Stress is a predominant condition in our society today. Between jobs, family situations, medical crises, and more, people are understandably continually feeling more than a little stressed. However, when this stress lasts for an extended period of time, this becomes unhealthy. If you are struggling to deal with chronic stress, Springfield Wellness Center can help. Our chronic stress treatment programs can help you identify healthy ways of dealing with stress, so you can enjoy the benefits of improved mood and mental health. Call us today at 844.334.4727, or contact us using our secure online form.
What Is Chronic Stress?
When an individual keeps feeling stressed due to a particular problem over a long period, it is chronic stress. Stress is actually a good thing when it is short-term. It enables you to make wise decisions when confronted with a fight-or-flight situation. However, if the trigger or the factor responsible for stress is present over a long period, the stress becomes chronic. This type of stress is not healthy. For instance, an unhappy relationship will eventually lead to chronic stress unless the cause is removed. Financial difficulties and a high-pressure job are other causes of this condition.
Chronic stress treatments are available, and they can help an individual deal with chronic stress symptoms. These treatments include identifying the underlining cause and eliminating it, diet, exercise, use of supplements, and lots more.
Understanding Chronic Stress
Stress causes the body to release hormones called corticosteroids, such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones help prepare the body to take action in stressful situations by increasing heart and breathing rates. When this ensues, an expert might describe a person as being in a state of heightened alertness or arousal. The physical effects of stress usually do not last long (acute stress). However, some people find themselves in a nearly constant state of heightened alertness.
Both these hormones, in combination with the nervous system, stop many systems of the body that are not directly needed. As a result, the person may experience decreased salivary flow, reduced blood flow to the digestive system, and many other physical symptoms. The continuous supply of these hormones will keep the other parts of the body inactive. This is because the blood primarily flows to the limbs, brain, eyes, and heart rather than other parts of the body. This change has harmful effects on both physical and mental health unless chronic stress treatments are administered.
For example, decreased blood flow to the digestive system leads to an imbalance in insulin levels. In fact, experts have linked stress with blood sugar and tummy fat. Chronic stress raises the insulin level, thereby resulting in relentless metabolic dysfunction that becomes weight gain, insulin resistance, and ultimately diabetes.
Chronic Stress Symptoms
There are different chronic stress symptoms, and this can vary for everyone. Identifying chronic stress starts with recognizing the symptoms. Chronic stress can affect how you feel emotionally, mentally, and physically, as well as how you behave. Learning more about the symptoms can help to know the proper chronic stress treatment to administer. These symptoms include:
Heart-Related Problems
The continuous release of adrenaline and cortisol leads to increased heart rate. Imagine what will happen if the heartbeat is always on the rise. It will eventually lead to heart-related problems.
Insomnia
Since the body remains in a state of high alertness, this prevents the individual from sleeping.
Diabetes
Stress raises insulin levels, thereby resulting in relentless metabolic dysfunction that becomes weight gain, insulin resistance, and ultimately diabetes.
Weakened Immune System
The defense system of the body against foreign agents becomes weak due to chronic stress. As a result, you may experience more sicknesses.
Decrease in Muscle Tone
Since the muscles remain tense over a prolonged period, there can be an observed decrease in the muscle tone of the individual.
Other Symptoms
Other chronic stress symptoms are:
- Ulcers
- Headaches
- Fertility problems
- Low sex drive
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Mood swings, loneliness, and emotional disorders
- Panic attacks and panic disorders
If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it’s time to seek treatment.
Treatment Of Chronic Stress
Chronic stress can be overwhelming. A person may feel unable to reclaim control over their life. However, a number of strategies can help to reduce stress levels and improve well-being.
Remove the Stressor
Stress is only chronic when the stressor is continuously present. The stressor has to be removed before we can treat chronic stress. This can be difficult, especially if it is beyond the individual’s control, like losing a loved one. However, the individual should try to deal with such issues and find ways to cope.
Understand the Symptoms
Some persons are not even aware they are suffering from chronic stress. They have no understanding of chronic stress symptoms. Stress signals for individuals can vary, but if a person can understand how they respond to stress, they will be better able to manage them.
Talk to a Friend or Counselor
A significant way to overcome chronic stress is based on the person’s behavioral and social skills. Socializing helps to deal with stress, and it is a good way to relax. A counselor might also recommend various techniques that might help to deal with chronic stress symptoms.
Exercise
Since the body of a chronic stress patient is filled with adrenaline and cortisol, hormones that ultimately increase the individual’s energy level, exercising is a way to make use of that energy. Exercise helps you burn off the chemicals of stress and helps heal the mind and body.
Relaxation and Sleep
Deliberately practicing relaxation techniques help a lot. You can’t just sit there and watch television or drink beer. You should be involved in activities. Learn a new skill or improve on previous ones. Deep breathing also goes a long way to relax the body. You can start doing yoga, or you can go for a walk. Get a massage, help someone, do the things you love.
Meditate
This is an essential chronic stress treatment. It is effective regardless of the amount of time you can commit daily. Someone once referred to meditation as a mind-ordering and rearranging process. One important benefit of meditation is that it removes the worry and decreases anxiety, which causes stress.
NAD Treatment
A new and unique treatment option for chronic stress is NAD treatment. This treatment replaces the depleted levels of NAD, a compound that occurs naturally in human cells. This chemical is involved in a range of essential processes, including stress regulation. NAD can treat a range of additional conditions, including:
- Alcohol addiction
- Drug addiction
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
To learn more about this treatment option, please reach out to Springfield Wellness Center today.
Get Treatment at Springfield Wellness Center Today
All these simple steps might not work for you. However, you do not have to worry as there are many experts on chronic stress. They are really good at what they do, and you are welcome to our facility as we are confident we will be able to help. In addition to chronic stress treatment, we also offer a range of additional treatment options, such as:
To learn about our services, please contact the team at Springfield Wellness Center today at 844.334.4727, or contact us online.
