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Google the word “Stress” and you
will find hundreds of articles from doctors, specialists, Institutions
and Organizations are espousing the need for stress management or
reduction in order to achieve and maintain wellness, vitality and
quality of life.
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Stress, has reached epidemic
proportions in our culture. According to The American Medical
Association, “Stress is the underlying cause of
nearly all disease.” |
This is because there are many stress factors aside from
the usual suspects, money, relationships, and work. Many are not aware that chemicals, heavy metals, prescription
drugs, viruses, bacteria, and allergies all attribute to stress, in
addition to dehydration, poor life style choices, nutritional
deficiencies, genetically altered foods, fast food, pain, migraine
headaches, electro magnetic frequencies (microwaves, cordless phones,
computers, and flat screen TVs) and more.
Stress affects women and men
differently and is possibly more dangerous for men, as suggested by a
numbering of theories. Studies suggest this may be attributed to the
fact that most men do not multi-task to the extent that women do, that
men do not share and express their feelings, and that men ignore their
body’s signals and common stress symptoms.
Common stress
symptoms include increased heart rate, rise on blood pressure,
tightness in chest, dryness in throat and mouth, indigestion, nausea,
loss of appetite, insomnia, irritability, depression, forgetfulness,
poor concentration, reduced productivity, inattention to detail,
accelerated aging and loss of sex drive.
Stress is wide spread and impossible
to avoid. Not all stress, however is bad. Minor instances of stress
keep us engaged and challenged. It also makes life more interesting and
helps us achieve our goals. Once
the crisis passes, the body usually returns to normal.
However, when stress becomes the norm, one or multiple body’s
systems may become impaired to the point of debilitation, such as high
blood pressure, heart disease, infertility, impotence and more.
| Let’s explore three key areas,
often associated to men’s health and wellness, in which the body’s
systems react when faced with physical or psychological stress. |
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1). Nervous System: When stressed the
body suddenly shifts its energy resources to fighting to fighting off
the perceived threat, in what is known as the fight or flight response.
The sympathetic nervous system signals the adrenals glands to release
adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones make the heart beat faster,
raise blood pressure, change the digestive process, and boost glucose
levels in the bloodstream.
2). Cardiovascular System. Acute
stress-stress that is momentary, such as being stuck in traffic-causes
an increase in heart rate and stronger contractions of the heart. Blood
vessels that direct blood to the large muscles and to the heart dilate,
increasing the amount of blood pumped into these parts of the body.
Repeated episodes of acute stress may cause acute inflammation in the
coronary arties, thought to lead to heart attacks.
3). Reproductive System. In men,
excess amounts of cortisol, produced under stress, can affect the
normal functioning of the reproductive system. Chronic stress can
impair testosterone and sperm production and cause impotence.
For optimum health and wellness, it
is important to manage stress. There are many easy and fun ways to
manage stress:
-Maintain a low-fat diet. Increase whole grains and fresh fruits
and vegetables.
-Exercise regularly, 20 minutes or more a week.
-Limit or eliminate alcohol, caffeine consumption, and sugar
consumption.
-Eliminate consumption of recreational drugs.
-Increase water intake.
-Get plenty of sleep.
-Turn off the TV and tune into good books or music.
-Spend more time outdoors.
-Play with the dog, or get one.
-Pray, stay positive and practice gratitude.
When a person’s health has been
compromised by the effects of stress, often time’s individuals may
require Stress Reduction Intervention.
Numerous stress reduction modalities are effective at helping to
temporarily reduce stress; such as yoga, Thai Chi and Acupuncture. Quantum Biofeedback Stress
Reduction is stress reduction practice that is gaining
popularity. The reason may be is that QBSR modality uses the assistance
of a sophisticated computer biofeedback device plus it also it works to
reduce physical, emotional, mentally and spiritual stress on a deeper unconscious level, often times for longer lasting relief.*
The Quantum Biofeedback Stress
Reduction device contains 100’s of built in holistic programs. The
Stress Reduction Practitioner uses the device to help their clients
reduce their stress associated with digestion, increased heart rate,
high blood pressure, infertility, erectile dysfunction, weight gain,
insomnia, depression, pain and more. The Stress Reduction Practitioner
may also choose to incorporate verbal stress reduction commands and
wellness education when working with their clients.
Quantum Biofeedback Stress
Reduction may benefit the health and wellness of men because it works
on a conscious (verbal) level but also on an unconscious (non-verbal)
level. Perhaps the reason that mean do not express their feelings of
stress or ignore the symptoms of stress, as some studies would suggest,
because men may be unaware
that they are experiencing “stress.”
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