We all know that symptoms of chronic stress are accelerating. Some recent statistics show that 25% of drugs prescribed in U.S. are for stress.
Between 80 and 90% of all doctor’s visits are related to conditions caused by stress. Yet, only 3% of those visits were because the patient felt that stress was a problem.
What this really means is that over 95% of those who are suffering from a stress-related illness are neither aware of the significant level of stress that they are under, nor of the consequences of that stress.
Most of us have no idea just how deeply stress is affecting us, and of the consequences stress brings to our health and our well-being.
Without question, the biggest challenge facing most of us, is that we are Stressed, and don’t know it!
Stress is simply your body’s normal response to an external stimulus that makes you feel threatened or uncomfortable. It’s as normal as breathing.
The release of two hormones, Cortisol and Adrenaline, occur to put you in a state of high alert.
Your heart beats faster increasing blood pressure, your breath quickens filling your blood with more oxygen, your muscles tighten as they ready themselves for action, and your senses become sharper.
This response is great if you have to take a test, give an important presentation at work or are in a sports competition.
These physical changes increase your strength and stamina, reduce your reaction time, and sharpen your focus – preparing you for either fight or flight if you are in danger.
Once the danger has passed, the hormone levels return to normal, and your body relaxes.
Where we get into trouble with extending our body’s stress response is this: it makes no difference whether the threat is real or imagined.
Adrenaline and cortisol should be gone from your system in 90 seconds. That’s the physical process.
But these hormones can also be released over and over again by our thoughts and emotions. We do it all the time. It’s called worry, or fear, or anxiety!
Here are a few symptoms of your system being bombarded by cortisol or adrenaline. Some of these, you may be familiar with.
In the short term, stress compromises the immune system. You’re left susceptible to catching colds, or the flu. Ever notice how many people catch a cold as the stress of the holiday season comes on?
When stressed, your muscles tighten up in anticipation to fight or flight. If these muscles remain tense for extended periods of time, muscle aches result – particularly in the lower back, shoulders, and in their jaw, often ending up with TMJ. Headaches are common, as are migraines in those susceptible to them.
Stress increases the amount of glucose in the bloodstream, which helps to sharpen your mind and your senses. But if it isn’t allowed to dissipate, that “sharpened mind” turns into what we call the 90 mile an hour mind.
And then there are the long-term consequences, as chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in your body.
Stress affects our entire Gastro-intestinal system. It can cause us to lose our appetite, often skipping meals. 
Indigestion, or nausea may occur. Your body loses its ability to repair ulcers, and problems like Irritable Bowel Syndrome appear.
Sexual problems occur as well. There is often a loss of libido – or desire, in both sexes.
Emotionally, being under stress makes us more anxious – and often more negative. Left unchecked it can lead to depression.
And there is a heightened risk of heart disease and stroke. Stress has been linked in numerous studies to Coronary Heart Disease.
Research suggests that stress acts like an amplifier, multiplying the effects of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and others.
Certain sounds and music has been shown in studies to reduce symptoms of stress in less than 10 minutes. In some studies – in seconds.
Would you like to know how to turn your Chronic Stress into Complete Serenity in just 1 weekend with Sharon Carne?
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About Sharon Carne:
Sharon Carne, BMus, M.F.A. is an author, speaker, musician, recording artist, sound healer, Reiki master and consultant. Sharon is the founder of Sound Wellness, whose programs are at the forefront of education in how sound and music can be easily applied to your everyday life – to reduce stress, help you concentrate, energize you, inspire you, support your health and so much more.
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