becoming an expert on yourself.
Short-term bursts of stress are not necessarily bad; in fact, they can trigger chemicals that can improve your memory, increase your energy, and cause you to become more alert and productive. If you're a zebra, and a hungry lion is chasing you across the savanna, the resulting adrenaline makes you run faster, think quicker, and swiftly remember how you saved your skin the last time.
However, zebras, and most other mammals for that matter, don't suffer chronic stress the way humans do. Once the zebra escapes from the lion, his stress is over (until the next predator comes along). Zebras don't have mortgages, traffic jams, or unpaid overtime. They don't worry about paying the bills, getting sick, or being accepted into a good college. Experts say it's chronic stress that is such a threat to human health.
Chronic stress -- living under stressful conditions for long periods of time -- can have a profoundly negative impact on your body.
"A critical shift in medicine has been the recognition that many of the damaging diseases of slow accumulation can either be caused or made far worse by stress," writes Robert M. Sapolsky, author of the critically acclaimed Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers. "Stress can wreak havoc with your metabolism, raise your blood pressure, burst your white blood cells, make you flatulent, ruin your sex life, and if that's not enough, possibly damage your brain."
However, zebras, and most other mammals for that matter, don't suffer chronic stress the way humans do. Once the zebra escapes from the lion, his stress is over (until the next predator comes along). Zebras don't have mortgages, traffic jams, or unpaid overtime. They don't worry about paying the bills, getting sick, or being accepted into a good college. Experts say it's chronic stress that is such a threat to human health.
Chronic stress -- living under stressful conditions for long periods of time -- can have a profoundly negative impact on your body.
"A critical shift in medicine has been the recognition that many of the damaging diseases of slow accumulation can either be caused or made far worse by stress," writes Robert M. Sapolsky, author of the critically acclaimed Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers. "Stress can wreak havoc with your metabolism, raise your blood pressure, burst your white blood cells, make you flatulent, ruin your sex life, and if that's not enough, possibly damage your brain."
Stress and Heart Disease
Stress increases the pumping action and rate of the heart while simultaneously causing the arteries to constrict, thereby restricting blood flow to the heart. The emotional effects of stress alter the heart rhythms, which can pose a risk for serious arrhythmias in some people. Stress causes blood to become thicker and stickier, increasing the likelihood of artery-clogging blood clots. Stress also impairs the clearance of fat molecules in the body, raising blood cholesterol levels. In women, chronic stress may reduce estrogen levels, which are important for cardiac health. Stress is also associated with increases in blood pressure and the development of hardening of the arteries.
A study reported in the European Heart Journal focused on more than 10,000 British civil servants found that under-50s who suffered chronic stress had a 68 per cent higher risk of heart disease than those who were not stressed at work.
Lead researcher Dr Tarani Chandola, of University College London, said: "During 12 years of follow up, we found that chronic work stress was associated with CHD and this association was stronger both among men and women aged under 50".
Immune Disorders
Chronic stress not only makes people more vulnerable to catching illnesses but can also impair their immune system's ability to respond to its own anti-inflammatory signals that are triggered by certain hormones, say researchers, possibly altering the course of an inflammatory disease. This finding is reported on the Health Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association (APA).
Most people with an autoimmune disorder know that stress is capable of triggering their disorder and worsening symptoms. Few people, however, realize that our immune systems must deal with several different types of stress on a daily basis.
Many autoimmune diseases such eczema, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are aggravated by stress. While short-term stress appears to have no relationship to multiple sclerosis, chronic stress does appear to be a major risk factor for flare-ups.
Gastrointestinal Problems
The brain and the intestine are strongly related and mediated by many of the same hormones and nervous system. It is not surprising then that prolonged stress can disrupt the digestive system, irritating the large intestine and causing diarrhea, constipation, cramping, bloating, and gas. Chronic stress is known to play a significant role in the development of irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, and colitis.
Diabetes
Chronic stress has been associated with the development of insulin-resistance, a condition in which the body is unable to use insulin effectively to regulate glucose (blood sugar). Insulin resistance is a primary factor in the development of Type II diabetes. Stress exacerbates diabetes by raising blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which regulates insulin and blood-sugar levels.
