Each day brings challenges. Consider each challenge a lesson to learn.
Within every problem lies the solution. Each struggle is an opportunity and gift for growth.
-Anonymous

STRESS

What is it? What does it do to the body? What to do about it.

The catchword today for the cause of so many problems is stress. It is blamed for myriad physical, mental and emotional conditions. The truth, however, is that how we look at things makes them more or less stressful to us. What one person finds stressful another might find stimulating or just unimportant. Moreover, our physical state can make the same or similar situations more or less stressful.

Hans Selye, M.D., the original researcher wrote, “Stress in itself is not bad. A certain amount is needed to tune you up for action and keep you on your toes. On the other hand one must learn the limits of your endurance before we exceed them dangerously.”

WHAT IS STRESS?

In the 1930’s, Dr. Selye discovered a syndrome of stress he named General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS). It has three stages: Alarm, Adaptation and Exhaustion. The first stage is an acute reaction to anything upsetting—called the “fight or flight” response and in the normal situation a person rebounds quickly. The second stage occurs if the stimulus continues over a long time or if the stress is excessively profound. Stage three occurs if stage two lasts so long or is so severe that adaptation efforts fail and the body dies.

WHAT DOES IT DO TO THE BODY?

The classic signs of prolonged or severe stress are threefold, but affect the entire body:

1. Adrenal glands enlarge and secrete excessive amounts of hormones, especially cortisol. This inhibits the immune system, causes joint pain, fevers and swelling and dysfunction of the glandular and nervous systems.
2. Stomach and duodenal walls ulcerate which causes malabsorption of nutrients, malnutrition and ultimately poor cell function.
3. Glands and tissues of the immune system shrink depressing immune function and adaptability when exposed to allergens.
4. Other stress related conditions: hypertension, cardiovascular problems, kidney, skin and psychological disorders. A Dutch study done by Utrecht University in 1999 stated, “ Uncontrollled stress that lasts 15 minutes can interfere with how the immune system is activated to fight disease.” Selye said in Stress of Life, “Virtually every organ and chemical constituent of the human body is involved in the General Stress Reaction.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?

1. Be sure your spine is aligned. Proper nerve supply to the glands and organs, especially the adrenal glands, enhances their function and helps offset the effects of the stress. It ensures function of the digestive and eliminative systems which helps absorption of nutrients and cleans the body of debilitating toxins. This helps promote mental and emotional stability. Good nerve supply to the gastric area helps prevent ulceration and enhances digestion.
2. Eat a very healthy diet and supplement with Vitamin C, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium and Magnesium. C and Pantothenic acid are quickly used up by the body during stressful periods. Calcium and Mg. are necessary for muscle relaxation, good digestion and hundreds of chemical reactions. Avoid poor quality, processed foods. They use up nutrients needed to protect the immune system. See my book for specifics about diet and supplementation. Drink water. 
3. Exercise. This controls stress and enhances blood and lymph flow. (Lymph carries away toxins and blood carries in oxygen and nutrients for good cell function.)
4. Get Proper Rest/Sleep: Necessary for healing and rejuvenation. Use herbal sleep preparations if necessary.
5. Relaxation-Meditation/Breathing: Oxygen reduces toxic, metabolic by-products which aggravate stress reactions.
6. If necessary, consult a counselor, to talk about emotional problems. Just having a good and trusted friend to talk to can relieve the stress of carrying an emotional load alone.
7. Thought: Negative thoughts create toxins. Positive thoughts strengthen the entire body. This is a proven fact. Make yourself feel what it feels like to have the stress or problem resolved. Keep seeing and feeling the problem as resolved. It really helps. Create your life.