Stress and Health

jgnatca

I blogged this today.

It is a major and sustained effort to wrestle weight to the ground. What if life events and stress get in the way? Is a vital, healthy life possible when there are overwhelming demands?

Here's a life index change scale where you can see just how much stress you might be facing today.

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~eap/library/lifechangestresstest.pdf

Stress releases Cortisol, which when chronically elevated, puts all sorts of stress on the body including insulin suppression and high blood pressure. Cortisol might further compete with your efforts at weight loss.

The good news with the latest research however, is that stress is a killer only if we think so. If we can reframe a stressful situation as a "challenge", we can reduce or eliminate the effects of chronic stress.

https://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend

Having a supportive friend and an embracing community can further reduce the harmful effects of stress. Even touch can release Oxytocin the mother/comfort hormone, to counteract the effects of Cortisol.

It's a rare day now when life overwhelms. But I did resort to a breathing exercise recently when demands were coming down so hard and heavy, my mind refused to settle. This little breathing exercise did wonders.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wFX9Wn70eM

I suggest that when life hits you hard, to take the time every day (every moment if necessary) to assess what it is that you need most. Is it sleep? A shoulder to cry on? A warm blanket? Take care of that thing. When you are taken care of, you are better able to make good food choices.

jgnatca

No stress tonight?

wanderinglight

That grid is so interesting! I am at 289!! I know it has been a stressful few years but that is really a wakeup call.

jgnatca

Keep following the links. It is also critical to our health to approach stressful situations as positively as we can.

bodymindmusic

Thanks for this ! Add me!