High Stress in Olympia WA

At Evergreen Family Chiropractic, patients are always asked about where their stress level is at. Stress plays such a HUGE role in our health in Olympia WA. Everybody experiences stress in one form or another and we all have different ways of handling it. So let's talk about different types of stress and then talk about healthy ways to manage it

What is stress in Olympia WA?

You body has a natural way of preparing itself for upcoming danger. Let's say you are in the woods and you come across Big Foot. Your brain senses something is about to happen and it sends signals to different parts of your body to "get ready because we don't know if Big Foot is a friend or Foe." First your glands begin to release adrenaline and other stress hormones into the blood. These hormones play a big role in your body's reaction. They cause your heart to beat faster in order to supply blood to your muscles. They open your airways and cause you to breath faster to make sure there is enough oxygen in the blood. You're brain becomes more alert and your body is now primed to either fight off Big Foot or run away from him. This is referred to as your "Fight or Flight response."

It doesn't take Big Foot to put your body into a fight or flight mode. There are a million things we face in our everyday life that act as "stressors" that put us into this mode. When we feel over burdened or have a deadline to meet or an exam to study for or maybe an argument with someone we care about; these things put our body into that fight or flight response. It's usually much harder to recover and come out of the fight or flight mode with these types of stressors. We can't just simply leave the woods and find safety. When you are in a fight or flight mode for an extended period of time you will begin to struggle with a lot of symptoms including digestive issues, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, and a decreased immune system. This is why it is so important to understand how to deal with the stressors in your life.

How can I deal with stress?

One of the biggest tricks to get out of the fight or flight mode is to make right any situation that you may have wronged somebody. This is is often overlooked because it takes some swallowing of pride but when there are unresolved issues your brain wants to try and organize it but struggles which then leads to stress. Give it a try!

Other tricks to help over come stress are a little easier. A favorite for many is deep breathing. Take a deep breath, slowly counting to 4 as the air comes in. Hold your breath for a slow count of 2 and then slowly release the air for a 4 count. Hold without air for 2 seconds and then begin to take a deep breath again. Do as many deep breaths as you need until you begin to relax. Be careful to stop if you start to feel a little light headed.

Another great way to deal with stress is making sure your body is capable of handling the stress put on it. At Evergreen Family Chiropractic, we adjust the joints of the body and free up the nervous system to correct any miscommunications between the body and the brain. We can also help to relax your muscles and treat the symptoms of stress. So make an appointment at Evergreen Family Chiropractic in Olympia WA and let us help you return to a more relaxed life.