Stress: Don’t Let It Grind You Down

March 27, 2010

People who are stressed by daily problems or trouble at work seem to be more likely to grind their teeth at night. Researchers writing in BioMed Central’s open access journal Head & Face Medicine studied the causes of ‘sleep bruxism’, gnashing teeth during the night, finding that it was especially common in those who try to cope with stress by escaping from difficult situations.

Maria Giraki, from Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany, worked with a team of researchers to study the condition in 69 people, of whom 48 were ‘bruxers’. She said, “Bruxing can lead to abrasive tooth wear, looseness and sensitivity of teeth, and growth and pain in the muscles responsible for chewing. Its causes are still relatively unknown, but stress has been implicated. We aimed to investigate whether different stress-factors, and different coping strategies, were more or less associated with these bruxism symptoms.”

Tooth grinding was measured by thin plates that were placed in trial participants mouths’ overnight, while stress and coping techniques were assessed by three questionnaires. Bruxing was not associated with age, sex or education level, but was more common in people who claimed to experience daily stress and trouble at work.

More about this article from sciencedaily.com

The Links Between Stress And Diet

March 25, 2010

About the Link

For many years now, countless studies have been made to prove the link between stress and diet. Recent studies have shown that there is a very strong link that occurs between the level of stress one receives and its consequent effects to diet and ultimately to the body. Some of these studies, however, negate findings of other studies regarding the relationship between the two. Despite this, there exists a dominant agreement that a healthy diet promotes decreased stress levels and even stress levels have a role in how individuals make choices with regard to their eating behaviors.

Also, certain biochemical reactions and neurotransmitters in the brain have been found to be factors influencing between these links and, as scientists are having a better understanding among these factors, there may be real solutions to the epidemic of gaining weight caused by stress and improper diet.

Any Harmful Aspects

The most harmful aspect between the stress and diet is that most people tend to eat more when they are much under stress with the attempt to make their selves feel more at ease. This behavior tends to reinforce the vicious cycle of eating and being stressed out. The more stress we have, the more we tend to make wrong decisions about eating and when we gain weight this makes us feel more depressed and feel more stressed out. And the choice of food makes the process even worse.

People tend to eat foods high in fat and sugar because these are the kinds of food that makes us feel comforted and makes us gain weight. There are also times, however, that when stressed out we tend to skip meals and when we do, glucose in our blood becomes so low that the body signals our brain to eat more than what we ought to have contributing to the cycle.

What Studies Conclude

Studies have shown that specific hormones and neurotransmitters found in the blood and brain play a role between the links. Cortisol is a hormone produced naturally in the adrenal gland which is released in the blood in response to long-term stress. Cortisol acts out by releasing glucose into the bloodstream, in response to stress, which may be later stored to other parts in the body in the form of fats. Cortisol may increase one’s appetite and one’s cravings with high fat and sugary foods.

When we feel hungry we tend to reach for the wrong foods and when we eat them our brain cells produce a naturally occurring neurotransmitter found chiefly in the brain called serotonin which makes us feel good and which also makes us eat more. More recent studies show that certain chemicals in our nerve cells called neuropeptide Y is released in response to stress and plays a part in fat accumulation in the body.

Breaking the Cycle

There are ways to break the cruel cycle of being stressed out and eating in response to it. As mentioned earlier, we shouldn’t allow ourselves to become too hungry because it causes a drop in blood sugar or glucose which causes us to feel weak, hungry and irrational. And when we’re not thinking straight we are bound to eat anything that crosses our mouth. Always keep in mind the portions of our meals.

Eat small, frequent meals, six times a day instead of three large meals. And most important of all, we have to deal with our stress. Exercise regularly, find time to relax and hang out with friends. Find other ways to put stress to a minimum and take control of our lives.

Measuring Stress – Existing Tools

March 19, 2010

You can measure a lot of things, but stress may not have an accurate tool. However, there are several ways on how you can gauge the level of your stress. You can also check out the categories to find out if you are at risk for developing further problems like depression or developing illness from the stress. It is important that you discover the problems early so that you can find the right means to reducing it before things get worse. Here are tips.

The Stress Assessment

Stress assessment tests are described as questionnaires that can be filled up to provide a full idea of the individuals present stress level. The stress level may be categorized anywhere between low and high. A number of questionnaires are made by top agencies and well-known health institutions. These may be available in a multiple choice format, essay format or yes or no format, depending on the case and the source. Questions are asked covering the person’s feelings, current condition and other symptoms and factors.

Stress Meters

There are actually stress meters available which are described as a glass tube that is linked to a plastic card. This measures the temperature of the individual to know the current stress level. Stress meters may be held just below the finger or taped to it to provide the right temperature reading and the probable stress level. There is a manual provided with the stress meter to guide the person how to interpret the readings show on the device.