Diabetics who are chronically stressed experience much more erratic blood sugar readings through the day and have greater difficulty in stabilizing their blood sugar levels through diet and medications alone.
Stroke
One survey revealed that men who had a more intense response to stressful situations, such as waiting in line or problems at work, were more likely to have strokes than those who did not report such distress. In some people prolonged or frequent mental stress causes an exaggerated increase in blood pressure. In fact, a 2001 study has linked for the first time a higher risk for stroke in adult Caucasian men and elevated blood pressure during times of stress.
Asthma & Allergies
Stress is a common asthma trigger. Stress and anxiety sometimes make you feel short of breath and may cause your asthma symptoms to become worse.
In a study of 189 adults with asthma, researchers found that those who had experienced a larger than average number of negative events in the previous years tended to experience worsening asthma symptoms, poorer emotional well-being and more worries over their health.
Also new study shows that even slight stress and anxiety can substantially worsen a person's allergic reaction to some routine allergens.
Moreover, the added impact of stress and anxiety seem to linger, causing the second day of a stressed person's allergy attack to be much worse.
Sexual and Reproductive Dysfunction
Sexual Function. Stress can lead to diminished sexual desire and an inability to achieve orgasm in women. Stress response can also cause temporary impotence in men.
Premenstrual Syndrome. Some studies indicate that the stress response in women with premenstrual syndrome may be more intense than in those without the syndrome.
Fertility. Stress may even affect fertility. Stress hormones have an impact on the hypothalamus gland, which produces reproductive hormones.
Effects on Pregnancy. Stress may cause physiologic alterations, such as increased adrenal hormone levels or resistance in the arteries, which may interfere with normal blood flow to the placenta. Maternal stress during pregnancy has been linked to a higher risk for miscarriage, lower birth weights, and increased incidence of premature births. Some evidence also suggests that stress experienced by expectant mothers can even influence the way in which the baby's brain and nervous system will react to stressful events.
Depression
The cause of depression is not entirely clear. However, it's believed that both genetic and environmental factors, such as stress, may play a role.
Some people are more vulnerable to stress because of their personality characteristics or temperament. Persistent or chronic stress has the potential to put vulnerable individuals at a substantially increased risk of depression, anxiety and many other emotional difficulties. Scientists have noted that changes in brain function - in the areas of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland - may play a key role in stress-induced emotional problems.
Anxiety and Panick Attacks
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension or fear. The source of this uneasiness is not always known or recognized, which can add to the distress you feel. The persons may constantly feel butterflies in their stomach, palpitations, sickness or headaches. Sleep problems are also common and there may be endless health worries.
The situation is often made worse by stress (such as work), noise (even at home) and relationship problems.
Anxiety disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions that involve excessive anxiety. They include generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social phobia where severe or long-lasting feelings interfere with every day life.
LIFE WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS
A chronic illness is one that lasts for a very long time and usually there is the perception that cannot be cured completely. Examples of chronic illnesses include diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, kidney disease, HIV/AIDS, lupus, and multiple sclerosis.
Being diagnosed with a new illness and going through treatment can be an overwhelming event. Chronic illness increases your physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges, as well as your stress. Small, seemingly insignificant delays or problems can be overwhelming when you live with chronic pain and illness.
If you had been a healthy, active person and develop a chronic illness, the symptoms can create havoc in your life. Your inability to engage in activities you once enjoyed can cause you to become frustrated, angry, worried, or depressed. Your inability to meet the needs of your children, spouse, job, or community may contribute to a sense of inadequacy and worthlessness. Your friends may start to distance themselves. You may lose your job or marriage, causing you to feel a lot of stress and emotional pain and as we have seen above that stress can negatively impact your health and exacerbate your symptoms becoming a vicious cycle.
Learning to prevent stress and to stop its vicious cycle could be one of the most significant steps you can take in managing your health.
