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There are times when physical stress is helpful. For example, an adrenaline rush benefits you when you’re about to make a big presentation at work, take a big test or handle a sensitive situation. However, when stress becomes a frequent occurrence or a pattern that interferes with your ability to rest and relax, it’s the opposite of helpful. It’s detrimental to your health and can cause physical complications.
Stress manifests itself in your body through muscle tension. There is a reason for the saying “pain in the neck.” When your body clenches the muscles in your neck and shoulders from stress, it causes pain. Stress can also cause pain in your chest and stomach. Your body responds to the condition of your mind. If your mind is agitated or stressed, your body reacts. Your bodily systems become become weak and do not work properly. This is especially true if you have an injury, joint inflammation or some other physical issue. When you experience stress, injuries become more pronounced because the weakest part of your body is under stress.
Breathing and sleeping
Physical stress also affects breathing. You breathe faster than normal when you feel tension, and your heart rate accelerates when you are nervous about a situation. This causes the sensation of your heart pounding. Another common side effect of stress is not being able to fall asleep or stay asleep all night. You may experience dreams and racing thoughts, because your mind can’t relax.
Everyone experiences periods of stress, but prolonged and unattended stress can lead to severe illnesses and complications. Prolonged physical stress is believed to contribute to cancer, heart attacks, paralysis and nervous breakdowns, among other things.
Here are some ways for you to alleviate the physical symptoms of stress, before they turn serious.
- Assess your personal habits. If they are contributing to your physical stress, change them. This is an age-old solution that will better every aspect of your life.
- Eat healthy and nutritious food.
- Exercise regularly to strengthen your body.
- Sleep. It’s vital for a healthy mind and body. Resting your body is an excellent way to start building healthy habits.
In addition to these four ideas, recharge your life. Take a break and explore. Find activities that allow you to enjoy fresh air and sunshine. Spend time with friends and family.
- Take a walk or play with your pet at the park.
- Go see the latest comedy movie.
- Get a massage or treat yourself to the spa.
- Get your body adjusted through routine chiropractic visits.
Seek medical attention if necessary.
A chronic, stressful situation can exacerbate physical conditions. Getting a check up and consulting with your doctor is a proactive way to deal with physical stress before it advances. Your physician will help you identify the extent of the condition and prescribe a treatment or therapy that will assist you in solving the problem, physically and mentally.
You do not have to live with chronic headaches, neck cramps, and back muscle spasms, which all have an underlying common cause: stress. If you suffer from chronic pain, you know that stress can make your condition worse. However, you may not have figured out that stress is the underlying culprit in all pain! Nerves become inflamed and send distress messages to the brain. The brain initiates a “stress response.” Until that stress settles down, your brain continues to send messages to the adrenal glands to produce cortisol and other stress hormones. This process keeps your body inflamed and in pain!
Chiropractic adjustments are an excellent way to ensure your body is aligned and functioning properly. Chiropractic visits have been known to alleviate stress, which is often the underlying cause of pain. Take steps now to handle stressful situations, and you will have a better quality of life moving forward. Contact us today; we are here to help you!
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