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Stress BustersTry one of our combinations of treatments for 90 minutes of stress busting heaven. Stress’ is one of those interesting words that everyone thinks they know the meaning of but few can, or take the trouble to, define. One definition is that it is ‘Forces from the outside world that impinge on the individual’. These can be a normal part of life that help us learn and grow or which can cause significant problems. A certain amount of stress is good for us and can, for example, help us face up to and overcome challenges or can prevent boredom and add ‘spice’ to life. Too much stress, however, starts to have an adverse effect of health and well being. Another interesting definition is that stress is ‘the gap between how we would like our life to be and how it actually is’. If this gap is persistent or, even worse, is growing despite our efforts to reduce it then our distress is acute and can lead to illness, anxiety, anger and depression. Perhaps more common definitions view stress as a ‘frustrated flight or fight response’. This response is a basic human survival mechanism left over from our primordial roots when we could best respond to perceived dangers by either fighting or fleeing. The fear felt when facing danger sets up rapid chemical changes in the body which prepare us for ‘fight or flight’ and some situations in everyday life trigger the same response which may not always be appropriate in a modern civilised society and which can lead to ‘stress’. The chemical changes associated with the ‘flight or fight’ response are numerous and each has a specific purpose designed to enable the individual to escape from or overcome the danger. · There is an increase in muscle tension to prepare the body for action. · Heart rate and blood pressure rise to meet the demand for increased blood in the lungs and muscles. · The respiratory rate rises to increase the body’s oxygen supply. · Blood supply to the skin and abdominal organs is reduced to divert blood to the heart, lungs and muscles where it is most needed. · The digestive processes are slowed or stopped, again to help divert blood to the heart, lungs and muscles. · The mouth and throat become dry to reduce natural secretions to the digestive tract at a time when digestive processes are slowed or stopped. · The liver produces extra glucose to help provide extra energy and fuel for the muscles. · The pupils of the eye dilate to facilitate more acute vision. · The hormone ‘cortisol’ is released into the bloodstream. This increases blood pressure and blood sugar levels but prolonged production can suppress the immune system and can cause infertility in women. · The viscosity of the blood increases helping to prevent excessive bleeding from wounds. However, in the long term, it can increase the risk of heart attack or embolism. The effects of Stress The possible long term effects of stress are various. As seen above, production of the chemicals associated with ‘fight or flight’ for prolonged periods can lead to the increased risk of heart attacks, embolism, high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels with the associated risk of diabetes, infertility in women and a suppressed immune system leaving one open to more infections. Also, stress can cause: · Headaches · Dizziness · Faintness · Sleep Disturbance · Tension, especially displayed as aching shoulder and neck muscles · Difficulty in swallowing Often the symptoms or conditions above can be interpreted by the individual as ‘general malaise’ and this can lead to further anxiety or stress causing a vicious circle. Stress Management Days Charles Scott combines his therapy training with over twenty years in business management to offer stress management days for small groups either at his premises or other suitable venues. Stress is a major cause of high staff turnover and absenteeism from the workplace yet very few employers have any stress management programme in place. Factors such as change, internal politics and increasing workloads intensify the problem. Stress Management days merge business related topics such as Time Management, Delegation, Communication and Goal Setting with a range of relaxation techniques. Days are designed to be inter-active, enjoyable and, of course, relaxing.
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