Stress Managment - Health, Sleep & Meditation

More than half of people at work have suffered stress in the past 12 months, the latest research has found. Up to 5 million people in the UK feel ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ stressed by their work; and its costs run to £3.7 billion every year. Most illness is caused by prolonged dis-ease.

Of the 150,000 in the 25–44 age group taking 30 days off with stress, social workers, teachers, nurses and prison officers stand out. The law requires organizations to take action. The more a workplace finds itself liable for an employee’s stress, the more likely a successful legal claim. Latest research is focusing on the stress inducing organization not the stressed individual. Worryingly, three-quarters of the managers asked in a 5000 person study, said working late or at weekends was the only way to deal with their workload, while two-thirds believed it was a part of their organisation's culture.

The Scottish Health and Safety Executive defines stress as 'the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure'. This is caused by being made to feel not in control, excessive work, bullying, sexual harassment, blame culture and dangerous environments.

The most important point to remember about stress is that it is literally a nervous reaction, a psychological immune response. The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is a vast network of nerves branching out from the spinal cord, reaching and directly affecting every organ in the body. In fact, the ANS is responsible for anything and everything that we experience automatically. The surge of determination, or dread, when faced with a threatening situation comes from the ANS, as well as the feeling of peaceful contentment that some people are fortunate enough to experience. If you feel it, you feel it with the ANS.

The ANS divides into two distinct systems: the 'Sympathetic' Nervous System and the 'Parasympathetic' Nervous System. To put their functions simply, read 'stressed-out' and 'chilled-out' respectively. Often, nerve fibres from these two systems supply the same organ, one stimulating and the other sedating.

Holistic therapies aim at strengthening the Parasympathetic. There is an army of professional people out there whose purpose is to awaken this all-too-often dormant part of us.

Massage, Aromatherapy Yoga and Floatation

All of the above help the nervous system to relax and unwind physiologically. You have to wind down physically not mentally – that is the key. The change in body state will transform the mental state. Aromatherapy essential oils can affect the brain. Try using lavender (relaxing), geranium (balancing) and vetivert (grounding). As regards floatation tanks, gravity occupies nearly 90 percent of all central nervous system activity; take it away and your muscles, even your organs, begin to relax. Studies have shown that sensory deprivation increases the secretions of endorphins in the body, while decreasing stress-related neurochemicals such as adrenalin, norepinephrine, and cortisol, which contribute to heart disease and hypertension.

Vitamin B, Glycophos and EFA’s

Karoshil is a unique, 100% natural product containing B Vitamins and Powerful antioxidants with phosphorylated glucose and fructose - a form of sugar which is a ready source of fuel for the body's cells, in particular the brain cells. Supplementing your diet with this helps the brain to work at an optimal levels all day - even when you are under pressure. The B vitamins are in a food structure making them more absorbable by the body. Your brain is made up of water and fat, therefore it is necessary with all of the omega 6 fatty acid we ingest to balance it all out with omega 3 which we are deficient in. Ensuring the best brain structure ensures the biochemistry works better. A good source of omega 3 is Flax Seed Oil which can be taken in capsules. Stargate Nutrition Vitamins have a one a day multi and that is 100% natural and in a form found in nature.

Rhodiola Root & Valarian

Rhodiola Root is a herb that has been used by Russians for many years to treat stress very successfully. This is a natural alternative to anti-depressents and in some cases safer. The herb is an adaptogen and as its name suggests helps you adapt to siuations. Valarian is excellent to have in the house to help with sleep interruptions and to help you relax. Really effective without causing dependence to form.

Emotional Freedom Technique - EFT

This system centers around the profound effects of the body's subtle energies using the theory that "the cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body's energy system." Accordingly, EFT is an emotional form of acupuncture except that they don't use needles.  Instead, they tap with the fingertips to stimulate certain meridian energy points while the client is "tuned in" to the problem. You can download a free 75 page manual at the following website  www.emofree.com

StarGate Nutrition Vitamins

StarGate Nutrition nutrient material has been designed to be 16 times more effective, 5 times more utilised and 6 times more retained than the vast majority (99%) of nutrient material on the nutrition market. They have studied our material through independent laboratories using a number of biological studies to see its effectiveness over a number of development years. Their technology is based and confirmed by over 77 scientific papers and by a number of medical and nutrition Professors and prestigious institutions.They use 100% natural and totally allergen free.