Stress

We all experience stress from time to time. However prolonged or chronic stress (both biological and psychological) has a detrimental effect on our lives in so many ways. One of the worst physical side effects is the effect of high cortisol levels on the body (which is produced by the adrenal glands when we are under stress). It suppresses the immune system, leads to weight gain, reduces the amount of serotonin produced in the brain which can lead to depression, increases blood pressure, increases blood sugar so the pancreas has to release more insulin to deal with the increase in blood sugar and on and on.

Meditation has been scientifically proven to help with the effects of stress. Noticing our breath has an immediate calming effect on the body, it normalises the heart beat and increases feel good hormones and decreases the stress hormones. It also brings us into the present moment and out of the past and the future where many of our stressful feelings lie. Exercise is also essential, try and take a walk in the sunshine, vitamin D is essential for good health, especially in the winter when it can help in supporting our immune systems against colds and the flu. Eat well, unprocessed foods as close to their natural state as possible. Laugh, laughter really is a very good medicine!

And last but not least use EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) on the reasons and feelings causing your stress. Dissolve and collapse beliefs (which only affect us because they feel true) that no longer serve you with EFT.