I knew stress was not good for our health, but I wasn’t aware of the many detrimental effects it has on our mind, body and spirit. Were you?
Stress is a powerful risk factor for disease, and has been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, depression, cancer and the progression of HIV/AIDS. Stress affects us in so many ways:
headaches, dizziness, ADD/ADHD, anxiety, irritability, anger, panic disorders
grinding teeth and jaw tension
depression
increased heart rate, arrhythmia, strokes, and heart disease
hypertension, Diabetes I and II
PTSD disorders
digestive disorders, upset stomach, abdominal pain
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
weight gain and obesity
decreased sex drive
muscle tension, Fibromyalgia, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
sleep disorders and more
Our brain cannot tell the difference between a SMALL stress and a BIG stress, and hundreds of chemicals are released when we are stressed to help us deal with that stress.
In a typical stress reaction (which we experience dozens of times a day), hormones are released in response to feelings like fear, frustration, impatience, anger, anxiety, despair or hopelessness. Our cortisol levels remains high as we continually remain in a stressed state, which can cause:
depression
premature aging
brain cell death
impaired memory and learning
reduced muscle mass and decreased bone density
reduced immunity
But now for the good news!
Our hearts are uniquely connected to our brain and our body, and play a key role in our emotional experiences and our perceptions. It is NOT the event or situation that creates the stress – it is how we EMOTIONALLY RESPOND to a stressful event that has a powerful impact on mind, body and spirit.
While stressful feelings drive the release of cortisol (the stress hormone), positive feelings reduce cortisol and increase DHEA (the vitality hormone). The balance between these two hormones plays a significant role in whether we are in a state depletion or renewal (stressed or calm). The signals that the heart sends to the brain affect our physical body, but these signals also influence our perception, our emotions, our behaviour, our performance and our health.
In 4 private or group sessions, you can learn to develop and access renewing emotions such as care, courage, tolerance and appreciation which create neuro-chemicals that regenerate your system and offset the energy drain, resulting in:
increased longevity
increased resilience to adversity
increased memory and problem-solving skills
think more clearly and make better decisions
increased intuition and creativity
calm your nervous system
sleep better
reduce the impact stress has on your body;
recharge your emotional system;
think more clearly and make better decisions.
HeartMath® techniques are effective with young children, adolescents, young adults and adults dealing with a variety of emotional, mental and medical challenges.
This test is not a clinical test, it is simply an indication of where you might currently be experiences stress in various areas of your life.