This word is popping up all over the place. Recently I taught an afternoon online class in which I gave 3 topic choices. Stress won the vote. I also purchase a wonderful print newsletter, Sunshine Sharing, which I send to my clients and customers. Its topic? Stress. My most recent copy of Nature’s Field also has as its main topic – stress. My 13 year old even asked me what adrenaline is the other night (okay, so he didn’t ask about stress, but the two are definitely related).

Even when they aren’t talking about it, I can see stress in some of my friends’ eyes. Unfortunately, they can probably see it in mine, too. I hope the affects of stress are not rearing their ugly heads in your life, but in case they are, we’re going to tackle stress in this issue of Tools for Health.

So take a deep, cleansing breath, count to four, let it out slowly and …Enjoy!

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In This Issue

• Are You Stressed Out?
• Question and Answer – Stress and Crying
• Reminders about classes, online classes/chats, teleconference calls, etc.

NOTE: To receive the best results I recommend only high quality resources. Look for herbs, supplements, and other resources mentioned in Tools for Health at My NSP Natural Health Coach and Natural Health Coach for Women.

Are You Stressed Out?

Pretty much anyone who is actively involved in modern life would have to answer yes...at least to some degree. Even if we aren't facing serious issues, we often try to do it all and have it all (even on a small scale) whether it's with our business or our family situation, etc.

[Much of what follows is from an edited version of a recent online class on this topic. If you would like to join us in this or any other class, see below for times and URL’s.]

So what exactly is 'stress'?

Our bodies respond to external or internal stimulus. If it is something outside your comfort zone, it creates stress. In the words of one of our class members, “…what stresses one doesn’t stress another. It’s the way we deal with certain situations.” So what may be a simple speed bump to one person can be a whole mountain range to another. One person may thrive on public speaking and another get major stress from just thinking about it. One may love to do cold calls for their business; another may cringe at the thought. Even something like a family picnic can be one or the other depending on the person.

In any case, stress does cause real problems. You body does respond to the stimulus it gets.

Here's what happens....

Your adrenal glands respond to stress by secreting epinephrine (also called adrenaline - by the way, did you know adrenaline is a hormone?) The epinephrine starts the body’s defense mechanisms and promotes the “fight or flight” impulse. You may feel your heart start to pound, have elevated blood pressure, your pupils may dilate and your muscles become tense.

What are some of the things that cause you stress?

There are long term stressors, short term stressors; emotional, mental and physical stressors. One of my online classes is currently on the topic of stress. Here are a few responses from the class to the question, “What causes you stress?”…

• Money
• Family issues
• Work/family balance
• Life in general sometimes does
• Stubborn family members
• [People] you thought you could trust but found out later that you can’t
• Working too much
• Not getting enough sleep

I’m certain you each could add your own list. These and many other things can cause the stress for which, unfortunately, our health - all aspects of it - pay the price.

What are some coping mechanisms we use to alleviate the stress?

Again, from the class:

• Take it one step at a time, don’t try to conquer the world so to speak, but take the situation one step at a time…
• Eat
• Nap
• Exercise

I can hear you now… "Eat? How is eating a good way to handle stress?" Ahh, but what are you eating? That’s really the question. If you feed your body foods high in nutrients needed by your adrenals, nerves, etc., then eating is an excellent way to alleviate stress.

In addition to the above list, many people like to talk when facing stressful situations. That's where good friends come in with their nice soft, nonjudgmental shoulder to cry on.

Sometimes people internalize stress, or they do the opposite and blow up, some cry. The list could go on and on. We end up not eating right, losing sleep, and biting our nails… Obviously these are not healthy.

Look at the following statistics:

• 70-80% of all visits to the doctor are stress-related
• 1 in 6 Americans suffer from depression
• Only 22% of depressed patients are treated adequately, their depression alleviated.
• We spend more than $40 billion annually on anxiety treatments

So does that mean we should live stress free lives?

Of course not, stress is a natural, normal part of life. Actually a little bit of stress can keep us motivated and healthy! It's the never ending kinds that inflict mayhem on our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual selves.

