Even in the beautiful Willamette Valley, we are not immune from on-the-job stress. Sometimes its a good thing, just as so many students use that last minute panic to cram for finals, write a paper, or amp up for an interview. But too much stress can be terrible for us, increasing our risk of cancer, heart disease, substance abuse, and obesity.
What is stress? According to the ACA:
Stress is a physical and mental response to the difference between our expectations and our personal experience, real or imaginary. While reacting to stress, the body goes through alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. Released hormone epinephrine, or adrenaline, prepares the body for physical action (“fight or flight”) by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels. Then, the body releases glucocorticoid cortisol, or hydrocortisone, producing anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressing effects.
This is very helpful under certain circumstances, but excessive stress levels and the resultant hormones can hinder growth, delay wound healing, and increase the risk of infections. All this anxiety often leads to depression and a feeling of hopelessness.
We all experience stress in our own way, based on our values, insecurities, and life circumstances. Men and women tend to be more stressed by different aspects of their lives: Work or legal problems tend to create greater anxiety and depression for men, and for women its more often household problems, interpersonal conflicts, or the illness of a friend or loved one. But no matter who you are, we all must learn to take steps to reduce stress in our lives and recognize if or when we need the help of a friend, loved one, or trusted medical professional.
The American Chiropractic Association provides some additional strategies and techniques for reducing and managing stress: HealthyLiving_StressRelief
Absolute Wellness Center in Eugene, OR provides sports medicine, chiropractic medicine, naturopathic medicine, physical rehabilitation, acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and more. Those of you looking to relieve some on-the-job stress might especially be interested to learn that therapeutic massage and acupuncture are covered by many insurance plans today. If you would like to learn more, please call us at 541-484-5777.