Condition Spotlight
Current estimates show that between 70% and 80% of all visits to physicians are for stress-related disorders. Chronic stress directly affects the immune system and, if not effectively dealt with, can seriously compromise health. Alternative medicine offers many beneficial strategies for reducing stress and its effects, including acupuncture, biofeedback, meditation, guided imagery, and lifestyle counseling, as well as diet and nutritional programs, herbs, and exercise.
Although a certain amount of stress is a normal part of our lives, prolonged bouts of stress can lead to exhaustion and illness, along with more serious health problems.
Scientific research has helped to bring mindfulness and meditation into mainstream culture, medicine, and psychology. Your doctor can officially prescribe ‘meditation’ as a treatment for depression or stress because it is now regarded as evidence-based. Read More
These days, it is becoming more difficult to find a great work-life balance. Work and home have slowly fused over the last 2 years, turning our bedrooms into boardrooms. Zoom meetings from home, work email Read More
Research suggests chronic stress is a significant factor in many physical, mental, and emotional problems. So, while we all get overwhelmed from time to time, letting stress go unchecked could have dire consequences. Read on Read More
Unfortunately for most of us, stress is a part of life. While some people may need medication, therapy, and so on to manage stress and anxiety, some of us want to take the natural route Read More
Chronic stress often leads to progressively more severe forms of physical, mental, and emotional illness. It can also damage brain structure and connectivity. Stress, whether manifesting as emotions such as anger, fear, or shock or Read More
(Family Features) Between work, family obligations and a constantly changing world, people in the United States are stressed. In fact, U.S. workers are among the most stressed in the world, according to a State of Read More
If you’re feeling the holiday blues, what you’re eating could be contributing to your low mood. “The holiday blues aren’t just caused by the guilt of eating all those extra calories. That fruitcake that tasted Read More
Eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is associated with less stress, according to new research from Edith Cowan University (ECU). The study examined the link between fruit and vegetable intake and stress levels Read More
People who are feeling younger have a greater sense of well-being, better cognitive functioning, less inflammation, lower risk of hospitalization and even live longer than their older-feeling peers. A study published by the American Psychological Read More
Stress can be defined as a reaction to any stimulus or challenge that upsets normal function and disturbs mental or physical health. It can be brought on by internal conditions such as illness, pain, or emotional conflict, or by external circumstances such as a death in the family or financial problems. Even a positive experience—a new marriage, a job promotion, or financial gain—can be a stress-provoking event.
It can also be caused by allergic reactions, poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, substance abuse, or biochemical imbalances in the body. These internal imbalances are a major contributing factor to stress. They help to set up a cycle in which a stressor causes a biochemical imbalance in the body; this, in turn, depletes the immune system, causing illness, which creates more stress for the person, and the cycle continues.
Although a certain amount of stress is a normal part of our lives, prolonged bouts of it can lead to exhaustion and illness, along with more serious health problems. Up to 80% of the health problems in America today are considered stress-related. Repeated incidences can interfere with digestion, alter brain chemistry, increase heart rate and blood pressure, and affect metabolic and immune functioning.
Depressed immune function can be associated with many stress-inducing experiences and conditions, including bereavement, divorce, job loss, school or professional examinations, depression, loneliness, and sleep deprivation. Stress is a pervasive problem among Americans, according to a poll of corporate executives. For example, 44% of employees polled said their work load is excessive and 43% are bothered by excessive job pressure; and 55% worry considerably about their company’s future; 25% of both men and women feel stressed out at work every day, another 12% feel it almost every day, and another 38% feel it once to several days a week