Stress increases the pumping action and rate of the heart while simultaneously causing the arteries to constrict, thereby restricting blood flow to the heart. The emotional effects of stress alter the heart rhythms, which can pose a risk for serious arrhythmias in some people. Stress causes blood to become thicker and stickier, increasing the likelihood of artery-clogging blood clots. Stress also impairs the clearance of fat molecules in the body, raising blood cholesterol levels. In women, chronic stress may reduce estrogen levels, which are important for cardiac health. Stress is also associated with increases in blood pressure and the development of hardening of the arteries.
A study reported in the European Heart Journal focused on more than 10,000 British civil servants found that under-50s who suffered chronic stress had a 68 per cent higher risk of heart disease than those who were not stressed at work.
Lead researcher Dr Tarani Chandola, of University College London, said: "During 12 years of follow up, we found that chronic work stress was associated with CHD and this association was stronger both among men and women aged under 50".
Immune Disorders
Chronic stress not only makes people more vulnerable to catching illnesses but can also impair their immune system's ability to respond to its own anti-inflammatory signals that are triggered by certain hormones, say researchers, possibly altering the course of an inflammatory disease. This finding is reported on the Health Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association (APA).
Most people with an autoimmune disorder know that stress is capable of triggering their disorder and worsening symptoms. Few people, however, realize that our immune systems must deal with several different types of stress on a daily basis.
Many autoimmune diseases such eczema, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are aggravated by stress. While short-term stress appears to have no relationship to multiple sclerosis, chronic stress does appear to be a major risk factor for flare-ups.
Gastrointestinal Problems
The brain and the intestine are strongly related and mediated by many of the same hormones and nervous system. It is not surprising then that prolonged stress can disrupt the digestive system, irritating the large intestine and causing diarrhea, constipation, cramping, bloating, and gas. Chronic stress is known to play a significant role in the development of irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, and colitis.
Diabetes
Chronic stress has been associated with the development of insulin-resistance, a condition in which the body is unable to use insulin effectively to regulate glucose (blood sugar). Insulin resistance is a primary factor in the development of Type II diabetes. Stress exacerbates diabetes by raising blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which regulates insulin and blood-sugar levels.
Diabetics who are chronically stressed experience much more erratic blood sugar readings through the day and have greater difficulty in stabilizing their blood sugar levels through diet and medications alone.
Stroke
One survey revealed that men who had a more intense response to stressful situations, such as waiting in line or problems at work, were more likely to have strokes than those who did not report such distress. In some people prolonged or frequent mental stress causes an exaggerated increase in blood pressure. In fact, a 2001 study has linked for the first time a higher risk for stroke in adult Caucasian men and elevated blood pressure during times of stress.
Asthma & Allergies
Stress is a common asthma trigger. Stress and anxiety sometimes make you feel short of breath and may cause your asthma symptoms to become worse.
In a study of 189 adults with asthma, researchers found that those who had experienced a larger than average number of negative events in the previous years tended to experience worsening asthma symptoms, poorer emotional well-being and more worries over their health.
Also new study shows that even slight stress and anxiety can substantially worsen a person's allergic reaction to some routine allergens.
Moreover, the added impact of stress and anxiety seem to linger, causing the second day of a stressed person's allergy attack to be much worse.
Sexual and Reproductive Dysfunction
Sexual Function. Stress can lead to diminished sexual desire and an inability to achieve orgasm in women. Stress response can also cause temporary impotence in men.
Premenstrual Syndrome. Some studies indicate that the stress response in women with premenstrual syndrome may be more intense than in those without the syndrome.
Fertility. Stress may even affect fertility. Stress hormones have an impact on the hypothalamus gland, which produces reproductive hormones.
Effects on Pregnancy. Stress may cause physiologic alterations, such as increased adrenal hormone levels or resistance in the arteries, which may interfere with normal blood flow to the placenta. Maternal stress during pregnancy has been linked to a higher risk for miscarriage, lower birth weights, and increased incidence of premature births. Some evidence also suggests that stress experienced by expectant mothers can even influence the way in which the baby's brain and nervous system will react to stressful events.
