STRESS EFFECTS and Immediate Relief!

At a time when many of us have been thrown into the winds of unpredictability, losing decade’s worth of preparation and planning, does it help to know that as humans we are the most adaptable creatures on earth? Because of the evolution of our brains, especially the part called the “neo-cortex”, we’re able to live in various ecosystems, climates and avoid the danger of predators.

Are you as tempted as I was to say, "Who cares – I just want quick relief"? Seems uncanny to find that the trusted keepers of our financial economy were predators, doesn’t it? There’s no point staying in blame though - that hasn't helped anyone. The consequences are that stress is on the rise. Unfortunately, while in that state, we may not recognize it.

Years ago, I listened to a doctor explaining a natural product that affects the same parts of our brain as Valium, Zanax and conventional anxiolytics like Lorazepam and diazepam - without any side-effects or dependency (see PNT 200). After lulling his audience into a catatonic state describing its scientific properties and discovery, his last words jilted us back to reality. He said, “If you don’t think you’re stressed out, ask the people around you”.

If you know there are situations that feel like stressful tests, or the people around you are too polite to state what they think you already know, this article and the links offer solutions. The place to start is to recognize the effects stress has on us. From there you can decide which solutions might work best for you and why you may want to consider making time for them in your already demanding schedule.

For the convenience of many who prefer less in-depth hubs, this one in particular will focus on a few immediate signs along with an instant solution. After that, there are brief listings of the greater effects and links for long term solutions.

Therefore, below: 1) 3 stages of physical recognition

2) Action for instantly alleviating stress & repetition.

3) Long term effects/symptoms

Plus: current available links: Gift of Tranquility (calming connection) ; OVERCOMING LUPUS and other diseases doctors call INCURABLE (metaphysics); Adaptogens (discovery of plants with healing properties second to none!); and Quantum Leaps for FREEDOM FROM STRESS AND DISEASE in YOUR DNA! (Healing Codes and EFT)

When stress levels become too high, we go into a state of “emotional overwhelm”.

In the 1^st Stage: at the moment of shock, or when fatigue overwhelms us, the body/brain withdraws blood from the surface of the body. The priority becomes “fight or flight”! We feel out of control and lose track of our goals. These feelings create an uneasiness best described as having no options. We wish the problem would resolve itself, settle quickly, or simply just go away. This cuts conscious thinking to the minimum necessary for survival. We say, “I can’t think” or “I’m overwhelmed” or “I’m confused”…

Even in this first stage, we are out of balance. Physically we’re rigid and our eyes dry – staring vacantly with drooped eyelids and our skin becomes shiny. The normal attempt here is to avoid or deny what brought on the stress to begin with. Unfortunately, we may also be emotionally and mentally rigid – not accepting anything new that comes onto our path.

Which leads to the 2^nd Stage: if we stay in avoidance, the stress will physically affect our depth of perception. One eyeball starts to roll upwards causing all sorts of problems - technically called “vertical strabismus”. White starts showing under one iris. We become “not amused”, doing clumsy things, having irritating little accidents. Essentially, we become “an accident looking for a place to happen”.

If we keep our old beliefs, continuing to avoid what causes our stress, affecting our bodies, we roll in the 3^rd Stage: White starts showing under both irises and our problem becomes obsessive. We then recreate them repeatedly in our minds. This starts attracting circumstances to us, giving us the choice to either deal with it once and for all, or get sick.

Even in stage 3, many of us make the mistake of believing we are still in conscious control simply because we’re still conscious. This is not the case. Under stress, we’re into knee-jerk duplication of learned reactions based on negative emotions. Stressors equate with repressed emotion. To deny a stressor’s negative emotional charge multiplies its power.

Some say just deep breathing helps, or counting. I have found this method to be much more effective. Take one open hand and put it over your forehead (particularly protecting your “3^rd Eye”). The other hand, place on the back of your head, just above your neck. Holding a positive and preferred picture in your mind, visualize the natural positive outcome that picture creates, then take a few calming breaths. According to One Brain Facilitating, the hand on the back of your head will not only prevent the bad from being imbedded in your back brain’s memory storage, but will also not release the negative emotions associated with the current stressful situation.

"Stress affects us all. If you can spot the symptoms, you can manage them. [Some of the following symptoms may also be indicators of the previously mentioned disease state]. Note also that a stressed person is unlikely to experience all of these symptoms and that even one can be a sign of stress.

Emotional/cognitive symptoms of stress include: Feeling irritable, easily frustrated, and restless; unable to concentrate and memory problems; confusion and difficulty concentrating; thinking about negative things all the time/negative self-talk; mood swings and emotional outbursts; eating too much or when not hungry; lack of energy to get things done; difficult decision making and coping skills; generally feeling upset and lack of sense of humor

Physical symptoms of stress include: muscle tension - pain in lower back, shoulders or neck and chest; stomach and/or abdominal pain or what could be called "butterflies" and/or indigestion; muscle spasms or nervous tics; unexplained rashes or skin irritations; 'pounding' or 'racing' heart; sweaty palms and sweating when not physically active; diarrhea; unable to sleep or excessive sleep; shortness of breath...

Muscles work in opposing pairs, with movement caused when one contracts whilst the other relaxes. Stress can result in both muscles working at once. There is thus no movement, but still muscular tension.

Autonomic nervous system = our involuntary nervous system called the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), which contains two types of nerves.

· Parasympathetic nerves conserve energy and keep the systems in a relatively resting state.

· Sympathetic nerves prepare the body for action through the Fight-or-Flight reaction.

Thus it is the sympathetic system that is affected by stress.  So what? Watch out for your own stress, and help others reduce theirs."

OK, it won’t bring our retirement savings back, nor get the top executive predators to share their billions, but we can prevent creating a worse situation or falling into dis-ease.

And if you’re skeptical, there’s always the video guy’s technique ->

Because when it comes right down to it, laughter is our greatest medicine :)