What is Stress?

Stress, whether it is emotional, physical or situational stress, exacts a response from our body. The normal response to stress is often referred to the “fight or flight” response. Our bodies are beautifully prepared to respond to stressors in an effectual way. Chronic stress, the brain’s response to negatively perceived events or situations for a prolonged period over which an individual feels he has no control.

Effects of Chronic Stress

Long-term exposure to stress can lead to serious health problems. Chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in your body. It can suppress the immune system that may lead to increased frequency of colds.  Chronic stress can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disease. It can cause hormone imbalances that can lead to low libido, infertility, and speed up the aging process. Long-term stress can even increase your experience of anxiety and depression.

Balancing Chronic Stress in Your Life

There are many ways we can support our bodies and minds during times of chronic stress.  Some of the more obvious ways we can do this is by 1) eating fresh, organic food that is at least 50% raw (think salads and raw fruits and veggies) 2) getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night 3) reducing the amount of alcohol intake and 4) enjoying some moderate exercise daily e.g. walking, yoga.  Unfortunately, when we are dealing with long-term stress, these suggestions are the hardest to adhere to.  There are many other additional ways that we can help to alleviate and manage stress in our lives.  Massage therapy is a wonderful way to relax the mind and body while helping to rid the body of toxins that disrupt our immune system.  Nutritional supplements and nutritional IVs restore optimal levels of vitamins and minerals to your body that you may not be obtaining from your diet.  Yoga is a superior method for strengthening the body, relaxing the mind, supporting the immune system and detoxing the body- all at the same time!  Guided meditation and hypnosis can help break down internal barriers to healing.

The Team at Bodhi Body can help design a stress-reduction plan for you.  It involves looking at the stress you are exposed to and how you are supporting your body in its attempt to deal with the stressors. Our facility has been designed with you in mind.  Our comfortable rooms and comprehensive therapies will help melt your stress away.  Some of the most common therapies prescribed for stress reduction are: neuromuscular massage, yoga, nutritional therapy (IV and oral), guided meditation and hypnosis, acupuncture, along with a whole host of complete detox therapies.  Our bodies are amazing, resilient machines and can handle moderate amounts of stress beautifully.  But long-term, chronic stress can do a lot of damage.  Assess your stress levels and help support your body as it supports you.

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