Stress can have a negative effect on your body. So before stress gets the best of you, follow the stress management tips below to help you feel better and stay healthy no matter what comes your way!
The Physiology of Stress
Stress produces a negative physiological response, an involuntary physical reaction brought on by a perceived threat. Stress has been a part of mankind’s existence since the beginning and comes from the body’s natural defense responses: fight, flight, or freeze. Our ancestors used these instincts to respond to serious daily physical threats – and ultimately stay alive! Our natural defensive systems can still save us today when a real threat against our lives is imminent. For example, consider the way a pedestrian jumps out of the way when he hears the honking of an oncoming car.
Although our daily “threats” have changed drastically, the chemical release and physiological responses have not. New threats come in the form of deadlines, uncertainties in life, an argument with a spouse, chronic illness, behaviors of others, too much stimuli without sufficient release, and so on.
The symptoms you experience as a result of stress can be immediate or present themselves over time. Some of the physical symptoms you might experience include the following:
- Rapid heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Difficulty breathing
- Numbness and tingling
- Dilated pupils
- Stomach ache
- Muscle aches and fatigue
- Tiredness
- Increased colds and other illnesses
- Depression
Stress Management is Crucial to Our Well-Being
Yuck! Those side effects don’t sound fun. So how do we combat these symptoms? You can sell all your belongings, move to a remote island, build a hut, and do nothing but meditate all day. But that doesn’t sound very realistic. And, in reality, you’d still deal with daily stressors as you would have to forage for your own food and you’d miss everyone you cared about. In short, you’d probably be hungry, lonely, and, alas, stressed.
Instead, try these simple techniques to ward off daily stress:
- Exercise
Exercising discharges endorphins, or “feel good” chemicals, that reduce perception of pain. It’s a way to release the build up that daily stress can cause. - Rest
Getting enough quality sleep will help your body shut down and process out the old before it reboots ready to start the next day. When you’re tired, your body is less capable of responding to stress in a productive way. - Meditation
Whether you formally meditate or just spend a few quiet moments a day realigning your mind and body, that connection is important. Journaling thoughts is also a way to help release stress that accumulates throughout the day. - Have FUN!
Go out. Be with people. Spend time with the ones you love and take time to be carefree. Be responsible, but enjoy life. - NIS treatment
NIS treatment reconnects the mind to the body, sending signals that healing is needed in a particular area.
Wait. What Exactly is NIS Treatment?
We’re glad you asked. NIS stands for Neurological Integration System and is a form of kinesiology, the study of the mechanics of movement that allow the body’s innate healing energy to flow. Stress can impact the connection between the brain and the body and it is manifest through non-responsive muscles. Non-responsive muscles are discovered administering a simple muscle test. Once the disconnected areas are exposed, Dr. Knight will then perform NIS treatment by stimulating areas of the brain needed to restore function to the specific parts of your body that are affected. The process uses gentle tapping on specific sections of the skull to activate the areas that allow proper communication and flow to occur between brain and body. It’s as simple as that!
NIS is quick, safe, non-invasive, and non-manipulative. Add NIS to your stress management protocol by calling Dr. Knight today and setting up a free consultation.