© 2008 DW GROUP, LLC
You Think You’re Having a Bad Day?
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© 2008 DW GROUP, LLC
What is Stress?
Stress is our body’s response to anything that makes us feel pressured or threatened
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© 2008 DW GROUP, LLC
The High Cost of Stress
Stress contributes to 50% of all illnesses in the United States . . . maybe more!• 70-80% of all visits to the
doctor are for stress-related and stress-induced illnesses
• Source: Healthy People 2000, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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© 2008 DW GROUP, LLC
Stress produces a physical reaction in our body
Sometimes that's Good . . .
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OUR ANCESTORS' STRESS was primarily PHYSICAL for SURVIVAL
Automatic / Reflex Powerful stress hormones prepared the body for “Fight
or Flight”− Adrenaline and Cortisol− Provided extra strength and energy
When danger passed, they relaxed− Hormone levels returned to normal
HISTORY OF STRESS
Without STRESS, man would have been Dinner!
© 2008 DW GROUP, LLC
Modern Stress: Mostly Mental or Emotional
We create Stress by how we interpret or think about what is happening to or around us
PERPECTIVE IS KEY
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© 2008 DW GROUP, LLC
Anatomy of Stress
Thoughts and emotions produce physical responses that prepare us for “Fight or Flight”
The body responds to MENTAL stress exactly like it responds to LIFE- THREATENING PHYSICAL danger or stress.
The body doesn't know the difference!
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© 2008 DW GROUP, LLC
STRESS HORMONES
Powerful Neurotransmitter Chemicals that carry signals between cells
ADRENALINE– prepares the body for action but designed for short bursts
CORTISOL – increases energy production in response to stress but can lead to weight gain
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© 2008 DW GROUP, LLC
Stress Hormones Affect All Major Body Systems
Respiratory
Digestive
Circulatory
Nervous
Muscular
Skeletal
Immune
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© 2008 DW GROUP, LLC
We Experience a Difficult
Event,
WE FEEL STRESSED
Boom!
ADRENALINE and CORTISOL Start Flowing
Our Head Hurts, Heart Pounds,
We Get Short of Breath
Our Shoulder & Neck Muscles
Tighten
Our Pain Makes Stress Worse,
the Cycle Continues
Stress Response Cycle
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© 2008 DW GROUP, LLC
EFFECTS OF STRESSShort-term Effects
of ADRENALINE:
• Muscles Tense• Breathing
Becomes Rapid• Heart Rate &
Blood Pressure Increase
• Digestion Stops • Mental Alertness
Increases
Long-term Effects of CORTISOL:
• Thins our Bones• Shrinks our Brains• Suppresses our
Immune System• Saps our Energy • Contributes to
Aging!• MAKES US FAT!
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© 2008 DW GROUP, LLC
Reduces Stress
Associated with Serenity & Optimism
Positively affects Sleep, Pain, Appetite, Blood Pressure
Improves Concentration
SEROTONIN – Key Neurotransmitter
The “Feel-good” Chemical
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© 2008 DW GROUP, LLC
Stress Response Cycle
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© 2008 DW GROUP, LLC
"Life is about 20% what happens to us and 80% the way we respond to the events."
- Ted Engstrom
© 2008 DW GROUP, LLC
Exercise-The Other Anti-Depressant
In his comprehensive book, "The Depression Cure," clinical psychologist Stephen Ilardi writes: "Exercise changes the brain. It increases the activity level of important brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin.... Exercise also increases the brain's production of a key growth hormone called BDNF. Because levels of this hormone plummet in depression, some parts of the brain start to shrink over time, and learning and memory are impaired. But exercise reverses this trend, protecting the brain in a way nothing else can. Aerobic exercise can be as effective at relieving mild and moderate depression as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Prozac and Zoloft).”
© 2008 DW GROUP, LLC
Shoulder Rotations
Synovial Fluid
Warm up our joints as well as our muscles
Never stretch a cold muscle
© 2008 DW GROUP, LLC
Keep Breathing!
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© DW GROUP, LLC 2008