Today with the unstable economy worldwide and super high levels of debt, banks and stock markets crashing, stress is increasing at an alarming rate. For the purpose of this article I will be concentrating on negative stress. Which means: When a person finds oneself in a stress situation, the body reacts with a "fight-or-flight" response, releasing adrenaline combined with the stress hormone cortisol. This results in a fast reaction in an emergency (positive reaction), but if this condition persists for too long, these chemicals become harmful to the system and wreak physical havoc to the health (negative reaction) - everything from a compromised immune system, to blood sugar fluctuations to heart problems, depression, concentration problems to insomnia could result.
Causes of stress
The causes of stress are highly individual. Your personality, ability to solve and defuse problems, support systems etc. will determine if a situation is stressful to you or not.
A severe life crisis like death, major health problem, divorce, marriage or separation, loss of job etc. drives people into debt. Debt is one of today’s most prevalent causes for stress. Dept can also be caused by bad judgement, a to high standard of living or large low income working families struggling to survive with ever rising costs of living.
To test your stress levels complete the following assessment:
A TEST TO DETERMINE YOUR STRESS LEVELS
Read the following list of stress causes; write down all that have effected you in the last 2 years add them up and compare your score to the rating below:
The Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe Test
*Marital / live with spouse dying.........…………….........100
*Divorce / permanent separation form spouse..................73
*Marital / spouse separation……………………............65
*Incarceration term……………………………….........63
*Death of immediate family member……………............63
*Personal severe injury or illness………………….........53
*Planning and getting Married…………………….........50
*Retention, getting laid off / fired from job………...........47
*Marital / spouse reconciliation…………………...........45
*Retirement (planned)....…………………………........45
*Major change in health of a family member……….......44
(inc. unplanned pregnancy)
*Pregnancy (planned)…….. …………………….........40
*Sexually related problems………………………........39
*Gain of new family member .........................................39
(birth, adoption, step family (child, sibling, parent)
*Business readjustments…………….. .........................39
(promotion, demotion, new department etc.)
*Change in financial state …………………….............38
(dept stress, salary cut, salary rise)
*Death of close friend ………………………..............37
(inc. class friends, extended family)
*Complete change to a different line of work………….36
*Change in number of arguments with spouse ………...35
(negative or positive)
*Taking out a mortgage / or large financial loan………..31
*Foreclosure of mortgage or loan…………………......31
*Change in responsibilities at work …...........................29
(promotion, demotion, change department)
*Dependent leaving home…………………………….29
*Bad relationships with in-laws……………………….29
*Outstanding personal achievement ………………….28
(academic, sport, work etc.)
*Spouse starts or stops a career / working…………...26
*Beginning or ending education ……………………...26
(School, College, University)
*Change in living conditions ………............................25
(dropping living standards, changing location)
*Changed personal habits ………………………......24
(diet, smoking, drugs, behaviour)
*Stressful situation with boss………………………...23
*Change in working hours or conditions……………..20
*Packing and moving house……….………………...20
*Changing School, College, University ……………...20
*Change in leisure pursuits ………………………….19
(fitness, recreation, etc.)
*Change in church activities……………….................19
(joining or leaving a church)
*Change in social activities..........................................18
(friendships, social groups, daytime, evening activities)
*Low to medium mortgage, loan, financial strain……...17
*Altered sleeping habits ………………......................16
(change of work times, insomnia, health)
*Change in number of family functions………………..15
*Change in eating habits ……………………………..15
(new diet, diabetes, allergies)
*Going on holiday …………………………...............13
(planning, preparation, leaving home)
*Approaching public holidays …12
(Christmas, Easter, New Year, Eid, Yom Kippur)
*Minor violations of the law ……………………........11
(traffic, noise, peace disturbances)
This stress test was compiled by two stress experts who were involved with the
To score yourself:
50 and below – stress levels low with a low chance of health risk. Manageable
50 – 100 - stress levels are still low with a low chance of health risk, but: Manage your stress
100 – 150 - stress levels are still manageable, with a low chance of health risk, but: Manage your stress now!
150 – 200 - you have a 50% chance of a health change in the following 2 years. Danger, do something!
200 – 300 - you have a 50% to 80% chance of a health breakdown. You are in real trouble
above 300 - you have a 80% and higher chance of a stress crisis. Something is going to give!
