Stress

Stress affects different people in different ways, and everyone has a different method of dealing with it. Here are some symptoms which can occur as a result of stress;
Physical symptoms Headache, Chest pain, Pounding heart, High blood pressure, Shortness of breath, Muscle aches, Back pain, Tooth grinding, Stomach upset, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Increased sweating, Tiredness, Sleep problems, Weight gain or loss.
Psychological/Mental symptoms; Anxiety, Restlessness, Worrying, Irritability, Depression, Sadness, Anger, Mood, swings, Feeling insecure. Burnout, Forgetfulness, Resentment, Guilt, Inability to concentrate.
Behavioural symptoms Overeating, Under eating, Angry outbursts, Drug abuse, Excessive drinking, Increased smoking, Social withdrawal, Crying spells, Relationship conflicts, Decreased productivity, Blaming others.

Feelings of stress are caused by the body’s instinct to defend itself. This instinct is good in emergencies, such as getting out of the way of a speeding car. But stress can cause physical symptoms if it goes on for too long.
When this happens, it’s as though your body gets ready to run out of the way of the car, but you’re sitting still. Your body is working overtime, with no place to put all the extra energy. This can make you feel anxious, afraid, worried and uptight.
Stress can cause health problems or make problems worse if you don’t learn ways to deal with it.

Recently therapists such as myself are helping an increasing number of clients who are suffering from stress response illnesses. It is important that such illnesses are investigated medically to ensure they are not a sign of other health problems and good therapists should know this.

Recognising that you are suffering from stress is not a sign of defeat, it doesn’t tell you that you can cope or that you are any less of a person. To be willing to recognise stress in your life can help you secure your future health both physically and mentally.

There are a lot of ways by which you can help your body deal with stress. Exercise is probably the first plan of action. Exercise helps to burn off those extra stress hormones, it helps to keep you fit and you feel good, if not great, when it becomes a regular part of life.

Taking time for yourself to do the things YOU enjoy. A lot of people feel guilty about taking time to indulge in activities that bring joy. We all need joy and fun and laughter regularly, life is there to enjoy. When you invest time in yourself you are also making sure that you are fit for life and have energy to give to those you love.

Eat well. Stress creates a lot of nervous energy and this energy burns up a lot of vitamins and minerals.

If the stress response that you experience feels as though it is out of control seek medical help. It is OK to be prescribed medication at these times. I explain this to my clients like this; look on the prescribed anti-depressants and or tranquillisers during this period in your life in the same way as you would a crutch if you had a broken leg. It is all right to need a ‘crutch’; there will be a time when you don’t need it. You will get to a place on the road to recovery when you will feel well, however along the way seek and take all the help you can get.

Counselling is a great help. Having someone listen to your fears and help you put them into perspective is a terrific action to take. Sometimes a chat with a good friend can fulfil this role. Talking is important don’t bottle it up.

Massage helps to physically and mentally unwind, so seek out that with which you are comfortable; reflexology, back massage, Indian head massage, aromatherapy.

Homotoxicology offers many remedies for stress; they are prescribed according to your symptoms. The general remedies are Nervoheel and Neurexan. Both help the body cope with stress and its symptoms without a sedating effect. There are many other remedies but these have to be individually prescribed.

Without stress, life would be dull and unexciting. Stress adds flavour, challenge and opportunity to life. The best strategy for avoiding an overt stress response is to learn how to relax.