7 minute read
Health
Managing stress
While most people know how important it is to eat well and exercise, stress, and how it affects our health, is a topic that isn’t discussed much. Dr Marissa Kelaher says it’s a huge issue - with up to 80% of visits to family doctors being for stress-related causes.
Chronic stress is associated with a higher risk of many health issues, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, weight gain, digestive problems, autoimmune disease, allergies, dementia and more. And while some stress is inevitable, learning to manage it can be a powerful way to improve our health - it’s proven to reduce the need for doctor’s visits, blood tests, and even x-rays. One study from the US showed that people who completed an eight week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course had a 50% lower rate of emergency department and GP visits, and an 80% lower rate of hospital admissions, for up to a year after completing it. (PMID: 25662520) We need a certain level of stress to stay healthy as this helps our body fight off infection, heal from injuries, and perform. But when stress gets out of balance issues can arise.
Our nervous system is highly complex, but in simple terms consists of two opposing systems: Our ‘fight flight fright or fawn’ system. This is activated when we’re under stress, it triggers the release of stress hormones, speeds up our breathing and heart rate, raises blood pressure, makes senses hyper aware, and shuts down digestion and reproduction. Our ‘rest, digest and breed’ system. This is activated when the stress goes away, and counteracts the stress response, telling our body we’re safe, and to start recovering. We need both of these to stay well, yet in modern society, constant ‘micro stresses’ mean we end up staying in fight or flight mode and never get time to rest and recover.
This can lead to all the symptoms of burnout and chronic stress - fatigue, recurrent infections, muscle pain, headaches, brain fog, poor sleep, ‘tired but wired’, gut issues, unintended weight gain, lack of libido and even fertility issues. The good news is, there are so many simple and effective ways to help get us back into a state of calm and healing. But it’s vital to take a whole person approach - just popping supplements doesn’t get to the root cause.
Most of these strategies focus on building stress resilience, which calms our nervous system, tells our body and mind we’re safe, and boosts our ability to cope with stress. Research shows that our response to stress is far more important than the stress itself in most situations! Spending time in nature, exercise, diaphragmatic breathing, yoga, mindfulness, meditation, gratitude practicing, physical touch, flow state, and connecting with others are all great proven ways to reduce our stress response.
Dr Marissa Kelaher is a GP and lifestyle medicine doctor. She runs health courses and offers one-on-one consults at yourlifestylemedics.com
Patient comfort sole focus for anaesthesia specialist
Clinical Director of Anaesthesia at Tasman Day Surgery (TDS), Dr Jonathan Panckhurst, discusses his passion for the medical sector, building strong relationships and the importance of an anaesthetist’s role in the medical field.
Highly-qualified specialists with unique clinical knowledge and skills, anaesthetists provide sedation and anaesthesia care for a wide range of procedures. After training in New Zealand as a doctor, Dr Panckhurst then completed a six-year specialist training programme through the Australia and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, widely regarded as one of the best in the world. He says he loves Nelson, “My wife and I value raising our family here. Taking on the role of clinical director of anaesthesia with Tasman Day Surgery is a natural extension of our commitment to this region.” Building relationships with patients and their whānau drives Dr Panckhurst’s passion for his role. Anaesthetists work across all areas of a hospital, he says, and it is a specialty that is rooted in strong relationships. “When I am looking after someone, they are my sole focus, getting my full attention and care. We have a great overview and ability to add value to people’s healthcare outcomes. Be it from working with a patient to ensure they are in the best possible shape before their procedure, to maximising their safety and comfort on the day of their surgery and on into their recovery. I always appreciate that our patients feel comfortable being really open about any concerns or anxieties around their anaesthesia care. By doing so we can ensure that we focus on their specific needs.” The patient-first mentality of TDS, and drive to be more sustainable, truly resonates with Dr Panckhurst, and he says patients have always been at the centre of everything they do. “We have an excellent team using excellent equipment and we are constantly looking to improve wherever possible. An example of this is our work with Fisher and Paykel Healthcare on oxygen delivery systems. I am also proud of our initiative to reduce waste and harmful ozone pollutants. Amongst anaesthetic gases, desflurane and nitrous oxide are the most harmful for our environment and there are better alternatives for patients. Because our Day Surgeries are committed to the safety of our patients and our environment, and in a first for any hospital in the Top of the South, neither of these harmful gases are being used at TDS.”
Developed with the simple philosophy of providing high quality, patient centered day stay care to our community in the top of the south.
Our team of caring health professionals will support your health journey every step of the way. Contact us directly to make an appointment with one of our specialists or visit your GP for a referral. Please check out our website for our specialists.
341 Lower Queen Street, Richmond 0800 827 329 | enquiries@tasmandaysurgery.co.nz www.tasmandaysurgery.co.nz
Owners of Common Ground Reformer Pilates Studio Jess Dasler and Kate Churcher.
Reformer pilates in Richmond
You’ll get an instant, welcoming feel when you walk through the door at Common Ground Reformer Pilates Studio. Owners Jess Dasler and Kate Churcher, worked as kindergarten teachers for ten years before being inspired to find greater balance in their lives, and trained to become qualified pilates instructors.
How did you discover pilates?
Jess: I have always loved moving my body in ways that make me feel good. After injuring my back as a gymnast, my physiotherapist recommended pilates to support my rehab and it had a wonderful impact on my recovery. Kate: I discovered reformer pilates in Australia and loved that it was low impact on my body, yet challenged my strength, flexibility, endurance and, most importantly, it was super fun.
What was the training like to become a pilates instructors?
Kate: The training was awesome. We loved learning about anatomy and the biomechanics of the body alongside the pilates principles which guides our teaching.
What is reformer pilates?
Jess: The pilates method was invented by Joseph Pilates in the 1920’s. He believed strongly in the use of breath work and correct alignment to move the body through strength-based workouts. He created the reformer machine using a system of springs and pulleys for resistance to rehabilitate injured soldiers in World War I. When he moved to the USA, the pilates movement really took off.
What has been the reaction to you setting up your studio in the heart of Richmond?
Jess: We have had an overwhelmingly positive response from people of all ages and abilities. It fills us with so much joy hearing stories of how much better our members are feeling both physically and mentally as a result. The great thing is, there are modifications and variations available to suit everyone. Kate: We have people coming to us with many different stories. From athletes to parents seeking a moment of self-care; to those working with medical practitioners for injuries along with people who want to build strength and feel great in their body. Pilates supports alignment through mindful movement alongside breath work, which helps to reduce stress.
How many people can you have in a class?
Jess: We offer small group classes with maximum of seven. There are also options of private classes for individuals, friends, or small groups. Everyone is welcome.
