Nothing But Stress

Remember that project I mentioned last week?  Still working on it.  So once again, I'm sorry for the late post. 

Between this project, midterms, the ever-present social drama, and bad weather I'm finding myself in a lot of stress. 

Did you know that stress is made up of external or internal factors and that your body simply responds to it?  Well it does. 

When your feeling stressed you trigger the locus coeruleus (a small part of your brain next to the brain stem).  That triggers the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). 

The SNS releases epinephrine and norepinephrine.  Which are stimulants.

Everyone reacts a little differently to the stimulants.  But some symptoms that is very common is an increased blood pressure.  Basically your body is getting into "Fight or Flight Mode".  Short amounts of exposure to stress isn't bad.  In fact, it can be quite healthy.  However, long exposures to stress is bed for your body; especially for the heart.

So... 

Some good things you can do for stress include:

1.    A 20-30 minute meditation session
• According to www.medicinenet.com (note: link doesn't work) "A one or two 20-30 minute meditation sessions a day can have lasting beneficial effects on health."  Some adaptions I think would work include: taking a nap, having some quiet time, or writing in a journal.
2.  Yoga
• Yoga uses breathing exercises, meditation, and light exercise. Because of this it's considered one of the best stress relievers.  Plus if you continue to do yoga your body can handle stress better.
3. Happy Music
• Music affects the way you feel.  So when your stressed and you listen to happy music with a positive beat, you're going to feel happier.  If it helps go ahead and dance to your music.
4. Breathing Exercises
• If your in a time crunch and don't have time to meditate or bend in half... just breath.  Breath slowly.  Become aware of your breathing.  It's actually a really cool activity.  When you just focus on your breathing, everything else just kind of fades away.
5. Laugh
• Go talk with friends.  Play games.  Laugh.  De-stress. 
6. Exercise
• Actually according to recent studies (that I read about on www.medicinenet.com ) exercise is one of the best... if not THE BEST thing you can do for stress.  Since your body is already in fight or flight mode, it's ready to go.  It's ready for action.  

Life is stressful.  There are always things that need to be done; things that demand our immediate attention.  But it's not healthy to life in a constant state of stress.  No matter who you are.  So, net time you're feeling really stressed try one of these out. 

Thanks for reading. :)