Depression
The cause of depression is not entirely clear. However, it's believed that both genetic and environmental factors, such as stress, may play a role.
Some people are more vulnerable to stress because of their personality characteristics or temperament. Persistent or chronic stress has the potential to put vulnerable individuals at a substantially increased risk of depression, anxiety and many other emotional difficulties. Scientists have noted that changes in brain function - in the areas of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland - may play a key role in stress-induced emotional problems.
Anxiety and Panick Attacks
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension or fear. The source of this uneasiness is not always known or recognized, which can add to the distress you feel. The persons may constantly feel butterflies in their stomach, palpitations, sickness or headaches. Sleep problems are also common and there may be endless health worries.
The situation is often made worse by stress (such as work), noise (even at home) and relationship problems.
Anxiety disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions that involve excessive anxiety. They include generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social phobia where severe or long-lasting feelings interfere with every day life.
LIFE WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS
A chronic illness is one that lasts for a very long time and usually there is the perception that cannot be cured completely. Examples of chronic illnesses include diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, kidney disease, HIV/AIDS, lupus, and multiple sclerosis.
Being diagnosed with a new illness and going through treatment can be an overwhelming event. Chronic illness increases your physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges, as well as your stress. Small, seemingly insignificant delays or problems can be overwhelming when you live with chronic pain and illness.
If you had been a healthy, active person and develop a chronic illness, the symptoms can create havoc in your life. Your inability to engage in activities you once enjoyed can cause you to become frustrated, angry, worried, or depressed. Your inability to meet the needs of your children, spouse, job, or community may contribute to a sense of inadequacy and worthlessness. Your friends may start to distance themselves. You may lose your job or marriage, causing you to feel a lot of stress and emotional pain and as we have seen above that stress can negatively impact your health and exacerbate your symptoms becoming a vicious cycle.
Learning to prevent stress and to stop its vicious cycle could be one of the most significant steps you can take in managing your health.
When our brain perceives an stressor -a bodily reaction is triggered, called the "fight or flight" response. Originally discovered by the great Harvard physiologist Walter Cannon, this response is hard-wired into our brains and represents a genetic wisdom designed to protect us from bodily harm. This response actually corresponds to an area of our brain called the hypothalamus, which-when stimulated-initiates a sequence of nerve cell firing and chemical release that prepares our body for running or fighting.
The fight or flight stress response is an involuntary function regulated primarily from three systems of the body.
What Happens?
The fight or flight stress response is an involuntary function regulated primarily from three systems of the body.
- The central nervous system (autonomic nervous system)
- The endocrine system (hypo-thalamic-pituitary-adrenal - HPA axis)
- The immune system
What Happens?
- Senses Sharpen
- Blood pressure rises
- Breath quickens and we take in more oxygen
- Heart beats faster
- Muscles tighten
- Glucose & Fats are released into the bloodstream
- Adrenal Glands release Cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline
- Pituitary releases adrenocorticotropin (ACTH
- Reproductive, digestive and other growth systems are shut down. (energy conservation in the face of crisis)
- Energy resources are redirected to the elimination of the stressor
Stressors can vary from person to person. While some things tend to stress many people ,job demands, relationship conflicts, a hectic schedule, not every potential stressor causes stress in everyone.
Stressors usually fall into the following categories:
Stressors usually fall into the following categories:
- Emotional stressors, which can also be thought of as internal stressors, include fears and anxieties (such as worries about whether you'll be fired or whether you'll make a good impression on a blind date) as well as certain personality traits (such as perfectionism, pessimism, suspiciousness, or a sense of helplessness or lack of control over one's life) that can distort your thinking or your perceptions of others. These stressors are very individual.
- Social stressors arise in our interactions within our personal community. They can include dating, parties, and public speaking. As with emotional stressors, social stressors are very individualized (you may love speaking in public, while your colleague shakes in his boots at the mere suggestion).
- Family stressors can include changes in your relationship with your significant other, financial problems, coping with an unruly adolescent ,or experiencing empty-nest syndrome.
