Fresh research findings are out for 2010, further linking stress with heart disease and with damaged chromosomes. The evidence that stress is detrimental to health is definitely overwhelming. Still, the research studies give a more in depth understanding of how the damage is being done, which can be used to better apply successful solutions. Natural stress solutions supply lasting relief and promote renewed health.
The European Heart Journal has reported on a study that confirms the link between elevated stress hormones and an increase in the risk of heart disease. There has also been renewed chatter about a November 2004 study, showing how high stress levels affect the body on a cellular level, wearing away and breaking the telomeres (ends) of chromosomes.
Both of these studies verify that stress causes you to age prematurely, and makes you more susceptible to life threatening illness and disease. Stress increases levels of adrenaline and cortisol in the body, and this causes blood clots, which cause heart disease. Stress also causes high blood pressure, which is also a precursor to heart disease. Chronic stress wears down important chromosome telomeres which advances the aging process and causes more susceptibility to tumors and cancer.
“We were astounded,” Blackburn says, “that they were absolutely, consistently showing that the shorter the telomeres were the worse stress people had had. … That said, that these cells … aged much faster than they should have been aging if they had not had that stress.
“It was as though there had been in excess of 10 years of extra aging in these individuals’ blood cells. … And that’s actually an underestimate. That’s a very conservative estimate.”
Although the body is naturally equipped to repair and regenerate, the natural process of aging and the accelerated aging effects of stress do manifest a physical deterioration.
“ The enzyme telomerase restores the length of the telomeres when they get worn and replenishes a portion of the telomeres, allowing the cell to repair itself. As we get older, telomerase production lessens, and consequently our bodies age. As more cells die, the visible effects of aging—diminished eyesight and hearing, wrinkled skin, and loss of muscle—become apparent. ”
Dr. Marc Siegal of the Fox health team has verified that adequate sleep helps reduce stress hormones and that exercise helps to keep the telomeres healthy. Exercise and meditation is the common prescription doctors give for managing stress. Exercise and meditation increase endorphins in the body, bringing pleasure and releasing stress. They also lower blood pressure and improve blood circulation which effectively wards off cardiovascular disease.
Oftentimes, the level of stress in life dominates the frequency of exercise. There is a need for additional protection and counter measures, to address the insurmountable amounts of stress that invade the life process in these modern times. Natural support is supplied by herbs that are adaptogens. Adaptogens provide balance and they boost the body’s ability to manage stress.
Herbs for Stress
Some formidable herbal adaptogens are Siberian Ginseng, Olive leaf and Rhodiola Rosea. They all reduce stress hormones; induce relaxation, and increase clarity and energy. Rhodiola Rosea also stimulates neurotransmitters; namely, serotonin, which enables the body to adapt to stress by stabilizing moods and enhancing feelings of well being. All these herbs provide assistance and relief during times of stress.
The most empowering way to eliminate stress is through the thought process. Your view of life, as it presents itself to you, determines your reaction to it; even on a physiological level. Referring back to the research study on the effect of stress on cell chromosomes, it is revealed that:
“ In the psychological assessment, the mothers took a written test to measure their perception of the intensity of stress in their lives. Again, the study found that those women with higher perceived stress had greater cell aging. Both groups of mothers showed the same relationship between perceived stress and damaged DNA, but the mothers who coped well under stress, as their psychological assessments revealed, who didn’t let it get to them, did not suffer the same level of damage to their telomeres. ”
Stress can be cut off at the root by maintaining a positive attitude, and an inner faith that you can meet life’s challenges with strength and success. This doesn’t mean a denial of real and serious circumstances, but it does require an inner calm and an inner joy that reflects onto all your life experiences. Thoughts do become manifestations. Therefore, you can choose the appropriate thoughts to manifest less stressful circumstances in your life. You can choose to pace yourself. You can choose healthy priorities in your life. You can choose to be resilient if disaster hits. You can choose to address conflict with calm control.
In light of the continual confirmations of the ill effects of stress, protecting yourself from stress is of paramount importance. Natural and effective stress solutions can be incorporated into your life. You can effectively combat and even preempt stress, and live a healthier and more rewarding life.
Stress Relief Products
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This is alarming if true. Today’s world is full of stress and we can’t just avoid it. No matter how we strive to live a stress-free life, it seems to be next to impossible.
Find ways to release your stress…
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Sedona Method, Emotional Freedom Technique, EFT, Release Technique, Lester Levenson
I would also recommend Ashwaghanda as an herb that helps you deal with stress. Consult an Ayurveda Physician before taking these herbs as treatments vary from person to person. Thank you for the post. I found it to be very informative and well put together.
I agree with you Stefan, nearly everyone I know has tons of stress. I will admit it myself, I always get stressed out as I am very competitive. Maybe I should get one of those stress-reliever type of squeeze things!
This kind of info is really useful in these stressful times. I also find camomile tea is a good calming agent, and turmeric tea with ginger might also be of use.
Better brain health will alleviate stress to a great degeree. Working memory training will help restore some of the damage done by cortisol and other hormones which are released under stress.
I take a mixture of Ashwaghanda, bacopa, and Rhodiola Rosea and it really helps – Together with some stress management techniques like Sedona method, CBT and progressive relaxation, I’m recovering from a very stressful situation.