Using Biodots

Biodots are described as plastic squares or circles that can accurately measure the temperature inside the body. People usually peel off the biodots from the paper then stick these to the skin just between the thumb and the forefinger. The biodot will change colors based on the current level of stress that the person is going through. Red color usually shows high stress level, while blue or green usually presents a relaxed condition.

Stress Exams

Individuals can also check themselves independently to know the mental and physical symptoms of stress. A number of symptoms that may be displayed include high pulse, shallow breathing, profuse sweating and fast heartbeats. Individuals who go through a lot of stress can check if they are tensed in some muscles like the forehead and shoulders, then relax these accordingly to get rid of tension soreness.

Individuals who are going through a lot of stress might also present symptoms and conditions like having a fever, feeling tired or drowsy all the time, not showing interest in activities and work, not focusing or concentrating well, having a hard time remembering things or getting irritable or angry easily.

The Pros

Some professionals are also well-trained to measure the symptoms of the person and indicate if they need help and which type. Mild stress can easily be treated with exercise, sleep and good nutrition, moderate stress will require social interaction and other de-stressing methods, while severe stress will need medications or psychotherapy, depending on the case and the response of the individual to treatment.

Do You Suffer From Stress In A Marriage? Know The Signs And Discover How To Avoid Turmoil

March 17, 2010

Unfortunately, marriage is not all enjoyable and games. In actuality, there could be a great amount of stress to deal with, and if you don’t know tips on how to deal with it, it may be devastating. Listed here are some signs of stress in marriage, and how to lessen the strain.

Stress not solely takes an emotional toll on a person, however it also brings you down physically.

Some bodily indicators of stress in marriage are being in poor health a lot, comparable to getting frequent colds or headaches. It’s possible you’ll end up not sleeping well, and, in some extreme instances, not sleeping at all. It’s possible you’ll try to recover from the stress by not consuming, or consuming approach too much.

Emotional signs include more frequent arguing, being annoyed with one another, being unable to take care of on a regular basis problems, and being unhappy a lot.

The intimacy that’s purported to be in your marriage is getting less and fewer, and also you each really feel like there’s nothing you are able to do about it.

Stress is introduced on by many things. These include monetary difficulties, kids, work, and typically even family.

More of this article from articleart.com

Stress-less with Yoga, Relaxation, Breathing and Homeopathy

March 15, 2010

Yoga is a centuries-old practice of self-development, which continues to gain millions of adherents globally today. The principles of Yoga include physical postures, breathing control, meditation and ethical disciplines. This traditional Eastern practice is fast-becoming popular in the West, and more  individuals, private organizations and companies continue to initiate yoga fitness programs in their workplaces and homes. Yoga is popular because it’s viewed by many to be very potent in fighting stress.

What Causes Stress?

During these fast-paced and modern times, almost everyone experiences some form of stress every day.  As each one deals with stifling work deadlines, lots of bills to pay, exams to pass, health concerns,  traffic, pollution and a host of other issues,  the continuous build-up of tension in our mind and body generally takes its toll on us.

Stress often leads to a host of physical and emotional imbalances. The centuries-old science of Yoga has been deemed effective in warding off the negative outcomes brought about by stress. Yoga, if combined with a number of homeopathic therapies, can also serve as a potent tool for battling and overcoming stress.

The Many Benefits Of Yoga

Yoga is a centuries-old discipline that offers a wide array of benefits to the individual. The tenets of yoga have been proven to be effective in reducing stress, lowering blood pressure and heart rate, reducing anxiety and tension, slowing the aging process, and enhancing flexibility and strength.

Yoga also aids in improving sleep, and aids in allergy and asthma treatment, as well as enhance both physical well-being and spiritual growth. Because of the many benefits of yoga, the payoff should be quite high for those who faithfully follow and practice its tenets.

Yoga Stretching And Breathing Exercises

Yoga involves doing a number of stretching and breathing exercises. There are different styles of yoga, where some of its poses work like an aerobic workout, and some styles provide an avenue for relaxation and deep breathing. Yoga’s breathing exercises reflect the close relationship between the breath, mind and body. If a person’s breath is tense and shallow, this will directly reflect on the mind and body. However, if a person’s mind and body is tense, the person’s breath also becomes tense. Yoga generally stresses that a persons breath serves as a barometer of his or her emotions.

How Homeopathy Can Treat Stress

Homeopathy is a very popular form of alternative medicine today, and is also seen as effective for treating and managing stress. Homeopathy is an innovative approach to health, and involves a comprehensive overview of a person’s individual symptoms, from an emotional, mental and physical standpoint.