- Change stressors are feelings of stress related to any important changes in our lives. This may include moving, getting a new job, moving in with a significant other, or having a baby.
- Chemical stressors are any drugs a person abuses, such as alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, or tranquilizers.
- Work stressors are caused by the pressures of performing in the workplace (or in the home, if that is where you work). They may include tight deadlines, an unpredictable boss, or endless family demands.
- Decision stressors involve the stress caused by having to make important decisions, such as the choice of a career or a mate.
- Phobic stressors are those caused by situations you are extremely afraid of, such as flying in airplanes or being in tight spaces.
- Physical stressors are situations that overtax your body, such as working long hours without sleep, depriving yourself of healthy food, or standing on your feet all day. They may also include pregnancy, premenstrual syndrome, or too much exercise.
- Disease stressors are the products of long- or short-term health problems. These may cause stress (say, by preventing you from being able to leave your bed), be triggered by stress (such as herpes flare-ups), or be aggravated by stress (such as migraine headaches).
- Pain stressors can include acute pain or chronic pain. Like disease stressors, pain stressors can cause stress or be aggravated by stress.
- Environmental stressors include noise, pollution, a lack of space, too much heat, or too much cold.
The Wise Living Programme is a complete stress prevention training that it is designed to teach the participant how to break the vicious stress cycle ,release unconscious negatives patterns and behaviours, build a solid strategy to deal with life challenges and have an overall sense of ease and calm.
It has been Astrid's experience working with clients suffering from diverse conditions like ME, Lupus, OCD, Anxiety, Asthma, MS, Hypertension and others toghther with the more widely available scientific evidence and research in the relation between stress and chronic illnesses that has inspired her to create it.
The Wise Living Programme combines cutting edges techniques based in the scientific findings in the areas of Positive Psychology, Neuroplasticity, Psychoneuroimmunology, brain dominance as well as ancient mind/body/spirit wisdom.
Each technique specifically tailored to your own needs and combine in this three day programme to help you achieve long lasting positive changes in your health and life.
Overview of the trainning
It has been Astrid's experience working with clients suffering from diverse conditions like ME, Lupus, OCD, Anxiety, Asthma, MS, Hypertension and others toghther with the more widely available scientific evidence and research in the relation between stress and chronic illnesses that has inspired her to create it.
The Wise Living Programme combines cutting edges techniques based in the scientific findings in the areas of Positive Psychology, Neuroplasticity, Psychoneuroimmunology, brain dominance as well as ancient mind/body/spirit wisdom.
Each technique specifically tailored to your own needs and combine in this three day programme to help you achieve long lasting positive changes in your health and life.
Overview of the trainning
- The physiology of the stress response and its influence in our health.
- Your Core Beliefs
- Identify Fears / Emotions / Feelings
- Challenge Vs Threat
- Inner Dialogue.
- Assertive Communication
- Immune Power Personality
- Expectations alter physiology
- Responsibility versus blame
Stress affects different people in different ways, and everyone has a different method of dealing with it.
The chemicals that are released by your body as a result of stress can build up over time and cause various mental and physical symptoms.
Stress symptoms may be affecting your health, even though you might not realize it. You may think illness is to blame for that nagging headache, your frequent forgetfulness or your decreased productivity at work. But sometimes stress is to blame. Indeed, stress symptoms can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and your behavior. When you recognize common stress symptoms, you can take steps to manage them.
Mental symptoms
The chemicals that are released by your body as a result of stress can build up over time and cause various mental and physical symptoms.
Stress symptoms may be affecting your health, even though you might not realize it. You may think illness is to blame for that nagging headache, your frequent forgetfulness or your decreased productivity at work. But sometimes stress is to blame. Indeed, stress symptoms can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and your behavior. When you recognize common stress symptoms, you can take steps to manage them.
Mental symptoms
- anger,
- depression,
- anxiety,
- changes in behaviour,
- food cravings,
- lack of appetite,
- frequent crying,
- difficulty sleeping (mental),
- feeling tired, and
- difficulty concentrating.
