Stress Management: Your Key to Health

Stress can be triggered by so many different factors; it completely depends on the individual.

Did you know that humans are the only species on the planet that stresses over past and future events, not just what is happening in the present?

Stress triggers our fight or flight response, and so we can trigger that response even when there is no immediate danger. Most species have a stress response from immediate danger, which is fear, whereas humans have a stress response just from their thoughts, otherwise known as anxiety. 

We’ve all been in bed at night overthinking how we embarrassed ourselves five years ago or how we have an important work meeting the following week. This starts chemicals moving through your body ready to escape danger, that’s why your heart races and you feel sweaty amongst other things. Your body diverts energy from processes like digestion to your muscles, for example, to help you run from the “danger”.

Why it’s important to manage your stress levels

If you are placing yourself under constant stress, then some subconscious bodily processes can’t operate as well as they should. This is why it is so important to find ways to manage the levels of stress in your life. Studies have shown that a healthy amount of manageable stress can be good for brain function, boosting the immune system and preparing yourself for future stressful situations, but too much and your body can’t cope. Finding tactics that help you to manage your stress levels will leave you feeling happier, healthier and more productive.

Tips for managing stress

There are so many different ways that you can manage your stress levels. It’s about finding the one that works for you. To get you thinking, here are a few of our tips and tricks for reducing stress.

Exercise

Regular exercise can help you to relax and reduce feelings of anxiety. It can also improve your sleep as it reduces stress and increases your sense of health and well-being. Exercise triggers more endorphins to be released which lowers stress. This can be going to the gym work, sport training or classes like yoga.

Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods and guided meditation to help relax both the body and mind to help reduce stress. It helps you to focus on being aware of how you’re feeling in that moment. For example, if you feel stressed, focus on taking some deep breaths and remember your thoughts aren’t happening right at this moment. No need for fight or flight. 

A way to help increase your awareness is through gratitude journaling. Gratitude journaling is great to improve sleep, wellbeing, positivity and outlook on disruptive events. If you’d like to read more on gratitude journaling, then click here to read our blog.

Make time for yourself and hobbies

Taking time to do something you enjoy or love, whether that’s taking the dog for a walk, reading a good book or going to the gym gives you time to step back from the stresses of your day. It’s amazing what some guilt free time to do whatever you want will do for the body and mind.

Managing stress and your chiropractic journey

When you’re stressed, energy is taken away from some processes in your body, like digestion, and provided to organs and systems that are needed to get you out of danger. 

If you stress less, it allows these processes to work as they should. Chiropractic focuses on aligning the spine to ensure that the nervous system can work as well as possible to allow for healing processes to take place. Therefore, combining chiropractic and stress management techniques go hand in hand to make sure the body is working properly. 

How our Chiropractors unwind

We asked our Chiropractors how they like to unwind and reduce the levels of stress in their lives. Here’s what some of them said…

Dr Liam – “I love to play golf to unwind. The mental and physical challenge is great, but what I love the most about it is always being in the moment with each shot. Playing around beautiful courses and in nature definitely tops it off for me!”

Dr Harvey – “Surfing helps me to unwind. It allows me to reconnect with nature and wash off any tension and stress I carry instantly. I get to see some of the most beautiful scenery, and this grounds me in the present more than anything I do!”

Dr Betina – “I love to do so many activities to unwind, from cycling and hiking to swimming. I recently did a 23km walk up Pen Y Fan and the four waterfalls in Wales!”

Dr Hardus – “I love to do something creative. For me, that is playing music. I play my guitar, write music and record. It takes my mind into a different state, and I forget what worries me. I feel relaxed and happier as I’ve created something I’m proud of@”

We’d love to hear what you do to unwind, let us know your tips and tricks.