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Fit Links: Feel good, naturally
As fabulous as we at That's Fit think this blog is, the truth is there are hundreds of wonderful blogs on healthy living to be seen all over the blogosphere. So in this feature, Fit Links, we'll introduce you to some that have caught our eye.We recently learned that for some people, group exercise works as well as anti-depressants in relieving the symptoms of depression. Though you should always talk to your health professional before making any changes to your treatment program, there have been a few interesting blog posts out there that talk about how to create a better mood without medication.
Over at Mark's Daily Apple, there are 10 tips to boost your serotonin levels, while eDiets has an excellent article on 10 ways to reduce anxiety. And if stress is your major mood-buster, check out Good Housekeeping's 7 ways to a less stressful life. The best part about these tips is that not only may they ward off stress, anxiety, and depression, but if you're already being treated for a condition, they can complement your treatment program.
Life Fit with Laura Lewis: Check your stress
Life Fit ... Mind. Body. And More.Being Life Fit is about your total health, including the health of all of your relationships. Life Fit is a journey, not a destination. It is a process of continuous growth: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Check in each Tuesday to Life Fit with Laura Lewis, author of "52 Ways To A Healthy You," as we explore our total life fitness. Then, weigh in with your own thoughts over at Laura's "Life Fit Chat" each Wednesday through Friday for further discussion on the week's topic. For more information visit Laura at www.LauraLewis.com.
Did you know ...The more people are stressed out, the less likely they are to be aware of the amount of stress they are under. The human being responds to stress as he or she would have thousands of years ago. When survival was the name of the game, he or she either fought with or ran away from the cause of danger. For example, if you were faced with an angry, hungry saber-toothed tiger that happened to be looking at you as if you were the main course, your stress response would naturally go full throttle!
Why don't zebras get ulcers? Or heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases when people do? According biologist Robert Sapolsky in his book, Why Don't Zebras Get Ulcers: An Updated Guide to Stress Related Diseases, and Coping, people develop such diseases partly because our bodies are not designed for the constant stresses of a modern-day life such as sitting traffic jams or growing up in poverty. Rather, they seem more built for the kind of short-term stress faced by a zebra, the zebra cortisol or stress level shoots through the roof, but thereafter it returns to normal once the threat is gone. Our bodies act like we are being under attack each time we experience a stressful event.
Physically speaking: Your hypothalamus, which is located at the base of your brain, is also known as the "master controller" of stress. It notifies the rest of your body to go on "full alert." In other words, get ready to fight or run! This is scientifically referred to as the "fight or flight" response. Your adrenaline output increases, which gives you abundant energy to deal with the "stressor" or immediate cause of stress.
Your heart rate increases, your breathing becomes shallow, and your blood pressure rises. Any available sugar or glucose, also known as glycogen, is released from your liver into your bloodstream to serve as a source of extra energy. And to make matters a little more demanding, all or your muscles get tense, except for the muscles in your bladder and rectum ... they relax. What would be the outcome of the hungry tiger encounter? You would probably find yourself at the top of the closest tree, heart racing, body on full alert, and in dire need of a restroom!
Meanwhile in the present time: So what happens today with this inborn mechanism to deal with stress? Your body reacts to modern-day stress the very same way it did thousands of years ago. What is different is the outcome of the stressful event. You ran from the tiger, expending a great deal of energy, using the extra adrenaline and blood sugar floating around in your system. Today, when you are stressed, you normally don't respond by getting involved in a fist fight with your boss, or jogging five miles thirty minutes before you get married. Remember, your reaction to stress also increases your blood pressure, heart rate and respiration. With your number of stressors you encounter in our stress-filled society, as compared to less complicated days gone by, it is no wonder the rates of physical and emotional illness have escalated. The link between optimal health and your ability to deal with stress go hand in hand.
