Some people may show signs of stress in a stressful environment while others thrive. It’s important to understand our individual signs and symptoms of stress so that our physical and mental health isn’t affected. Some people try to hang in and tough out a situation they find stressful because another person in the same situation is thriving. However, everyone’s individual needs are different and stress must be managed.
Research indicates that chronic, unmanaged stress can be one of many factors in the development and/or exacerbation of a wide range of physical and psychological health problems. If you subject 100 people to chronic unmanaged stress, they may not all develop the same stress related disease because of genetic predisposition, exercise levels, diet and stress coping strategies.
Some conditions linked to unmanaged stress include, acne, Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, stomach ulcers, back pain, arthritis, infertility, PMS, asthma, diabetes, drug addiction, herpes, headaches, migraine, epilepsy, ADHD, pain, stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, angina pectoris, increased colds/flu, irritable bowel syndrome, smoking, eczema, slow wound healing, psoriasis, bipolar depression, insomnia, anxiety, depression, alcohol addiction, fibromyalgia.
By understanding your individual and unique signs and symptoms of stress, you can implement self-care strategies, so you can thrive, not simply survive. You’re also helping to ensure that good physical and mental health is maintained. Stress management is about understanding how your body reacts to these pressures and learning how to build your body’s resilience to stress.
For stress management using Indian Head Massage and Reiki, contact Tracy on 086-2202734 or visit www.relaxfromstress.ie
Published in the Connaught Telegraph newspaper on 13 March 2018

Prolonged stress takes its toll on all parts of the body and mind. Stress affects the body in different ways for different individuals. Some feel it more in their muscular system, others feel it in their digestive system while others feel it more in their respiratory system. When one system is affected by stress, it takes its toll on other systems of the body.
High stress levels may cause excessive hair loss and some forms of baldness known as alopecia. Spasmodic pains in the neck and shoulders, musculoskeletal aches, lower back pain and various minor muscular twitches and nervous tics are more noticeable under stress. Stress can cause or aggravate diseases of the digestive tract, including gastritis, stomach and duodenal ulcers, ulcerative colitis and irritable colon.
Some individuals react to stress with outbreaks of skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Stress affects the reproductive system causing menstrual disorders and recurrent vaginal infections in women and impotence and premature ejaculation in men. High levels of mental or emotional stress adversely affect individuals with asthmatic conditions.
Cardiovascular disease and hypertension are linked to accumulated stress. Mouth ulcers and excessive dryness are often a symptom of stress. Stress triggers mental and emotional problems such as insomnia, headaches, personality changes, irritability, anxiety and depression.
Stress management is about understanding how your body reacts to these pressures and learning how to build your body’s resilience to stress.
For stress management using Indian Head Massage and Reiki, contact Tracy on 086-2202734 or visit www.relaxfromstress.ie
Published in the Connaught Telegraph Newspaper on 6 March 2018