Adapted from Holmes Thomas and Rahe Richard. Homes-Rahe Social Readjustment rating scale, Journal of Psychosomatic Research Vol. 11, 1967
Effects of Stress
When stress is persistent, the body experiences stress with an extra burden due to the side effects of the persistently high stress hormones. Some irreversible brain and organ damage could be caused by these substances. Symptoms of chronic stress are:
- Chronic head ache (migraines, muscle tension, lower back pain, and stiffness)
- Mood swings (moodiness, depression, easily upset, short temper, irritability, impatience, overreacting to problems)
- Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing, eye twitching)
- Anxiety (severe anxiety, negative attitude, anxious or racing thoughts, fearful anticipation)
- Substance abuse (using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax, overdoing activities e.g. exercising, shopping)
- Memory disturbances (trouble or inability to concentrate, indecisiveness, poor judgement, inability to study)
- Depression (general unhappiness, feeling overwhelmed, sense of loneliness and isolation, procrastination)
- Agitation (restlessness, feeling tense and edgy)
- Behavioural problems (isolating yourself from others)
- Increased blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol
- Weight loss (or gain, Thymus gland malfunctioning, blood sugar fluctuations)
- Allergies (including asthma)
- Bowel and digestive tract problems (diarrhoea or constipation, nausea, Irritable bowl)
- Decreased sexual drive (loss of sex drive, decreased levels of testosterone)
- Sleeping disorders (sleeplessness, sleeping too much or too little, teeth grinding or jaw clenching)
- Skin breakouts (hives, eczema)
- Frequent colds
If you’re experiencing any of the warning symptoms of stress, it’s important to see a doctor for a full evaluation. Once your doctor has determined whether or not your symptoms are stress-related, consider Herbs and Vitamin B as an alternative aid to stress relief.
Herbal stress treatment:
Herbs are used as single herb product or a combination product in the stress management therapy with little or no side effects.
Please take note: In the case of pregnancy always consult your doctor before using any medication, even herbs.
Herbs can be taken in the following ways. Prepared in tablet or liquid form, commercial Herbal teas for specific outcomes from health shops and Supermarkets, Freshly made into an infusion (tea) to be drunk hot or cold.
I must add here that Vitamin B complex is as important to take as part of the treatment, as it combines with Herbs (folic acid) to reduce stress. The following different herbs have medicinal values in the treatment of stress.
Kava Kava
The herb was initially served in drinks while welcoming dignitaries to the Polynesian and Indonesian islands.
Kava gives a sense of well being as the herb contains lactones what help in relaxation. Kava has the unique feature that it does not affect memory and mental alertness. Kava is used to relieve stress, relax muscles and induces peaceful sleep.
Valerian
Valerian is said to be the oldest of all herbal stress relievers. It is akin to the drug 'Diazepam' which is used to calm down patients, it offers a non-addictive alternative to synthetic tranquilizers. Valerian relaxes the nervous system, tense muscles, relieves spasms and migraine and induces deep sleep. The main current use of valerian is as a mood-stabilizing drug.
It reduces anxiety and stress and induces a deep sleep.
Skullcap
Blue Skullcap (S lateriflora) and Common Skullcap (S. galericulata) are powerful medicinal herbs, they are used as alternative medicines as antispasmodic, often in combination with other herbs, as a mood stabilizer during a period of high stress. Ongoing scientific studies are proving this to be a versatile plant in many areas for mental disorders. It is used in the treatment of epilepsy, insomnia, hysteria, anxiety, delirium, withdrawal from barbiturates and tranquilisers. Skullcap is currently being used as an alternative medicine to treat ADD, without any unpleasant symptoms following.
Hops
Hops, is a tranquilizer. It pacifies a stressed mind. It value is in the treatment of sleeplessness and irritability.
Catnip
Catnip acts on the nervous system as well as the digestive systems. It calms down an anxious person and is effective in relieving the symptoms of peptic ulcer and irritable bowel syndrome which are associated with stress.
Chamomile
It boosts the immunity which is negatively affected during stress and thus prevents infection. It also acts as a tranquilizer with calming properties. Taken internally, the infusion's effects include calming of the digestive tract, and easing of the spasms of irritable bowel syndrome, night cramps. It's a relaxant and sedative, so it is often taken against insomnia or anxiety.
Ginseng
Choose products specifically containing the root of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng). Commonly used as anti-stress and anti-fatigue, for stimulating the nervous system and similar effects.
Ginseng could be combined with other herbs with adrenal enhancing activity in the treatment of adrenal atrophy (exhaustion).
It is used for men over the age of 40, especially those experiencing stress, tension, exhaustion, fatigue.
Lemon balm
Lemon balm is often combined with other calming, soothing herbs, such as valerian, chamomile, and hops, to enhance the overall relaxing effect. It contains eugenol, which calms muscle spasms, numbs tissues, and kills bacteria. Lemon Balm is also used medicinally as an herbal tea, for its mild sedative or calming effect.
Vervain (Verbena officinalis)
Vervain is known to have an effect on the nervous system. It enhances the digestive process, treats insomnia, nervousness, anxiety. The infusion is also useful to enhance the liver function and also treat poor appetite and sluggish digestive performance.
Sources of Vitamin B
The B-vitamins are often called the "stress" vitamins. When our bodies are forced to withstand the demands of physical or emotional stress, the B-vitamins are the first to be depleted vitamins are generally best taken in balanced complement such as Vitamin B Complex, are not stored in the body, this means that they are needed on a daily basis in order for the body to maintain healthy levels.
For more information and a wider opinion on how to manage your stress please visit my website at: http://www.hester-lynne.com/alternative/
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