PART 1

REDUCE STRESS

I now know that during my many years of trying to heal myself, I didn’t give the stress factor enough of my attention. I went without gluten and dairy for years but didn’t do anything about taking care of my emotional health. There were times I felt such anger, depression and even jealousy of others good health. This way of feeling was so detrimental to my overall health.

Our bodies are made to handle small doses of stress throughout our lives, but many of us are feeling stressed each and every day. Those of us dealing with chronic illness have a whole slew of stress related issues. When you are in pain or just feeling like crap you can’t help but get depressed and feel beaten down. I completely understand, but it is at this time when you have to figure out a way to deal with it. No, not just deal with it, but get over it.

If you don’t bring down the stress in your life, it will not only prevent you from getting well, but will make your health conditions worse.

So lets talk about what happens to your body when you are under stress. Physically, your hypothalamus in the brain sends alarms to your body through nerve and hormonal signals that tells your adrenals (small glands above your kidneys) to release hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. This causes your blood pressure to rise, your heart beats faster, muscles tighten, and primarily this is all good to help give you energy when you are in some kind of danger. Yet, at the same time it suppresses your immune system, digestive system, and the reproductive system. This is okay if it only happens when you are in some kind of real danger. The thing is with todays lifestyle many of us are having these reactions on a daily basis. It could be simple things like a fight with a spouse, disciplining your children, being in traffic, or work related issues. In some cases our stress response forgets to shut off and this can lead to a whole host of health related problems. Adrenal fatigue, anxiety, depression, headaches, sleep issues, immune illnesses and weight issues are just some of the problems you can develop. For me, my adrenals stopped working, that is why I was diagnosed with Addison’s disease.  It was a huge wake up call for me.

The minute stress takes hold of me, I stop and think of the chemical and emotional reaction it is having in my body.  Viruses love when we are under stress because it weakens our immune system and then they become stronger.  My goal is to be stronger than my mind, my stress and any nasty virus that I might have inside me.

The best way to reduce stress is by calming the mind and body.  I found meditation to be very helpful for me and I highly recommend a daily practice.

Read my blog, The Importance of Meditation to find out how it can help you in your healing. You can find great meditations for free online.  There are even Sleep while you heal videos you can have going all night.

Reiki is another great way to calm your body, mind and spirit in a natural way.  It also creates a path for self healing within your body. Read about Reiki in my Energy Healing section.

Also, if you are able to exercise, I would recommend doing whatever you can.  If you are having trouble exercising, do little things throughout the day.  Walking is a great thing to do, it helps clear your mind and helps with mobility in the body. There was a time I was so weak I could barely walk around my small block.  I remember being afraid I wouldn’t be able to make it back.  Ugh, scary stuff. Yet, let me motivate you,  now (a year and a 1/2 after starting all the things you are reading about) I can walk miles a few times a day with my dog.  I can’t even believe it as I’m writing this.  It can happen to you too.  That is why I’ve created this blog, for all of you out there.  

Other ways to help you relax and destress; long hot baths, laughing with friends, time with family (or time away from family!), listening to music, savor your cup of coffee or tea, write in a journal, read a good book,  go for a massage, take naps, look or sit in nature, and count your blessings.  Basically, be kind to yourself! 

Be sure to read my Start Here! page if you missed it before moving on to Step 2.