Who’s responsibility is it?

YOURS! Your health is your responsibility. Everything and everyone you use to support your choices are just that, support. Your doctor, your herbalist, your mother are not responsible for your health.

You are. Period.

What is your responsibility in minimizing the effects of stress on your body? What will you choose to do? Giving your body systems good nutritional support is basic to good health and management of the negative effects of stress. Try one or more of these:

• Vitamin B Complex Capsules - This is an excellent and safe calming combination that can be taken throughout the day as needed. Taken in the evening, it has been known to help with a more restful sleep.
• Quality SAM-e - This little gem is found naturally in every living cell and has been shown to be as effective in working with depression as many prescriptions only without the side effects. There are contraindications with SAM-e so be sure to read them at the link above before purchasing.
• Stress-J - A wonderful herbal combination based on *the* calming herb, chamomile. The combination also includes minerals which enhance absorption as well as potency.
• Chinese Stress Relief - Chinese herbal remedies have been around for centuries. It’s safe to say they are ‘tried and true.’ This one is a mood and depression combination whose Chinese name "an shen" means "to pacify the spirit."
• 5HTP - Serotonin is an extremely important neurotransmitter needed for regulation of sleep, appetite, and mood. When it is out of balance, people experience depression, anorexia, and insomnia, among other things. 5HTP is a precursor to serotonin, i.e. you must have it in order to produce serotonin. This combination is particularly good because it is in a base of synergistic herbs which maximize effectiveness and help control appetite and improve sleep. You will want to consult your doctor if you are taking prescription medications to have him monitor your progress.

Question & Answer

Question: Teri, after a good cry, I feel better....Why is that?

Answer: Have you ever heard the expression "Let it all out?" Keeping stress inside harms our bodies so we need to find ways to move it outside, so to speak. If it’s done in an unhealthy way, (i.e. blowing up at someone) it is unproductive and can actually cause additional stress.

There are healthy ways to do this, though, and crying is one. Anyone who has experienced release of stress in this way can attest to the fact that it can work.

Another way to release stress and move it outside is to write a letter. Write everything you want to say to the person or situation. Then, instead of mailing it, light a match to it and let the stressors go up in smoke!

The third “letting it all out” suggestion is to take deep breaths and blow out. It can be done discretely, and you don’t have to blow straight out, you can blow downward. This is a good one for when you are standing near a person who is causing you stress.

These may seem simplistic, but they do alleviate a great deal of stress and can avoid the problems caused by internalizing it. In addition, you will want to support your body nutritionally so the various body systems will have the best chance of dealing with these issues in a healthy way.

Reminders about classes, online classes/chats, teleconference calls, etc.

Natural Health Connections currently offers two online classes/chats at the following times:

Wednesdays, 3:00 PM Easter Standard Time

https://www.natural-health-coach-for-women.com/sbrnchat
Simply sign in; you don’t need a password, just your name.

Thursdays, 9:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

https://www.natural-health-coach-for-women.com/wuchat
Again, simply sign in, you don’t need a password.

Reminders are sent to those who live in the local area about classes here. If you’d like to be on that list, reply to this email and we’ll be happy to add you.

Did you listen to the April and May NSP teleconference call? I always learn something new, and highly recommend this resource.

http://www.mynsp.com/naturalhealthcoach
Click on ‘Opportunity’ then click on ‘Events’ for the upcoming schedule of calls and other happenings.

Teri Hayes is a Certified Natural Health Consultant, Herb Specialist, and Certified Reflexologist

You can e-mail her by replying to this newsletter or visit her at Natural Health Coach for Women

The herbs and supplements she recommends to clients can be found using this link.

Comments? Ideas? Feedback? I’d love to hear from you! Reply to this newsletter and tell me what you think!

To schedule an appointment, online or offline, go to the Health Questions page, choose the option that best suits you, and follow the directions.

The suggestions in this e-newsletter are meant to encourage personal responsibility for health and are not given as medical advice. For your individual health concerns such as chronic or acute warning symptoms, in emergency situations, or when in doubt, seek the advice of your primary personal health car practitioner.