Stress is a bit of a ‘naughty word’ these days, and is a widespread problem firmly entrenched in our society. If you’re not stressed, then ‘you’re not working hard enough’. But if you are stressed, and have been for a long time, then your body may be starting to break down a bit. What a conundrum!
So what do we do about it?
Firstly, we need to have a look at what Stress actually is:
‘In a medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension. Stresses can be external (from the environment, psychological, or social situations) or internal (illness, or from a medical procedure). Stress can initiate the "fight or flight" response, a complex reaction of neurologic and endocrinologic systems.’ (1)
Your body systems can be under stress even if you’re feeling ‘ok’. Everyone’s definition of ‘ok’ is different, and people have widely varying coping capacities (resilience and the ability to adapt). This is why at Chiro Connect we perform a wide range of tests to assess both subjective stress (how you feel), and objective physiological stress (how you function). We talk about stress a lot- both emotional and physiological, and- like the following video talks about- we understand that improving stress management skills takes a multi-faceted approach. In an ideal world, society’s perception of ‘if you’re not stressed/ busy you’re not working hard enough’ would completely change to a more positive social supportive focus.
So where does chiropractic fit in? As part of a team of support for you and your family, helping to promote improved brain - body communication. Watch this short video to find out more, and talk to us at your next appointment for more information.