Stress Relief
What is stress?
Stress is a bodily response which is triggered when you are faced with any kind of demand or threat. When you sense danger, whether it is physical or mental, the bodily defenses kick in to protect you through a process called the “fight-or-flight” or “stress response”. Stress is a mechanism in shielding yourself to keep you from working properly, stay focused and alert.
What causes stress?
There are many factors which can cause stress. This could be from social problems, work problems, family problems and many more. Stress can be triggered by both external and internal factors. Feeling overwhelmed, sad and a sense of anxiety, can all lead to over-stressing, which can ultimately affect how you function during your daily activities. Stress tends to worsen and build overtime, and it can be difficult to release stress if it is not addressed quickly. People who are stressed are also prone to remain in a state of heightened stress which can disrupt your nervous system and suppress your immune system. This can lead to: lack of appetite, speeding up the aging process and leaving you vulnerable to serious mental illnesses.
Stress can be both detrimental for your health and well being. It can cause major health problems such as:
Depression and anxiety
Sleeping problems
Autoimmune diseases
Digestive problems
Headaches and migraines
Heart disease
Weight problems
Reproductive issues
Back and neck pain
How stress affects your back and neck
Stress affects the body in a myriad of ways. However, it can also affect your posture and provoke neck and back pain. When we are stressed out, our body releases certain hormones which increases our blood pressure, causing the muscles around our spine to tense up. As stress also triggers headaches and puts weight onto your neck, it can also provoke symptoms such as fatigue and irritability.
Stress can cause our self-esteem to drop, leaving us to naturally hunch our back which can lead to poor posture. This can then strain the muscles around the back and neck. During stressful times, people become more sedentary and lethargic, leaving them to be less active.
Tips to reduce your stress levels
Get moving and exercise more
Connect to others and talk about your thoughts
Engage your senses and be more aware of your surroundings
Try to relax and take a deep breath
Eat a healthy diet and stay hydrated by drinking water frequently
Get your rest and sleep
Lastly, if you are feeling any discomfort or stress in your neck and back, call Spinal Care Chiropractic on (02) 8964 6385 or book online to see Dr. Stephen Yoon or Dr. Andrew Al Hage for a consultation.
We are located at Suite 105 102 Bennelong Parkway, Sydney Olympic Park.
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