Have you had any stress lately? Who hasn’t? With the stock market falling, the mortgage crisis, loss of jobs and more, everyone is a bit stressed these days.
We try to cope and do the best we can. Have you ever wondered how your body is responding?
There is a definite reaction in the body as a result of the thoughts and concerns of the mind.
What the mind harbors, the body manifests in some way.
Your stress level influences the rate of aging in the body.
Over-reacting to harmless situations increases aging. Does it really matter if your child spills the milk?
Negative thoughts in your mind produce stress and speed up the aging process.
The skin reacts to stress and has two basic response patterns: Skin temperature and electrical activity.
During tense, anxious times, the blood vessels shut down and allow less blood to pass..causing the skin temperature to decrease.
Have you ever noticed your cold hands when you give a speech?
At other times the blood vessels open and allow the skin to flush with blood, increasing the skin temperature. Think of blushing.
There are two major effects of stress: Physiological–damage to organs and Resistance to disease is lowered.
Under stress, the body automatically prepares for “Fight or Flight.”
The body pulls together all its resources to accomplish this.
What does the body do?
The upper half of the body speeds up its functions. The pulse increases, respiration increases, blood pressure goes up and hormone levels drop.
The lower half slows, or shuts down.
The heart beat increases, and has to work harder.
Blood is pulled from extremities to the center of the body.
Blood thickens and clots more easily. Digestion stops.
Think of the health problems you are aware of.
Heart disease, male and female problems, digestion problems, blood clots (remember, the blood is thickening as the coagulation chemistry prepares to resist wounds with quick clotting.)
Muscle and bone are cannibalized to provide nutrients!
Colon function is impaired, resulting in: constipation, diarrhea, bloating from gas produced by undigested food. (the lower half of body shuts down)
The Immune system slows down substantially. You are more susceptible to illness, infection and degeneration.
The reproductive system shuts down. Menstrual cycles may change or stop. Infertility may result with men or women.
The reproductive system is nonessential to life, consequently it is one of the first body systems to suffer under stress.
Your body manufactures 55,000 new cells every second!
Cells require Protein, Vitamins and Minerals.
What happens to these nutrients under stress?
Protein is used 3 times faster.
Calcium is used four to five times faster.
Vitamin C is used in 12 minutes.
Zinc is lost in perspiration
B-Complex is used in 14 minutes.
Why are these nutrients important?
Protein builds cells and is necessary to all body actions.
It is a component of hormones and is necessary to the immune system.
Calcium relaxes muscles and neutralizes stomach acids. An insufficient supply in the body leads to osteoporosis, backaches, headaches and muscle spasms.
Vitamin C strengthens the immune system. It is necessary for healthy teeth and gums and it builds collagen.
It counters the effects of stress as it provides resistance to infection.
Zinc is a part of all enzymes. It is important to the function of the reproductive system, for both males and females. There is substantial losses in perspiration.
B-Complex calms the nerves. It is needed to produce energy from foods and in the production of antibodies.
Ways to cope with stress:
Identify what is stressful
Talk with someone important to you
Plan ahead
Exercise
Tackle problems one at a time
Have a positive attitude
Avoid alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, caffeine, and sugar
Know what you can and cannot change
Use quality nutritional supplements to quickly replace used up nutrients.
Shaklee Dist.
Is Stress Making You Sick? It is very possible. Stress affects the heart, weight, the skin and more. 