Ask any person you know, and chances are they experience stress on a regular basis. Whether it is kids, job worries, financial issues, or a number of other anxieties, stress has become a way of life for many. While occasional stress can help us improve our focus and performance, living with chronic stress can backfire by causing anxiety, depression, and wide variety of serious health problems.
The ACA defines stress as a physical and mental response to the difference between our expectations and our personal experience, real or imaginary. While reacting to stress, the body goes through alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. Released hormone epinephrine, or adrenaline, prepares the body for physical action (“fight or flight”) by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels. Then, the body releases glucocorticoid cortisol, or hydrocortisone, producing anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressing effects. Stress can also lead to pain, especially in the low back, which can mean leg pain, headaches, sleep problems, anxiety, and depression. In fact, stress can be a more powerful pain generator than strenuous physical activity or repetitive motion.
Avoid Further Stress and Back Pain:
The reality is, stress is going to happen, it’s how you deal with it that can make a huge difference. One thing we personally recommend is exercise. After all, by using exercise to counteract stress, you are getting the best of both worlds, burning off the negative effects of stress while getting into good physical shape. And the best part is, virtually any form of exercise, from aerobics to yoga, can act as a stress reliever. If you’re not an athlete you can still make a little exercise go a long way toward stress management.
If you don’t have an exercise modality or routine in place, the best way to get started is with a good old-fashioned walk. You don’t need a gym membership or a bunch of fancy gear to get started; you just need a comfortable (and supportive) pair of shoes, and 15-20 minutes. The benefits of walking on a regular basis will do wonders for your overall health and have been proven to lower your “bad” cholesterol while raising your “good” cholesterol, as well as help lower your blood pressure, reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes, manage your weight, improve your mood, and help you stay strong and fit.
According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s best to start slow and easy. At first, walk only as far or as fast as you find comfortable. If you can walk for only a few minutes, let that be your starting point. For example, you might try short daily sessions of five to 10 minutes and slowly build up to 15 minutes twice a week. Then, over several weeks’ time, you can begin to gradually work your way up.
If you aren’t sure where to start, or you have pre-existing mobility issues in your way, our team at Carlson Chiropractic Center is standing by to help you gain and maintain a healthy lifestyle, which is key when it comes to combatting stress. Bottom line, regular chiropractic care and a few minutes of walking each day can make a huge difference in your stress levels, and improve your overall quality of life!
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO RELIEVING BACK PAIN WITH SPINAL DECOMPRESSION THERAPY