Stress, like much of our evolutionary software, served a practical purpose for our distant ancestors but now poses a significant health challenge in a modern context. Stress, at its most basic level, is a survival response. When we feel threatened or in danger, our body produces chemicals & hormones designed to help us fight or take flight.
In small doses, this response can save our lives. In large doses over a long time, however, we can suffer a number of consequences. Under stress, our bodies temporarily suspend the normal function of otherwise important systems—like immunity and digestion—much like Captain Kirk in Star Trek might divert all of his ship’s energy to forward shields in the heat of battle. Outside of battle, the rest of the ship needs to run normally if the crew is to function efficiently and productively.
According to the Mayo Clinic, stress can lead to a number of health complications, like anxiety, depression, heart disease, & memory impairment. Managing your stress can also be a key factor in reaching & maintaining a healthy weight in addition to getting healthy, restorative sleep.
As it is with nutrition, exercise, & sleep, failing to create a healthy mind will cripple the progress you have made in other areas of your life & may even undo the good work that you have done. The sooner you address the stress in your life, you can enjoy a peaceful, fulfilling life. You may discover that your stress comes from within, from your job,or from certain influences within your community. But I would be hard-pressed to believe that there is not some facet of your life—if not several—that is causing you stress.
According to the American Psychological Association, 22 percent of Americans report suffering from “extreme stress” & more than half (53 percent) of Americans reported that stress was the source of personal health problems. On top of that, in a survey conducted by Harris Interactive (on behalf of Everest College), 8 out of 10 people reported that they are stressed about their jobs.
We suspect these statistics don’t surprise you. The way stress affects us is generally pretty easy to see. At its core, stress is usually a combination of fear & unhappiness, two emotions that can rob you of your ability to make informed decisions about your health & can derail you from living a life that you feel is fulfilling.
