Resolving Stress
Stress is accepted as a norm as many of us continually push our limits, despite warning signs of falling ill, suffering emotionally, mentally and spiritually and or potentially serious accidents happening. Stress should not be so prevalent in our lives. It’s a compromising state of being which can totally alter our life course and higher purpose here on earth.
There are moments of stress that are healthy. These moments are when challenges in life present and we rise to the occasion and meet those challenges with our attention and effort. Ideally this is to create desirable outcomes and make hurdles of growth. However, when stress becomes chronic it becomes the culprit of many ailments. It affects digestion, libido, fertility, mood, mental alertness, productivity and physical health.
Stress muddles digestion by stripping the stomach of its burning power. All we then need to do is snack when our stomach isn’t ready for food to cause putrefaction of eaten foods, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea. Impulsiveness and rushing further trigger addictions to develop and malnourishment as we crave to be fed but commonly opt for foods high in sugar and fat yet low or empty of nutrients, which harm the body in excess. We may also eat before bed and sleep on undigested food and scoff food in a hurried hunger rather than chew it properly. Sound familiar?
Stress hinders fertility and libido. It interferes with the hormones needed to produce sperm for men and regularly release eggs in menstrual cycles for women. The pudendal nerve in the bowl of the pelvis is responsible for sexual arousal, supplying sensation to the penis and clitoris via the dorsal nerves. In women, movement of her eggs from the fallopian tube to the uterus depends upon a her body being relaxed. The pudendal nerve contributes to the release of vaginal secretions during sex to decrease friction and aid in sperm ascending along the vagina. Stress blocks this function, preventing sexual pleasure and if desiring to get pregnant, restricts the path of sperm. In men, it can also mean premature ejaculation and impotence — inhibited erections, orgasm and ejaculation.
The autonomic nervous system of the body responds to its surrounding environment by sending signals to the brain so that the brain can act accordingly and instruct each of the body systems to perform to best adapt the body to its environment. The endocrine system responds to signals sent from the brain by pumping hormones into our bodies to regulate bodily functions. When the sympathetic nervous system (of the autonomic nervous system) remains activated for prolonged periods of time, which is what happens when under chronic stress, the persistent consequence is cortisol production from the endocrine system. Cortisol is a hormone released to prepare the body for extended duress. It inhibits production of serotonin, melatonin and dopamine, which are all required for mental equilibrium and happiness. Depression and anxiety are an easy follow on from here and then other psychopathies of major to minor degrees can ensue if hormonal balance is not restored for extended periods of time i.e. years. Cortisol in excess impedes restoration of the body and balanced organ functioning which results in weight gain, weakened muscles, mood fluctuations, increased blood pressure and easy bruising amongst other things.
The autonomic nervous system comprises of three branches, parasympathetic nervous system, sympathetic nervous system and enteric nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system, rest and digest mode, usually activates in a safe and supported environment, allowing the body and psyche to calm and restore. The enteric nervous system, lining the gastrointestinal tract helping the digestive and excretory systems, needs the soothing signals of the parasympathetic nervous to function properly. Both are interrupted when the sympathetic nervous system, fight, flight or freeze mode, activates.
I hope this creates a clear concept of how the body works and why stress can affect it so detrimentally. If it does not I always welcome feedback so that I can better explain myself and benefit you with this knowledge. In short, stress needs to be managed for overall longevity, health, enjoyment and appreciation of life.
Resolve Your Stress By…
Using mindfulness and somatic awareness to counter the automatic reactions of the sympathetic nervous system. Find your calm and inner peace even amidst the storms
Seek help from others in different aspects ensuring healthy exchanges, i.e. see a psychologist, a masseuse, an acupuncturist, a private practitioner who specialises in soothing the body
Meal times being still, a time of slowing down, connecting with what we’re eating and making sure it is eaten properly. How many things are you doing besides eating when you’re eating? Can you stop and just focus upon eating until you’re done then resume your other activities?
Sexual expression can be slowed down and made restorative, sensual, soothing, connected and considerate of the other as the subject of desire. Exploring introspectively the energy of desire itself rising within the body before expressing it outwards
Exercise needs to have a restorative component such as warming down, stretching, laying on the ground or directly to earth. Yoga, Yin and restorative yoga are brilliant ways to preserve and rejuvenate the body’s natural harmony and energy reserves
Breath work such as abdominal breath, alternate nostril breathing, breath of fire and breath retentions all develop greater awareness of the lungs and the lung capacity which is a fundamental part of controlling stress levels as well. The vagus nerve (of the parasympathetic nervous system) passes through the diaphragm beneath the lungs and innervates the organs
