10/8/2012 6:40:00 PM by Creating Infinite Success
We may want to release excess weight or even just to reduce cortisol levels, yet when we’re stressed; the weight tends to stay stuck. High cortisol levels from stress may block weight-loss, especially around the belly area. Many people’s prominent issue is with their inability to reduce belly fat. When understanding the mind-body approach, however, it’s not just about food; it’s about a lifestyle. However, let’s first look at the statistics and see where you might fit in the stress picture.
The statistics related to stress are staggering. Depending on the various research studies, it is estimated that between 85-95% of Doctors visits are stress-related. The physical repercussions may be found in the heart disease, diabetes and cancers that are prevalent in our society. Chronic stress may also lead to hypertension, eating disorders, depression and a susceptibility to other more common physical illnesses.
The Word Health Organization has identified job-related stress as a world-wide epidemic. Statistics Canada calculates $12 million to be the annual cost of work time lost to stress. Other less obvious results of workplace stress are anger, hopelessness and frustration. 34% of Canadians who have health plans in place have felt so overwhelmed by their demands that they became physically ill. Only 32% of wellness initiatives are currently being offered in stress management arenas in corporate settings.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects 5.2 million adults and approximately 30% of war veterans. Many people affected by this disorder are not aware of having it and believe they are affected by the usual stressors of their hectic lives. PTSD is the re-experiencing of a past traumatic event throughout their day, nightmare experiences or during a flashback. It could be distress over current events that resemble or symbolize the initial trauma. It is difficult for those dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder to feel vital, joy and present in their daily lives.
Let’s not forget our youth. The National Institute of Mental Health sited that suicide was the 3rd leading cause of death among young people aged 15-24 years of age. A study was performed to identify how stress was significant in determining the teen suicidal tendencies. It was sad to see that 32.8% said they felt that no one cared or understood them; 30.4% felt like they were falling apart and going to pieces; 29.4% felt hopeless about their future; 27.8% stated that they felt useless and not needed and 23.9% felt that there was no one to turn to when things were at their worst. No wonder that 16% felt that life was not worth living and 11.9% had been thinking of ways to kill themselves.
Many people deal with stress by using food, generally starchy carbohydrates that raise serotonin levels and give a dose of feel-good hormones for a short period of time. Unfortunately, the feeling doesn’t last, and what’s worse, the guilt increases for those people who are doing their best to release excess weight. It’s so much more difficult getting to a healthy weight when stressors are high.
How are you dealing with stress in your life? Understand that it starts from the inside out: your nutritional choices, your thinking processes, your emotional tendencies, your relationships with others and your spiritual connections all contribute to either raising or lowering your stress levels. How about lifestyle balance; do you tend to take on too much and not know how to say no? Perhaps it is time to say no to the “disease to please”.
Consider making 2 lists: one list of things that are stressful in your life, and a second list of things that reduce your stress. Are you taking care of yourself, being loving and finding time to relax and unwind? Do you meditate on a daily basis? Do you have a fitness program that you’re following? Begin today to pay attention to how you move, think and experience your day.
Also, if you find yourself thinking of a loved one that you know would benefit from this information, please feel free to pass it on. Let’s work together to reduce stress and the health challenges that might accompany it.
Remember to live from a place of purpose and a place of joy.
Be Well.
http://personalnutritionconsultant.com/the-stats-on-stress/