Beat Stress, Defy Aging!

The stress-response we experience as human beings is a beautifully intricate, well-developed system. It has been responsible for the protection of the human race for 1000’s of years. However, a life full of prolonged, chronic stress is not a healthy one. Many feel that if they are not stressed, they are not working or worrying quite enough. There even exists a tendency to take pride in pushing past the body’s limits; abusing the mind and body for the sake of bragging rights. It is unfortunate that this occurs in our society because chronic stress ages us exponentially. In addition to causing rapid aging, graying hair, and wrinkles, living with prolonged, chronic stress reduces many hormone levels in the body and leads to a lack of vitality, energy, and zest for life. (1) Scientists have also determined that chronic, stress-induced arousal results in an increase in abdominal fat. (2) Even more importantly, stress has been linked to a great number of diseases and other ailments including anxiety disorders, depression, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease, certain gastrointestinal diseases, and some cancers. (3) When our minds are stressed, our bodies are stressed as a result. Our hormones and energy reserves are drained, and we are left empty, sometimes with little left to take on the next day’s tasks or care for our families.

We can empower ourselves by refusing to allow stress to interfere with our lives and our health! Many state that one of the best ways to combat a negative stress response is simply to practice the habit of taking slow, deep breaths. (2) There are books and books devoted entirely to the teaching of stress-reducing techniques! We can learn to recognize potential stressors and eliminate them or prepare ourselves to react calmly. We can actually develop habits to stop the body’s stress-response from occurring. Protecting ourselves does not mean that we must be confined to our homes or that we must never take risks. It simply means taking control of our reactions to the stressful environments in which we live. It is a matter of becoming aware of the affects of stress on the body and the aging process. It means embracing inner tranquility to add years of health and beauty to our lives.

Proper nutrition is also incredibly important in the body’s battle against the effects of stress. Replenishing depleted vitamin and mineral stores with fresh, living food and with supplements is a wonderful way to give the body what it needs to be repaired and become vital once again. Some of us may even need to replenish depleted hormones by undergoing hormone replacement therapy. Only a well-trained physician can identify symptoms which signify the body’s need for hormone replacement. This type of therapy must be very delicately tuned to an individual’s needs. Hormones are then closely monitored to ensure that they remain at the appropriate levels, mimicking the body’s biologically optimal quantities. Whether or not a full regimen of hormone replacement and supplements are needed, the body cannot become revitalized if not given the proper tools. When provided with its requirements, however, it is capable of extraordinary recuperation!

There really is a mind-body connection. We simply cannot deny it. This is why psychological stress affects our body’s ability to fight against disease. We simply must come to the realization that as human beings, we have the power to control our reactions to many stressful situations. Whatever way we choose to combat the stress in our lives, we must learn to cope with life’s difficulties in a positive way, a way which invokes a sense of serenity and stability. Combating stress in these ways will allow us all to live healthier, younger, much more beautiful lives.

(1) Hertoghe, T, & Nabet, J.J. (2002). The Hormone solution: stay younger longer. New York: Three Rivers Press.

(2) Cooper, Robert K. Flip the Switch: proven strategies to fuel your metabolism and burn fat 24 hours a day (Advanced Excellence Systems, 2005)

(3) Fackelmann, K.A., & Raloff, J. (1993, September 25). Psychological stress linked to cancer. Science News, Retrieved 01/18/2010 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1200/is_n13_v144/ai_14491697/