Women and Stress by Deahni Kipnis
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[YLZZ PZ KLÄULK HZ H ZWLJPÄJ YLsponse by the body to a stimulus that disturbs or interferes with its normal physiological balance. In our fast paced complex world where more is demanded of us, it is easy to see how fast we can go off kilter. Women are more deeply affected by the physical, mental and emotional effects of stress than men. This is because our brains and hormones operate and respond differently to stimulus. Occasional stress is more easily managed but prolonged stress has a greater negative affect on our physical, mental and emotional health and it is extremely ^VY[O^OPSL [V ÄUK Z\WWVY[ [V LHZL [OL daily stress many of us experience. Research has shown that 75 - 90 percent of visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related complaints. According to the National Women’s Health Information Center, the effects of stress on women’s physical and emotional health are extensive. Whether you experience being blue 52
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or irritable, or more serious challenges like depression, your emotional health suffers when there’s stress in your life. Women are better than their male counterparts at hiding some emotions like anger and aggressiveness because the parts of their brains responsible for these emotions are larger than men’s, but depression strikes women twice as often. Although we may be better at hiding it, we still feel anger, aggression, frustration and annoyance. Stress affects our mental abilities, making it harder to concentrate and think clearly. It interferes with good decision-making. It makes it harder to be effective in your responsibilities at home and at work. Physically, emotional and mental stress has a huge impact on our bodies; from stomach ailments, eating disorders (10 times more common in women than in men), heart disease, skin reactions, sleep problems, and lowered immune response to name just a few. There is physical stress like
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breaking a bone or being challenged with illness and disease that also impacts us emotionally and mentally. The issues of stress are compounded because stress can act like the domino effect in our lives; there never is just one effect. All this might seem overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. There are many nontoxic holistic ways to ease stress in our lives. The way we perceive our stress is [OL ÄYZ[ WH[O [V H YLTLK` You can improve your physical wellbeing and, in turn, your emotional and mental health by eating healthier just making small changes. Eat more fresh food and less processed foods. It’s just a choice each time you select what you eat. No shame or blame. Keep making better choices whenever you can. Research shows that getting active can lift your spirits and increase the release of endorphins, a natural chemical associated with mood. Make it easy. Choose to move. Before you get out of bed start stretching your body. Put on a song you love and take a few dance breaks during the day. Just move more. And remember, you can overdo exercise. Studies are now showing that too much exercise can have a detrimental impact on the body adding to our stress. Find ways to relax that you enjoy. Maybe it’s connecting with family and friends and people with whom you are comfortable. Rediscover favorite hobbies or try something new. Recent studies show that knitting and needlepoint are stress reducing. Do what you love to do. There are exciting innovations that help promote well being through releasing stress that are non-toxic, non-invasive and effective. There are salt rooms (Halotherapy), immersion tanks, Light and Sound therapies, brain re-balancing technologies and Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field therapy to name a few. InvestiNH[L H SP[[SL @V\ TH` ÄUK ZVTL[OPUN UL^ that works to help you reduce your stress and enhance your health and well being. Deahni Kipnis is the Founder & CEO of VigorMe, a Stress Relief Center (Intracoastal Mall, 3749 N.E. 163 St., North Miami Beach). She holds an MA in Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies and has been a Healing Practitioner for over 25 years. For information call 305-3333315. See ad, page 5,