I need help

It affects people in so many different ways and so are the reasons; ill health, work, relationships, financial, moving house, divorce, weddings to note but a few.

What happens?

We produce a number of hormones when our body detects stress, the hypothalamus produces increases the amount of hormones which include cortisol and adrenaline.  These are our natural response to stress or threat called ‘fight or flight’.

A little can be good; it gets us up in the morning and on time for work or school but too much over a long period is not good.

How does it affect us?

The effects can be wide ranging; anger and frustration, overthinking, insomnia, panic attacks, headaches/migraines, worry, digestive problems, reduced immunity, depression, high blood pressure and fatigue affecting not just our emotional but our physical well-being too.

So what can you do?

• Identify the underlying reason/s for stress and make changes, if there’s a number of reasons tackle one at a time then feels you haven’t got a mountain to climb.
• Identify and avoid stressful situations if possible.
• Make time for relaxation, do whatever makes you feel calm or happy, for instance a country walk.
• Exercise is a really good way to reduce stress, producing mood enhancing chemicals such as endorphins.
• Try and get enough rest and sleep allowing your body time to recover from stressful periods.
• Acupuncture (see below)

Acupuncture can be effective in relieving the symptoms of stress and by identifying the root cause.  We use it to balance the body, increase blood flow throughout the body relaxing muscles and calming the mind.

Another way to look at it is that it stimulates the nervous system which in turn releases biochemicals which influence the body’s homeostatic mechanisms thereby promoting physical and emotional well-being.    (Homostasis is a term used for when the body functions are stable)