Get fit and fight stress

Stress occurs as a bodily reaction to difficult situations. It can be used to refer to the external circumstances that place strain on an individual or the internal changes that are triggered. Stress can occur due to daily frustrations such as traffic or arriving late at a meeting.

It can also occur as a result of life changing problems such as loss of a family member or sickness. Studies have shown that many of the diseases that occur are actually associated with stress. Stress can compromise the immune system and make the individual vulnerable to infections and illnesses.

It can also lead to recurring and chronic diseases. Adrenaline has a stimulating effect on the immune system and it is adrenaline that is produced in times of stress. In the short term, stress may quicken healing, but if high levels of stress continue for long periods of time, the production of stress related hormones may have the opposite effect. This causes the immune system to slow down and makes one susceptible to various health problems. Stress can occur due to life changes that may be good or bad. Some of the other causes of stress include inadequate sleep, excess work, illness, problematic personal relationships and worry about the future.

Stress can have a huge impact on a person’s health and life. It can lead to physical symptoms such as elevated blood pressure or hypertension, gastritis, heartburn, stomach ulcers, tiredness and muscle aches. Some individuals also experience asthma, allergic reactions, difficulty in concentrating, indecisiveness and impotence. Studies show that stress can also lead to increased cholesterol levels and other cardiac problems. When stress responses occur too frequently, they increase the quantities of low density lipoproteins which constitute “bad” cholesterol. The body is also not able to clear out these fats efficiently. Accumulation of fats increases the risk of arteriosclerosis and other heart conditions. Obesity is another outcome of stress as people tend to overeat to alleviate feelings of anxiety and stress. When stress arises due to physical demands on the body, the muscles of the heart may weaken. Individuals who experience severe and persistent stress may resort to unhealthy and even dangerous habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption and drug abuse. Eating disorders are another manifestation of stress wherein an individual either overeats or starves in order to ease feelings of insecurity and depression.

Stress is a part of life and there is not much we can do to avoid it. However there is a lot one can do to manage stress effectively. One of the best ways to alleviate stress is to perform regular exercise. This does not mean that you spend long hours exerting your body in the gym. Light exercise such as yoga or sports such as tennis and badminton are great ways to unwind and let off some steam. Exercise brings about a sense of well being and fitness which goes a long way in reducing stress. A healthy diet is also important to keep the body fit during times of stress. A good intake of vitamin C will help to boost immunity. Deep breathing is another effective way to manage stress. It can be done anywhere and anytime. One method of deep breathing is alternative nostril breathing wherein you close one nostril with the thumb and inhale through the other one. Then repeat with the other nostril. It is often said that laughter is the best medicine. Laughter triggers the release of chemicals that reduce stress and also increases blood flow. Go for a funny movie, read a joke book or even join a laughter club to reduce those stress levels.