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Stress Management Facts: The Things You Need To Learn

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 10:12 pm

Stress management was practically unheard of during the turn of the last two decades. Then suddenly it becomes the most treaded psychological area in the medical community. What are stress management facts really? How would you tell if you are suffering stress? And what can you do about it? Here are some information about stress management facts that you should know about, this 20th century disease of the modern man.

What is Stress?

Stress is defined by many sources as some manifest produced from a physical or psychological stimulus, a fight-or-flight response of the body. The physical stress is often attributed to activities such as in muscle priming in preparation for an energetic activity; for example like the bunching of muscles, the release of adrenaline, the increase of rate of lung and heart activity, the constricting of blood vessels in various parts of the body –all in preparation of a run. But stress DO trigger in the psychological area, which involves an afflicted person’s physiological reaction to a disturbing internal or external stimulus and then triggers an anxiety. Before explaining further, let’s understand more about the Fight-or-Flight Stress Response

The Fight-or-Flight response as described by Walter Cannon (American Physiologist, 1929) is an acute stress response that triggers when animals faces fight-or-flight situations. This sympathetic nervous system discharge primes the animal for control of the situation; one of them is by releasing adrenaline and inhibiting of pain receptors for a fight.

In modern day humans, the “fight-or-flight” stress reaction stimulates itself by the following circumstances: it could be an approaching deadline, a failing project, a crumbling relationship, a death of a family member on an inappropriate time.

Does the Fight-or-Flight Stress affect us in any way?

Yes it does, and it affects a number of things. A number of recent researches had showed that stress becomes a major contributing factor to lowering the immune system and introducing myriads form of physical illnesses such as heavy migraines and insomnias, stroke and its relations, and eczema. And it does contribute largely to mental illnesses like severe depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and general anxiety disorder.

How does it affect us? As your sympathetic nervous system discharges fluids to cope up with stress, it may also do several functions which may not be needed. One of them is releasing fluids that when not used up can cause headaches-migraines then to insomnia. The constriction of several blood vessels alone, plus the liberation of nutrients on your muscles can cause toxins which won’t be released by the body in form of sweat.

Stress Management facts are then a study of techniques that is intended to help people maneuver themselves in and out of these stress periods safely. Stress management facts allow them to channel these buildup of energies which if remained within the body contributes largely to several illnesses.

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Article Source: Stress Management Facts: The Things You Need To Learn

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Does Travel Cause You Back Pain? – Here’s How to Avoid It…

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 10:12 pm

The old saying goes: “Vacations are fun, but traveling is a pain in the neck!” Actually, traveling can be an even bigger pain in the back.

The stress of making plans, packing the essentials, getting to the airport on time, waiting to check in and the whole security scenario really pack a tough one-two psychological punch to the low back.

Then there’s the physical stress and strain of lifting bags, dragging them through the parking lots and airport, carrying all those over-stuffed carry-ons with gifts and paperbacks.

But the number one complaint by plain, train and automobile travelers – when describing the onset of their back pain – is sitting for too long. Airplanes and even trains advertise that their seats were ergonomically designed by specialists to properly support to low back and neck during travel. But I know the one’s I sit in feel horrible. And it’s not only me… people complain about them all the time, and their continuous pain gives them fair reason.

Luckily, the pain associated with travel can be greatly reduced, and in many cases avoided, with these simple tips:

- To reduce stress-induced muscle cramping and pain in the neck, shoulders and low back, it is advisable to plan your trip well in advance, pack two days before, load suitcases in the car the night before, use online check-in to reserve your seat, and check your bags at the curb. These seemingly little things can reduce the stress and anxiety of rushing around, waiting in lines, and dragging bags. If planned and executed well, the low back pain associated with stress can be avoided.

- Only pack what is absolutely necessary for your carry on. Each family member gets one carry on, plus a purse (for ladies). To avoid the neck and shoulder strain of lugging these around, and of trying to place them into and remove them from the overhead compartment, the lighter the better.

- The poor seating designs of most travel vehicles cause back pain due to incorrect support of the spine, and forward pitching of the shoulders. To avoid this, always bring a small pillow, or use one that is offered and place it behind your low back or neck for support. If I can’t find an in-flight pillow to use, I will roll up my jacket or even the inflight magazines, and use them as supports. Seated posture is so important for preventing strain to the spine, and pain to the neck, shoulders and low back that by whatever means… find and use a support.

- Be sure to remain well hydrated during your travel time. One of the most basic, yet common, causes of pain is dehydration. Not having enough fluid in the body to keep the body cool, the blood moving, the muscles supple and the tendons relaxed. Not only must you drink plenty of water, but you must also avoid coffee, tea and soda during travel, as these all cause you to sweat, urinate… to dehydrate.

- If you are taking a long drive, train ride or flight, be sure to get up and move every hour. Simply standing up for a few minutes and doing some light stretching, twisting or bending will help keep you limber, relaxed and the blood moving in and out of the muscles. And when the blood does not move or moves too slowly, the muscles and tendons become tight and painful!

- And lastly, be sure that when lifting bags, holding children and reaching for items that you plant your feet flat for support and bend from the knees. Incorrect lifting or over-reaching for items is one of the most common causes of back pain… and one of the easiest to avoid.

Travel does not have to be as stressful or painful as many of us make it out to be. If we plan well, execute well and take care of our bodies while in transit… the trip will be painless. And what better way to relax on vacation or arrive on business after travel, than stress free, hydrated, supple and… pain free!

Dr Wiley is Editorial Manager at The Healthy Back Institute. For more FREE back pain articles and videos, go to http://www.losethebackpain.com/backpainvideos.html

Article Source: Does Travel Cause You Back Pain? – Here’s How to Avoid It…

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