Stress Overload:
The body is designed to be self-healing. It has mechanisms that constantly monitor every function that is taking place externally and internally and is continuously adapting to these influences. And, while a certain amount of stress is necessary to motivate us, in the ever-increasing fast pace of life sometimes our body is unable to adapt effectively to the constant barrage of stressors we are exposed to. When the body fails to adapt successfully stress overload is reached.
As a result muscles clench up in a mechanism of protective action and over time the stress locks in to the system, manifesting as lines of tension (or “body stress”). This stored tension may manifests in numerous different ways, one could experience pain, stiffness, numbness and/or postural distortions, fatigue, lack of flexibility and the body’s capacity to co-ordinate daily functioning is undermined.
Types of Stress:
Stress may be physical, chemical or emotional in nature. Physical stress usually locks in as a result of a fall, heavy lifting or an accident whereas chemical stress is often found as a result of a person inhaling or ingesting toxic substances, or via absorption through beauty products, creams, cleaning products, chemicals etc.
Emotional stress is often as a result of a sudden shock or change in circumstance (such as retrenchment, divorce, death in the family etc). A heightened state of “fight or flight” for an extended period of time causes the muscles to tense up, and when the stress is ongoing it may become debilitating as one’s energy is slowly eroded.
Reducing the Negative Stress in our Lives:
We all need to take responsibility for our own health, by striving to reduce the negative stresses to which we are subjected.
To minimise chemical stress, it makes sense to follow a balanced and varied diet. Eat foods in forms as close as possible to their original state, and choose those containing the fewest additives. We should avoid exposure to harmful substances, by minimising skin contact and being careful not to inhale sprays.
We can reduce mechanical stress by improving our posture, by sitting, bending and lifting correctly, and avoiding potentially harmful exercises. Obviously it is helpful to pursue moderate and sensible forms of exercise to strengthen muscles.
As for the emotional/mental stress in our lives, we need to learn to consciously relax when we feel ourselves becoming tense. It is also advisable to seek out whatever activities and techniques help us, as individuals, to approach emotional balance and inner peace.
By minimising stress overload, together with Body Stress Release, we allow ourselves the opportunity of expressing our highest life potential.