How Stress Kills Us

Stress and Its Impact on the Body:

Stress can have a significant effect on your body, and it can even be detrimental to your health. Two main systems control your stress response: the nervous system and the endocrine (hormone) system.

Nervous System:

• Your autonomic nervous system consists of two subsystems that balance each other: the parasympathetic system and the sympathetic system.
• The parasympathetic system supports healing, maintenance, rest, and regeneration, and the body thrives when it is predominant.
• The sympathetic system activates during times of stress and diverts blood away from the gut and the body's cleaning, healing, and detoxification functions.
• When the sympathetic system is overly active, it can lead to imbalances such as heart strain, digestive issues, decreased immune response, and increased inflammation.

Endocrine System:

• The endocrine system, particularly the adrenal glands, supports the body in responding to stress.
• Epinephrine and norepinephrine trigger the acute fight-or-flight response, while cortisol regulates the day-to-day response to stress and sympathetic nervous system activation.
• Cortisol helps the body function when tired, keeping it sharp and focused even when rest is needed.
• Cortisol raises blood sugar levels, increases blood pressure, and appetite, while decreasing relaxation and sleep.

Chronic Stress and its Consequences:

• Individuals experiencing chronic stress require continuously elevated levels of cortisol to cope with the ongoing demands on their body.
• Chronic stress leads to higher blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, weight gain, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, and increased blood pressure.
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep is common in those with high stress levels.
• Prolonged stress can lead to adrenal fatigue, characterized by low cortisol levels and chronic fatigue.
• Insufficient cortisol production by the adrenals can result in the shunting of other hormones like progesterone to make cortisol, further disrupting sex hormone balance in both men and women.

The Impact of Chronic Stress on the Body and Tips for Managing Stress:

Chronic stress can have far-reaching effects on the body, including chronic sleeplessness, hormone imbalance, mood disturbances, elevated blood sugar and lipids, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and depressed immune function. Maintaining a balanced response to stress is crucial for overall well-being.

If you suspect that stress is affecting your body, consider the following tips:

1. Work with a counselor to identify and address the causes of stress in your life, even those that may be hidden, and develop plans to reduce stress levels.
2. Learn how your individual body responds to stress and explore techniques to change your body's stress response. This can be achieved through working with a counselor, biofeedback practitioners, heart rate variability training, or Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping). Refer to the Vagus Nerve Handout for more information.
3. Consider testing your body's cortisol function. Saliva testing for cortisol is available through various labs, some of which don't require a doctor's order. By measuring cortisol levels at different times throughout the day, you can gain valuable insights into adrenal function and stress response.
4. Explore adaptogenic herbs that support the body's stress response, such as ashwagandha, astragalus, licorice (caution advised if you have high blood pressure), ginseng, rhodiola, and certain mushrooms. B vitamins also help balance the body's response to stress. Stress complex preparations can be found at reputable health food stores and online sources. Understanding your cortisol levels can assist in selecting the appropriate adaptogens, but general adaptogens are generally safe and effective for healing adrenals and managing stress.
5. Prioritize rest and relaxation. Take breaks, get enough quality sleep, and implement techniques outlined in the Vagus Nerve handout.
6. Regulate your food intake to avoid adding additional stress to your body. Limit fasting and ensure you're not excessively hungry.
7. Engage in regular physical activity that doesn't further stress your body.
8. Address any other imbalances, such as thyroid or sex hormone imbalances, as they can contribute to overall stress levels.
9. Consider adding a small amount of melatonin before bedtime. Melatonin helps regulate the entire endocrine system.

It's important to note that with proper rest, care, and time, the adrenal system can heal. Healing may take up to two years in some cases, but it is possible. Now that you're aware, you can embark on the journey of healing your adrenals and managing stress effectively.