Homeopathy generally is more concerned with how an individual reacts to various stress levels, and through the treatments, the person learns how to observe his or her biorhythms, mental processes and habits, and will have a full understanding of how his thoughts or emotions directly affect his health. In homeopathy, the knowledge gained through self-observation of a homeopathic treatment can help the person get a deeper understanding of his subconsciousness, as well as help in the quicker treatment of his ailments and pains.

Too much stress can do a lot of harm to both mind and body. It can lead to physical and emotional illnesses, which include depression, anxiety, skin ailments, high blood pressure, diabetes and a lot more. The treatment and management of stress, through the use of natural and homeopathic treatments, may help to ward off or significantly reduce its negative impact on both the mind and body.

Women guilty of feeling too guilty, study shows

March 12, 2010

Men and women are created equally. However, in truth, men and women have different traits and habits, and the funny thing is that a recent study done by Spanish researchers has indicated that women feel guilt over just about anything more than their male counterparts.

Are Men Less Likely To Feel Guilty Than Women?

The recent Spanish study interestingly notes that men are guilt-deficient, while many women surprisingly suffer from destructive guilt, which they see is most likely imposed by society. A study done by psychologists at the University of New Orleans also adds that men are supposed to feel less guilt intensely because they are less emphatic than women. Why is this so ? The University of New Orleans study simply notes that it’s the way evolution made us.

The Guilt Feelings In Women May Be Genetic In Nature

Habitual guilt by women may be as a result of genetics. The Spanish research team has noted that habitual guilt, which is described as a type of internalized feeling of guilt, is much more intense in women as compared to men. Interpersonal guilt, which is described as the type of guilt that’s related to how our action or inaction affects others, is significantly much higher in women than it is in men. The study although notes that older men achieve the same levels of habitual guilt as women.

Women Need Support, While Men Need Counseling

The recent Spanish study notes that women need constant emotional support, while men need fixing or counseling. The study also highlights that there should be more socializing agents and educational practices to help considerably reduce the levels of anxious aggressive guilt in women. There also needs to be extra promotion of interpersonal sensitivity in men, so that  men would become more sensitive to the feelings of women.

Men Are More Self-Centered, While Women Worry More About Their Actions

Whether men forget their wedding anniversary or cheat on their wives and feel less remorse, these studies note that more and more women continue to feel more guilty than men. Women are twice as likely to tie themselves in stomach-turning knots of regret and shame, even for their slightest failings. The study further adds that men are more self-centered, and their greatest feelings of guilt arise from either drinking to much or over-eating, rather than on their behaviors. Women on the other hand, worry far more about hurting other people, or worry more about their actions or inactions.

In both the Spanish and University of New Orleans studies, one thing stands out: Women are more complex emotionally. The study’s proponents admit that anytime you study men and women, and ask them about their emotions, women are more likely to admit to having far more complex array of emotions, while men are more less  likely to show how they feel, and are less likely to feel guilt.

Swine Flu – What are You Doing About it?

May 20, 2009

I know a lot of people are stressing about the why’s and the wherefore’s of the origin of the swine flu, and I know a lot of people are worried about what they need to do to protect themselves from it in the event that the situation becomes even more worrying – because I hear about it in emails all the time.

However, it seems that although the virus is currently spreading, it’s not actually killing that many people. The guys on NaturalNews.com might well be on to something when they say that this is because we have naturally high levels of Vitamin D at the moment due to the sun, and our immune levels are high – and that we’re heading for problems when we hit influenza time in the Autum / Fall and Winter months later in the year.

“With potentially millions of Americans carrying non-fatal H1N1 influenza into the regular winter flu season in late 2009, there is a very real chance that H1N1 genetic code could mix with various seasonal flu strains, creating a highly lethal and contagious strain that devastates the human population across the world.

It’s impossible for anyone to accurately predict the risk of such a mutation occurring, but the elements are in place for precisely such a development. Importantly, should such a scenario unfold, vaccines will be totally useless because they only target whatever H1N1 strain was circulating eight months ago!

Remember this: A viral mutation instantly renders all vaccines completely useless.”

So, rather than worry about things, I’m making it my personal aim to ensure that my natural immune levels are as high as possible over the coming months, via a combination of exercise, healthy eating, cleansing and supplements. I don’t think Government can help us – and I certainly don’t trust the Pharmaceutical companies to deliver a “cure”, because viruses, by their very nature, can’t be cured. They simply mutate into something else!

First on the list of supplements I’m taking is a daily dropper of Ocean’s Alive Phytoplankton – which I get from David Wolfe’s excellent SunFood Nutrition website. (Click on the bottle below to read more if you’re interested!)

What do you think? Is Swine Flu something to worry about? Or simply a seasonal scare?

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UK Government Launches Swine Flu TV Advertisment

May 20, 2009

Well, this seems like pretty good advice – for anyone with any kind of flu!

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