Stress is something that everyone experiences to some degree, especially these days. In fact in a recent gallup poll, Americans’ average stress level was 39.4% with Oregon rating 42.3%. How well you manage the stress will effect not only your health but your quality of daily life.

 

Some stress is normal and even beneficial in response to an immediate task such as finishing a deadline, a race or even getting out of the way of a close call to save you from harm. It subsides in a short time, relief takes over and your body returns to normal or homeostasis. However when you are under constant stress, this healthy response can become pathological and has a negative impact on your health.

Daily stress can be related to your finances, job, spouse, children, parents, relationships, ill health and the list goes on. No matter where the origination of stress, your body is trying its’ hardest to manage it in the only way it knows how. The buildup of daily stress causes a cascade of physiological processes that are linked to many unhealthy symptoms such as high blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, irritability, poor concentration, poor memory, loss of self confidence, depression, mood changes, digestive issues, weight gain or loss, muscle tension and aching, fertility issues and more. Basically, you can fill in the blanks to your cause of stress and the problems or symptoms you are having as a result. Often times people resort to quick fixes such as taking prescription or illegal drugs, alcohol or food to cope. However, these just aren’t effective or healthy ways to reduce stress.

What can you do besides taking medications that risk unwanted side effects? Plenty!!

Healthy tips to help reduce stress      

Make the decision and commitment to yourself to alter your lifestyle and how you respond and manage the stress you’re under in the most beneficial and natural way possible. This doesn’t mean closing yourself off and hiding from the causes of your stress, quite the contrary. Get out and enjoy your life in every way possible and take good care of yourself by implementing some safe, effective natural therapies and practices.

  • Acupuncture is a natural treatment for stress relief as it has a relaxation response on the body such as decreased heart rate, lowered BP, stress reduction and increased energy. It causes the body to produce a calm tranquilizing action that particularly benefits people under stress. Acupuncture can relieve feelings of anxiety and depression as well. How many people do you hear say they love acupuncture because it’s so relaxing?!
  • Chinese herbal formulas can help support and re-balance the body, help to relieve that pent up on edge feeling without the unwanted side effects of western drugs. (See a licensed practitioner of Chinese medicine for an appropriate diagnosis and formula)
  • Meditation Breathing techniques, Yoga, Imagery or Self Hypnosis, Tai Qi or Qi Gong all help to regulate breathing, get your energy moving and remove the feeling of stress
  • Get more sleep- Clear out your bedroom of all electric gadgets and turn them off at 9pm so you have time to unwind from your day before falling to sleep. Make sure your room is totally dark as well, since the body naturally produces melatonin while you sleep and it’s inhibited by even a small amount of light.
  • Daily exercise for at least 30 minutes a day such as walking, bike riding, working out at the gym, or pilates
  • Eat more nutritious foods such as a whole foods mostly plant based diet made up of local seasonal fruits and veggies, reduce intake of sugars, dairy, deep fried, spicy or packaged foods and limit alcohol. A drink here and there is fine but don’t overdo. Drink plenty of filtered water daily. Roughly 50% of body weight in oz’s, 75oz for a 150 lb person.
  • Take daily walks in nature or dig in the garden and don’t forget to notice the beauty of the outdoors and changing of seasons
  • Journaling- can help when you write about things that bother you in life and gives you some quiet time to process what ever is bothering you.
  • Reconnect and spend quality time with family and close friends that makes you smile and laugh. Take time one weekend a month to disconnect and turn all electronics off for weekend. No mobile, no email, no tv. This gives your complete attention to yourself, your family and people you spend time with.

Making the time to implement stress reduction techniques will allow you to reduce the risks of unhealthy symptoms and help you to positively respond to the daily stress that is unavoidable.

Liane Goldberg L.Ac, Dipl OM, MSTOM

Body In Bloom Acupuncture

NW Portland Location

1962 NW Kearney St #102

Portland Or   97209

503. 901. 2075