman days when we were always on the look-out for danger. Most of us are no longer under this constant physical danger, so we must practice relaxation techniques to switch from the sympathetic to the parasympathetic system.
Yoga, deep breathing, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can help to slow our breathing and heart rate, and lower our blood pressure, which activates the parasympathetic system, allowing us to rest and relax.
(find deep breathing and meditation videos in the mindfulness and meditation section of this website)