with Susie Bower
What Is Stress?
Physical
trauma
injury/surgery
over-exertion
intense physical labor
environmental pollution from pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, radiation, noise, EMF
hypoglycemia
hormonal imbalances
illness from viral, bacterial, fungal
fatigue
inadequate oxygen supply
nutritional deficiencies
food allergies and intolerances
dehydration
substance abuse
musculoskeletal misalignment or imbalances
Psycho-spiritual
A crisis of values
lack of meaning and/or purpose
moral and/or ethical dilemmas
joyless striving (instead of productive, satisfying, meaningful and fulfilling work)
misalignment with one’s core spiritual beliefs
Psychological
emotional stress from resentments, fears, frustration, sadness, anger, grief, bereavement
cognitive stress from information overload, worry, guilt, shame, jealousy, attachments
self-criticism/self-loathing
perfectionism
anxiety/panic attacks
not feeling like yourself
not feeling like things are real
sense of being out of control/not being in control
perceptual stress from beliefs, roles, stories, attitudes, world view
Psychosocial
marriage difficulties with partner
relationship with siblings, children, family
relationships at work with employer, co-workers, employer
lack of social support
lack of resources for adequate survival
loss of employment, investments, savings
loss of loved ones
bankruptcy
home foreclosure
isolation
Identifying the types of stressors - or demands of life - and your reaction to them is the first step in understanding triggers so you may reduce the stress response.
When we are unable to manage the impact stress has on us, the burden of that chronic stress begins to take its toll on the body. It can manifest and show up in our body as headaches, heart palpitations, constricted throat and shallow, constricted breathing, clammy palms, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, allergies, asthma, autoimmune syndromes related to the ineffective functioning and suppression of the immune system, high blood pressure, and gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, upset stomach, ulcers and esophageal reflux syndrome.
Become self aware and recognize how stress may be showing up for you:
How is your cognitive function?
Anxious thoughts, fearful anticipation, poor concentration, difficulty with memory
How do you feel emotionally?
Feelings of tension, irritability, restlessness, worries, inability to relax, depression
Are you having behavioral changes?
Avoidance of tasks, sleep problems, difficulty in completing work assignments, fidgeting, tremors, strained face, clenching fists, crying, changes in drinking, eating, or smoking behaviors
What do you feel in your body?
Stiff or tense muscles, grinding teeth, sweating, tension headaches, faint feelings, choking feeling, difficulty in swallowing, stomach pains or cramping, nausea, vomiting, loosening of bowels, constipation, frequency and urgency of urination, loss of interest in sex, tiredness, shakiness or tremors, weight loss or gain, awareness of heartbeat
How are you feeling in social environments?
Some people in stressful times tend to seek out others to be with. Other people withdraw under stress. Also, the quality of relationships can change when a person is under stress.
Content from Will Joel Friedman, Ph.D. training
Unfortunately stress has become so common in our lives, it often goes undetected and we ignore the signs. Did you know that insomnia, eating disorders, anxiety and panic attacks, depression, circulatory problems, some heart related conditions, and even diabetes and some cancers are rooted in stress? Isn't it crazy that most of the health disorders can be related to stress? So what can you do to reduce your stress?