Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM May 2020 | Page 22

DR. SERGE GREGOIRE, PH.D, CCH Functional Medicine Doctor 281-616-3816 [email protected] www.nutrition-houston.com UNDERSTANDING different kinds of STRESS your IMMUNE SYSTEM! I t’s no surprise that stress can take a toll on both your physical and mental health. While we can’t avoid stress altogether, understanding that there are different kinds of stress can help you determine which one you’re dealing with at any given time so you can better manage it. The American Psychological Association (APA) recognizes that there are three main types of stress: acute, episodic acute, and chronic. 1. Acute stress Acute stress can be defined as stress that is momentary or short term, and it’s often brought on by high-stress, such as public speaking or being summoned into the boss’s office. Signs of acute stress can be strong emotions, tense muscles, increased heart rate, a quickening of your breath, and feeling lightheaded or like you might faint. Our bodies have been designed from an evolutionary standpoint to respond to this type of stress as a survival mechanism. When dealing with acute stress, the first step is just to recognize that your body is in a state of stress. Notice your physical symptoms; if you feel agitated and your heart rate is up, try to ease yourself into a quieter state. Doing something active at first, like taking a walk, and then slowing down from there, listening to some of your favorite music, perform a mindful breathing routine, can help coax your body and mind away from the fight-or- flight response that is acute stress and calm you into a more relaxed mindset. 2. Episodic acute stress Episodic acute stress is marked by recurring, intensely stressful events. This can result from impossibly tight deadlines at work or caring for a loved one who is sick, people who feel like they are moving from one crisis to another are dealing with episodic acute stress. Symptoms of episodic acute stress are similar to acute stress, but 20 MOMENTUM they take a more persistent toll on the body due to their increased frequency. Dealing with episodic acute stress often requires a change of routine, at least for the time being. Taking a look at areas of your life that are stressful and determining where you can make any adjustments. Are there any commitments that you can drop for now? Is there anyone in your support network you can reach out to for help getting something done? One thing that you shouldn’t be dropping is your self-care routine: Exercising, eating nourishing foods, and prioritizing sleep is essential for anyone who’s going through a prolonged period of stress. And while they may feel good in the moment, self-medicating behaviors like drinking alcohol or bingeing on sugar can make it more difficult for the body to recover in the end. 3. Chronic stress The APA defines chronic stress as constant stress experienced over a prolonged period of time. It stems from long-term persistent stressors, like worries over money, unhappy marriages, abusive relationships, racism, trauma, and war. Chronic stress leaves the body persistently flooded with stress-related hormones, which can lead to other physical and emotional health concerns, such as trouble sleeping, reduced immune function, and can have a negative effect on cardiovascular health, as well as anxiety and depression. To help cope with chronic stress, the APA recommends tactics such as setting limits to all projects and commitments that make you feel overwhelmed; tapping into your support system and welcoming their support and guidance; making one health-related commitment like cutting back on caffeine consumption or increasing aerobic activity. And again, it’s always important to eat well and prioritize sleep. There are some products or herbs that can be utilized to support your body in moment of stress such as ashwagandha, St-John’s wort, CBD, magnesium, chamomile, lavender, valerian, passionflower, among others. Stress is an unavoidable part of life, and while not all stress is bad, too much is unhealthy. Since there are different types of stress, it’s helpful to know which you might be dealing with at any given time in order to manage it and maintain a more fulfilling life.