Stress. It's a catch-all term used to describe the physical and emotional state of a being when outside factors are not adding up leading a person to feel unwell inside. A relatively new term. And the reason for
60% of all doctor visits. I think this is a conservative estimate. I am quite sure that there is another huge percentage of people who do not seek medical attention for stress due to the cost of the doctor's visit. But that's a different blog entry for a different day.
As an acupuncturist, I would say that lately most of my cases are stress-related. Sure, I still get the sciatica, carpal tunnel, and tennis elbow cases and I am happy to serve these patients. But I am troubled by the number of stress cases that have turned into physical maladies. Insomnia, digestive problems, anxiety and depression, migraines, gynecological disorder, erectile dysfunction, and TMJ are just a few of the cases I have taken as of late due to stress. I have come so accustomed to working with stress that I have come up with a list of ideas that will help you take care of you, or as I like to say "control the controllables."
- Eat Right It sounds simple but I'm surprised when people tell me how much junk food into their bodies. And that is just what they'll admit to. Eat 5 - 10 servings of vegetables and fruits per day, eat healthy fats like nuts, seeds, and avocados, and have small amounts of lean protein. Flood your body with nutrition. You will feel great doing so.
- Limit Caffeine One caffeinated beverage early in the day is enough. Anything more may disrupt sleep. Sleep is essential for rest and repair of the body.
- Drink Water It is imperative to drink water to keep vital organs hydrated. A dehydrated person may suffer from headaches, digestive disorders and muscle fatigue. A good rule of thumb for water consumption is to drink half of your body weight in ounces. For example, a 150-lb. person would drink 75 ounces per day, every day.
- Do Aerobic Exercise You must elevate your heart rate at least 20 minutes per day in order to keep your cardiovascular system healthy. Also, creating an endorphin rush and balancing serotonin levels in the brain will help you reduce stress.
- Have A Confidante Do not keep your emotions inside. Get it off your chest. There is great therapy in "talking it out." I always let the patient have the first five minutes or so to talk. I just listen quietly and intently. After just a few minutes, I see their faces soften, their shoulders relax, a return to a normal breathing pattern, and finally a sense of calm. Know you are not alone. Stress happens to everyone.
- Get Acupuncture I am not saying this because I am an acupuncturist. I am saying this because I am an acupuncture patient. I will tell you with certainty that when I receive the points shenmen and yintang, I feel physical stress leave my body almost immediately.
- Get Massage I have the pleasure of working alongside of some of the most talented massage therapists in all of Los Angeles. I watch people walk out of Healing Hands on Larchmont all day long completely blissed out.
- Take a News Sabbatical The 24-hour news outlets routinely sensationalize news stories. I encourage you to not watch them but rather log onto the internet and read the news from a reputable news outlet for facts only. Without emotion. And without and "expert" telling you how you should feel. See the news for what it is and not worse than what it is. Limit your reading to 30 minutes per day so that you stay informed but do not feel manipulated.
I am sure that if you incorporate a few, if not all, of the above ideas into your life, you will feel better and that your stress will feel more manageable. And remember, you are not alone, stress happens to the best of us and whatever it is you are going through, this too shall pass.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
