Mental Health
Depression
Anxiety
Stress
Irritability
Stress
Stress is the body’s natural response to physical, emotional and psychological pressures, and its ability to handle stress is paramount to human survival. Significant contributors to stress include injury, illness, extreme fatigue, familial death, relationship ordeals, and work anxiety.
To counteract the effects of stress, the body has a complete set of stress modulation systems in place, with the adrenal glands operating as the primary control center. When these glands become dysfunctional, our body’s ability to handle stress reduces, and symptoms begin to arise.
Stress hormones slow the blood flow to certain organ systems such as the gastro intestinal and reproductive systems. When this happens, the body is unable to digest food properly and thus is incapable of utilizing food energy to get the nutrients that our body needs to perform day to day activities. As a result, the body doesn’t have the necessary building blocks to heal and our metabolism slows down; we begin to store fat—predominantly around the abdomen—and all of the systems in the body become depleted and imbalanced.
Over time, stress can increase blood sugar levels (leading to diabetes), and increase chances of acquiring infections such as herpes, yeast overgrowth, and viral infections. Furthermore, additional commonalities brought on by stress include high blood pressure, osteoporosis, muscle atrophying and the body’s inability to reduce weight. Serious results of prolonged stress may include infertility, uterine fibroids, and breast cancer.
Recovery from stress depends on a number of factors such as diet, lifestyle, sleep patterns, attitude and relaxation; it is essential for each individual to take responsibility for their health. Diet, in particular, is of primary focus as the digestion of proper nutrients contributes to the healing process and speeds recovery of stress. The all-too-common stress-related eating of fast food, foods high in sugar and salt content, caffeine and other stimulants play a negative role in the body’s attempt to eliminate stress. Consciously choosing a diet rich in vegetables and proteins will help you recover more quickly during and after stressful events.
The supplemental support of Chinese medicinals provides the body with the necessary nutrients which help strengthen digestion and calm nerves. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs play a vital role in helping to correct imbalances, opening the blood flow and correcting deficiencies within the body. Herbal remedies help to counteract mental fatigue, improve sleep, diminish lethargy and lessen irritability.
When the body is plentiful in the nutrients that it needs, energy, endurance and vitality will increase. Stress is a natural reaction in the body due to a variety of pressures inflicted by everyday life, but when it is prolonged it can deplete all of the systems in the body. When your body becomes overly depleted the stress response comes on more easily and the cycle begins again. By diligently taking the necessary precautions to avoid prolonged stress and its effects, the body is given the essential elements it needs to perform in eliminating stress from the system.