Our bodies work to protect us. If we become stressed our bodies assume that there is a physical danger.
In times when we were at risk being confronted by a wild animal this would have been exactly what we needed to help us survive. We would have to make a quick choice between fight and flight.
Our body would use all of its available energy to help us escape the danger and in doing so would stop many of the other bodily functions to conserve energy.
Stress stops the normal functioning of our body. Until our body calms down and resets itself our digestive processes, immune system, growth and reproductive processes are all inhibited.
So, in modern life we experience the same physical responses to excessive stress but most of the time this is out of proportion to the reality of the situation. This overreaction can really take its toll on our bodies.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a serious physical condition that is stress related. Stress has been shown to increase the mobility and sensation of the colon to a greater degree in IBS patients.
IBS results from a complex biologic interaction between the brain and gut. The condition is a heightened sensitivity of the bowel and this can be manifested in response to internal and external stressors. So recognising and understanding the stressors is an essential step towards physical recovery.
Low energy, headaches, aches and pains and tense muscles, chest pain and rapid heartbeat, insomnia, frequent colds and infections, excess sweating and a dry mouth are common physical symptoms of stress. Illness, lowered libido, heart problems are all warning signs.
Mindful living and meditation lowers our heart rate, slows our breathing and reduces our blood pressure. We learn to relax and this improves our well being. A revitalise day will help you to relax and will leave you equipped to step back from high alert.
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