Back Talk: Fall Returns – and So Does Stress

Dr. Karl Schwartz

Welcome to fall! As a kid, I never thought I’d actually look forward to September and the beginning of fall. Then, September was the return to early rising, long days at school, studying, testing, learning, all while being in the pool six to seven days per week for swim team practice. It was a grueling schedule but it was the foundation for my adult life to follow.

September is also rife with new stressors for parents, particularly getting the kids back to school and on track with their studies and daily routines. For other parents, perhaps they are stressed getting a child ready for their first year of college. Of course, all of these returning and new situations create stress on both sides, for the parents and the kids.

So, what can we do to alleviate these stressors? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. First, we must be aware that we are entering into a busy time of the year. A well-thoughtout plan can facilitate new ventures; preparation and planning are musts for minimizing daily stress for both old and young alike.

Remember that all work and no play make Johnny or Joanie a dull boy or girl. Everyone should take some time daily to rest and recharge. I used to do all my work, and then reward myself with some time outside or hanging out with friends. There are many additional ways to relax: yoga, stretching, resistance or weight training, partaking in any sport you like, walking the dog, bicycling, hiking, or rollerblading. Pretty much any activity that you do in the great outdoors will help to decrease your stress and increase your energy. This will also prepare your body and mind for the following day. Our bodies need activity to encourage our bodies into deeper, more restorative sleep. If your dog exhibits too much indoor hostility, getting it outdoors to run or move will improve its attitude or demeanor. The same is true with adolescents, teens, and adults. We must have balance in our lives. If we are spending most of our time working our minds, we must also balance that with physical activity, preferably outdoors.

All stress that we experience in our lives is manifested in our brain and expressed in our nervous system. If not handled appropriately, these stressors can cause dysfunction in our bodies, muscular systems, and eventually in our organ systems. The easiest way to neutralize this stress and to maximize our health is to get our spines checked monthly. Spinal adjustments help to decrease pressure on nerves and optimize our body’s health. Has your family had their spinal check-ups this month?

Dr. Karl Schwartz is a graduate of Life University in Marietta, Georgia; he has been practicing chiropractic in Tucker for twenty-one years and a resident here for fifteen years. His office specializes in preventing sports injuries and maximizing performance by analyzing posture, weight bearing, and gait. If you have a question you would like addressed in a future column, please email karlschwartzdc@gmail. com. Note “Back Talk” in the subject line.