October Newsletter- Stress, Distress and Eustress

​ 
As if modern life wasn’t stressful enough, the last several years of SARS Covid 19 have increased the potential for even more concern. Stress isn’t necessarily bad; certain types of stress are to be expected and can even lead to growth. Gravitational stress is an example, without it we would lose our bone and muscle tone (not to mention we would float off into space). Where would we be without the stressful joys and sorrows of family life? Stress can break us down or build us up. Distress is bad; Eustress is good. The trick is to accept a certain amount of stress and use it to our advantage.
There are basically three kinds of stress, Physical, Chemical and Mental.

• Physical stress can come in the form of injury, sudden or repetitive. Physically we are profoundly affected by our beds, pillows, chairs, shoes, etc. The way we move, and exercise (or fail to) have impact us. Good posture and exercise habits build us up; poor ones break us down. Other examples of physical measures include: massage, PT, yoga, Chiropractic and Tai Chi.
• Chemical stress comes from what we eat, breathe and put on our skin. Healthy food and nutritional supplements build us up. Junk food (Standard American Diet SAD) breaks us down. Poor ventilation and air quality lead to many common maladies. Lotions, sunscreens, shampoos, etc. often contain toxins that put stress on our organs of detoxification like the kidneys and liver.
• Mental stress can be imposed on us by circumstances or self-inflicted by how we deal with our thoughts and feelings. Today’s headlines all too often relate the number of deaths from Covid, suicides, homicides, accidents, wars, hurricanes, shootings and drug overdoses. While these are all true there is also much good that is not as newsworthy. People are living longer and compared to other periods in history we are living in a very safe time. The challenge is to put things in perspective to dial back the fear factor.

These three factors, Physical, Chemical and Mental are all interrelated. Addressing one has profoundly positive effects on the others. For instance, exercise has been shown to be better that medications for many cases of anxiety and depression. Good foods and eating habits can make moving less painful and increase levels of happiness. Meditation, talk therapy and prayer improve physical health and even improve metabolism.
 
Thankfully people are now being encouraged to openly discuss their Mental Health. Sports figures are coming forward admitting their mental challenges; not just suffering in silence. These are positive signs that may be part of a silver lining resulting from the stressors of the last few years. If you are feeling isolated reach out to others who may be feeling the same way. Community is a great vehicle to help others and yourself. Call, write, text old friends. Get back to your exercise and yoga groups. Go back to church, art shows, museums, sporting events. Join others for a walk, coffee or a drink.
By implementing the Physical, Chemical and Mental model work towards incremental improvement in all these areas and turn your distress into eustress.

​By: Gleason Center Editors, Dr. Daniel Gleason DC