Understanding Stress: Its Impact, and the Self-care Practices That Help Alleviate It
It is well studied and researched that stress interferes with the body’s innate intelligence by impacting the nervous and immune systems.
Each of the following types of stress affect the body and mind in different ways, and many people experience multiple types of stress simultaneously. Addressing them holistically is often the most effective approach to stress management.
Common types of stress are typically divided into four main categories:
Physical Stress
This includes stress caused by physical strain on the body such as injury, illness, poor posture, lack of sleep, and overexertion.
Emotional Stress
This arises from internal emotional challenges such as anxiety, fear, sadness, frustration, and anger. Emotional stress is often triggered by relationship issues, low self-esteem, grief, or overwhelming life changes. When emotions are suppressed or denied, they can become stuck, leading to tension, discomfort, or even illness.
Mental or Cognitive Stress
This type of stress results from mental overload, often due to work pressure, decision-making, multitasking, or handling complex problems. It can manifest when people feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities or expectations.
Social Stress
This stress is tied to interactions with others, including conflicts in social relationships, or pressure to conform to social expectations. Changes in family dynamics, job roles, or societal pressures can contribute to social stress.
None of us are exempt from encountering some type(s) of stress. It is critical to acknowledge when we are experiencing high stress levels and seek out self-care practices to make sure the stress does not go unattended for too long.
Prolonged stress can have serious physical, psychological, mental, and emotional effects.
Physical Effects
Cardiovascular problems
Weakened immune system
Digestive Issues
Muscle tension and pain
Sleep disturbances
Psychological and Mental Effects
Cognitive impairment
Anxiety and depression
Burnout
Panic attacks
Substance abuse or addiction
Emotional Effects
Irritability and mood swings
Emotional numbness
Low self-esteem
Relationship issues
Chronic fatigue and hopelessness
Our mission at Live Well Chiropractic is to help others live well by providing an oasis of healing for personal transformation.
We see wellness as an active process of making healthy choices and adopting self-care practices and behaviors that lead to a balanced and fulfilling life. We believe that this encompasses focusing on all aspects of our being (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual).
Our Purple House of Healing strives to promote a holistic approach to well-being by offering services to help people Get Well, Live Well, and Stay Well.
Chiropractic Care
In chiropractic, innate intelligence refers to the body’s inherent ability to heal and maintain itself. Misalignments or subluxations in the spine interfere with the nervous system’s ability to communicate properly with the rest of the body. By adjusting the spine, chiropractors remove these interferences, allowing the body’s innate intelligence to function optimally and promote healing.
Reiki & Meditation
Reiki aligns with the chiropractic view that health is not just physical, but a balance of all aspects of our being, including the mental and emotional states. Reiki balances the life force energy that flows through the chakras (the body’s energy centers), promoting harmony and equilibrium in our overall state of being.
This relaxing energy healing modality reduces stress and anxiety, improves emotional stability, and enhances self-awareness and mental clarity.
Meditation is a practice that trains attention and awareness, which overtime helps people achieve a calmer mental and emotional state of being.
Massage Therapy
Massage helps release built-up tension in muscles, regular massage has been shown to lower cortisol levels, promoting relaxation and well-being. Massage also stimulates blood flow promoting healing and nourishment of tissues. By easing physical discomfort and reducing stress, massage can improve sleep quality. Massage therapy can increase joint flexibility.
Pilates
Pilates focuses on strengthening the core muscles, which supports the spine and improve overall stability. Regular Pilates practice improves body alignment and posture, reducing strain on muscles and joints. Pilates enhances flexibility and muscle tone. By improving strength and balance, Pilates helps prevent injuries, especially related to poor posture and muscular imbalances. In addition, Pilates emphasizes mindful movement, which can improve mental focus and reduce stress.