Stress spells trouble: Some people thrive on stress. Their ability to cope with a stressful event or situation might be much better than another more sensitive individual. If you are not able to nip the stress in the bud with some form of stress reduction technique, whether it is learned or innate, your immune system will suffer. Your hypothalamus will continue to dictate to the rest of the body, including the adrenal glands that it is still on high alert. Your adrenal glands not only produce adrenaline, but also send out chemicals designed to repair tissues that might have been damaged in y our encounter with the tiger! However, the proper functioning of your immune system is suppressed due to this redirection of energy. So, when you are stressed, your body's infection-fighting capabilities are lowered.
Action Tips
Did you know ...The more people are stressed out, the less likely they are to be aware of the amount of stress they are under. The human being responds to stress as he or she would have thousands of years ago. When survival was the name of the game, he or she either fought with or ran away from the cause of danger. For example, if you were faced with an angry, hungry saber-toothed tiger that happened to be looking at you as if you were the main course, your stress response would naturally go full throttle!
Why don't zebras get ulcers? Or heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases when people do? According biologist Robert Sapolsky in his book, Why Don't Zebras Get Ulcers: An Updated Guide to Stress Related Diseases, and Coping, people develop such diseases partly because our bodies are not designed for the constant stresses of a modern-day life such as sitting traffic jams or growing up in poverty. Rather, they seem more built for the kind of short-term stress faced by a zebra, the zebra cortisol or stress level shoots through the roof, but thereafter it returns to normal once the threat is gone. Our bodies act like we are being under attack each time we experience a stressful event.
Physically speaking: Your hypothalamus, which is located at the base of your brain, is also known as the "master controller" of stress. It notifies the rest of your body to go on "full alert." In other words, get ready to fight or run! This is scientifically referred to as the "fight or flight" response. Your adrenaline output increases, which gives you abundant energy to deal with the "stressor" or immediate cause of stress.
Your heart rate increases, your breathing becomes shallow, and your blood pressure rises. Any available sugar or glucose, also known as glycogen, is released from your liver into your bloodstream to serve as a source of extra energy. And to make matters a little more demanding, all or your muscles get tense, except for the muscles in your bladder and rectum ... they relax. What would be the outcome of the hungry tiger encounter? You would probably find yourself at the top of the closest tree, heart racing, body on full alert, and in dire need of a restroom!
Meanwhile in the present time: So what happens today with this inborn mechanism to deal with stress? Your body reacts to modern-day stress the very same way it did thousands of years ago. What is different is the outcome of the stressful event. You ran from the tiger, expending a great deal of energy, using the extra adrenaline and blood sugar floating around in your system. Today, when you are stressed, you normally don't respond by getting involved in a fist fight with your boss, or jogging five miles thirty minutes before you get married. Remember, your reaction to stress also increases your blood pressure, heart rate and respiration. With your number of stressors you encounter in our stress-filled society, as compared to less complicated days gone by, it is no wonder the rates of physical and emotional illness have escalated. The link between optimal health and your ability to deal with stress go hand in hand.
Stress spells trouble: Some people thrive on stress. Their ability to cope with a stressful event or situation might be much better than another more sensitive individual. If you are not able to nip the stress in the bud with some form of stress reduction technique, whether it is learned or innate, your immune system will suffer. Your hypothalamus will continue to dictate to the rest of the body, including the adrenal glands that it is still on high alert. Your adrenal glands not only produce adrenaline, but also send out chemicals designed to repair tissues that might have been damaged in y our encounter with the tiger! However, the proper functioning of your immune system is suppressed due to this redirection of energy. So, when you are stressed, your body's infection-fighting capabilities are lowered.
Action Tips
- Exercise daily. People who exercise moderately are more physically able to deal with stress than those who do not workout at all.
- Try relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga and biofeedback and incorporate them into your daily life.
- Get an aromatherapy massage.
- Take five minute "breathing breaks" and laugh it off.
- Drink herbal tea. Do nothing else but sit and sip.