THE WISE LIVING PROGRAMME
For many people, stress is so commonplace that it has become a way of life but STRESS PREVENTION is today probably the most important element of a healthy life style.
- 75% of illnesses reported to GPs are stress related
- If you have a chronic illness such as MS, Lupus, Diabetes, Stress can make your symptoms worse.
- Studies show that stress is a contributing factor particularly in triggering or worsening depression, cardiovascular disease and speeding progression of HIV/AIDS.
- Stress prevention will benefit your Wellbeing and may give you longer life span.
The word stress has been used so loosely, so some people defined stress as having too many pressures, responsibilities, or demands in their lives. Some used the term to refer to internal states, such as feeling tense, nervous, tired, or exhausted. Others considered stress to be the inability to concentrate or focus mentally. Still others used the term to refer to any negative mood or emotion, such as anger, frustration, guilt, or anxiety, or to a host of stress-related physical problems, such as headaches, muscle tension, sleep disturbances, and high blood pressure.
To understand stress, we must recognize a critical distinction: the difference between stressors and stress response.Sometimes when people talk about 'stress' in their life, they are really talking about stressors; stressors lead to the body's stress response, and the experience of stress.
To understand stress, we must recognize a critical distinction: the difference between stressors and stress response.Sometimes when people talk about 'stress' in their life, they are really talking about stressors; stressors lead to the body's stress response, and the experience of stress.
- Stressors refer to situations, events, or demands which disrupt a person's equilibrium, and trigger a bodily reaction called the stress response.
- Stress Response is is the non-specific response of the body to any demand made upon it.
- Stress is what happens when the perceived demands of a situation are greater than the perceived coping skills we believe we have to deal with the situation.
We all know that a healthy diet, enough sleep and regular exercise are great ways to minimise stress but if we are running around like headless chickens in a constant state of anxiety as we buy our organic lettuce, drive like lunatics to get to the yoga class, or fight our way to the treadmill we might actually be causing more damage than good to our health.
Stress prevention is not about retiring into the woods to chant, quitting your high demanding job, giving away your children, not paying your bills or stop talking to your mother. Stress prevention is all about taking charge by stopping living in autopilot and actually being in command; it is about claiming back the remote control of your emotions and feelings.
In all aspects of our life we belief that knowledge and education is power, but when it comes to our mind and body there is so little that we know that we feel totally powerless when our blood pressure starts raising, when we wake up feeling blue, we feel like we cannot breath, when rage overpower us or even worse when we are diagnosed with an illness.
We owe to ourselves to learn and understand how our mind and body work together so we can unleash their healing power.
Stress prevention is not about retiring into the woods to chant, quitting your high demanding job, giving away your children, not paying your bills or stop talking to your mother. Stress prevention is all about taking charge by stopping living in autopilot and actually being in command; it is about claiming back the remote control of your emotions and feelings.
In all aspects of our life we belief that knowledge and education is power, but when it comes to our mind and body there is so little that we know that we feel totally powerless when our blood pressure starts raising, when we wake up feeling blue, we feel like we cannot breath, when rage overpower us or even worse when we are diagnosed with an illness.
We owe to ourselves to learn and understand how our mind and body work together so we can unleash their healing power.
Don't wait until you are suffering from a Chronic Condition to deal with the Stress in your life.
Stress Prevention is not a Luxury ………It's a Necessity
Physical symptoms
- chest pains,
- constipation or diarrhoea,
- cramps or muscle spasms,
- dizziness,
- fainting spells,
- nail biting,
- nervous twitches,
- pins and needles,
- feeling restless,
- a tendency to sweat,
- sexual difficulties such as erectile dysfunction or a loss of sexual desire,
- breathlessness,
- muscular aches, and
- difficulty sleeping (physical).
Worldwide Free Initial consultation scheduled at your convenience.
We discuss your needs & goals, and answer all your questions. Some of our techniques are available over the phone, so it does not matter where do you live, we could help you. All calls are in the strictest confidence. 
t. +44 (0) 2071939313
m.+44 (0) 7931105477
m.+44 (0) 7931105477
Tel: 02071939313 - 07931105477
