Everyone has been or will be 'stressed out' at some point in their lives. Due to the detrimental health effects of excess and chronic stress on the entire body however, learning to manage and reduce all forms of stress (i.e., spiritual, astral, emotional, mental and physical stress) is necessary for optimum health.

Health Effects Of Chronic Stress

We all know that what is on the outside can affect that which lies within, but this goes both ways because impulses, beliefs, emotions and thoughts also affect the physical body. Research shows that when DNA is placed in a container it changes shape according to the thoughts and emotions of researchers. Negative thoughts and emotions have been found to depress the immune system by increasing the body's production of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, whereas happy thoughts and emotions strengthen the immune system by increasing production of immune builders such as DHEA, endorphins, interferon, interluken and imipramin. Clearly if DNA is affected so profoundly by mental and emotional states, then all cells, organs and body systems are likewise affected by stress. Though everyone's body may react somewhat or even vastly different to stress, chronic stress can lead to many negative health effects. Chronic stress can for example, depress the immune system, inhibit dopamine absorption, deplete nutrients, damage chromosomes, increase heart rate and free radical production, reduce PH to an acidic state within minutes, cause gas, diarrhea, indigestion, stomach ulcers, appetite changes, obesity, learning disabilities, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, atherosclerosis, heart disease, hypertension, heart attack, premature aging, brain shrinkage, depression, anxiety, hormonal imbalance, adrenal exhaustion, insomnia, fatigue, infertility and irregular cycles in women, reduced testosterone production and erectile dysfunction in men.

Natural Stress Reduction

There are many ways to manage and reduce stress. Although everyone is affected by stress differently, there are some methods of stress reduction that are likely to work well for most people, such as (but certainly not limited to):

• Nonphysical Nutrients (i.e., confidence, love, knowledge, comfort, etc.)
• The 8 Health Factors (for balance, homeostasis, and moderation)
• Personal Responsibility – taking personal responsibility for our own perspectives, emotions, thoughts and actions is empowering, in that one's own happiness need not depend on the actions of others, because each individual has the power to make their own lives pleasant … or miserable. Expecting others to make us happy only sets us up for disappointments anyway, because we are not in control of what others do, and no one will do things the way we would. We ourselves are, for the most part responsible for the lives we choose to lead, but must balance this knowledge with the understanding that we all make mistakes along the way and not one of us is perfect, nor expected to be.
• Glass Half Full – understand that obstacles lay in our path not to block our way or knock us down, but to provide us with opportunities to find solutions, so as to learn from our mistakes and experiences, and thereby pass on wisdom gained to future generations.
• Additional stress reduction methods include aromatherapy, yoga, tai chi, meditation, even fun, sex, or laughter.

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Art gallery and homestead of Sue Robishaw and Steve Schmeck, creating and living a sustainable life in Michigan