Can Stress Be a Killer? The SeniorScape®
Can Stress Be a Killer? The short answer is Yes. But it doesn’t have to be.
However, understanding the factors that lead to stress on the body and ultimately negatively impact your wellbeing, can help you find ways to respond to stressful situations that lessen or mitigate the impact.
We all experience challenges that cause us stress. It is part of the human experience. They are common to each one of us at one time or another.
Can you relate to any of them?
You are a member of what is commonly referred to as the Sandwich Generation; literally sandwiched between job, family responsibilities and caring for an older parent or loved one. It can feel like you are squeezed from all sides.. Statistics indicate that 70% of the Sandwich Generation is now between the ages of 40-59. Prime work years.
You are a Caregiver experiencing burnout.
Life circumstances that cause Stress: Financial Challenges, Divorce, Loss of a Loved One
Changes in Living Situations: Selling a House and/or Moving. Evidence suggests that selling a house or Moving is tremendously stressful and, in some cases, the loss is akin to the Kubler-Ross stages of Grief which can lead to depression.
Work and Health Challenges are obvious stressors.However, it’s likely that people think of stress as only related to negative circumstances associated as stated above.
However, what we think of as positive situations can also be stressful and occur at any age or stage of life.The impact on the body is the same.
· The college decision and application process
· Starting a New Job
· Wedding planning
· Buying a Home
· Planning a major event such as a Baby Shower, etc.
· Car Purchase
· Changing Careers
· Moving to a New City
Oxidative Stress and Inflammations cause Stress Responses which are the Underlying Causes of many conditions and diseases.
Looking at Oxidative Stress and Inflammation; Oxidants damage the body and oxidative stress drives inflammation..
Some of the consequences of Oxidative Stress include:
Brain Fog/Poor Memory
Muscle and/or Joint Pain,
Weakness
Early aging – Wrinkles, gray hair
GI complaints
Reduced Vision
Headaches
Anxiety, Depression
Environmental and Lifestyle Habits that cause our bodies to experience oxidative stress include:
Excess calories | obesityHigh fat, sugar diets
Tobacco & alcohol
Medications
Pesticides & heavy metals
Infections – bacteria | viruses | yeast
Pollution
Radiation & excess UV exposure
Emotional stress
The causative factors leading to Inflammation:
Diet – deficiencies/sensitivities
Obesity
Gut dysfunction
Hormone imbalances
Exercise – too little OR too much
Injury
Toxins | tobacco/a;cohol
Infection | viruses
Stress
inadequate sleep
What are some of the health consequences of Oxidative Stress?
Neurodegenerative diseases
Cancer
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Heart & blood vessel disorders
Inflammatory diseases
Additional health consequences of Low-Grade Inflammation:
Heart disease
Stroke
Cancer
Respiratory disease | Asthma
Alzheimer’s Disease
Diabetes
Autoimmune diseases
Arthritis + pain
We all likely experience signs of Acute Inflammation at one time or another. They include:
Pain
Redness
Loss of Mobility,
Loss of Function
Swelling
Heat
Chronic inflammation is long-lasting, from months to years. It is the result of repeated inflammatory body‘hits’ which as are an inflammatory response in the absence of an actual stimulus or trigger.This can result from
· Unresolved infections,
· Physical or chemical agents that can’t be broken down in the body,
· Fatigue,
· Skin rashes
· Muscle/joint aches & pains
· Midsection weight gain
· GI issues,
· Chronic mucus production
· Genetic susceptibility
If you are struggling to mitigate stressful experiences with real or potential concomitant health consequences in any of the above areas, feel free to book a free consultation here: https://calendly.com/phyllis-31/laying-the-groundwork-2
Originally Published on https://www.phyllisaymanassociates.com/
Already a Member? Login Here.
Not Yet a Member? Join the Conversation Today!