Study finds: Reactions to stress could affect health 10 years later

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'It's not just the stress, but how you react to it, that could have an impact on your health down the road, according to a new study from Pennsylvania State University researchers.

Published in the journal Annals of Behavioral Medicine, researchers found in the study that people who were more stressed out and anxious about the stresses of everyday life were more likely to have chronic health conditions (such as heart problems, or arthritis) 10 years later, compared with people who viewed things with a more relaxed lens.'

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Lifespan-Crushing Stress Levels Skyrocket Since 1983

'In the past, it was difficult to get an accurate measure of how stress had changed over time. This is because people 50 years ago simply didn’t measure stress levels; it wasn’t the concern that it is now. But because of the status quo, the need to make more money, gain more accolades, or simply pay the bills—stress has become harder to ignore.

In 1983, a telephone stress survey was conducted. Now, almost three decades later, we get to compare the results of that survey with current numbers to see how stress levels have changed through the years.'

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De-Stress Naturally

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Is Psychological Stress Causing All of Your Health Ailments?

'Stress wreaks havoc on the mind and body. For example, psychological stress is associated with greater risk for depression, heart disease and infectious diseases. But, until now, it has not been clear exactly how stress influences disease and health.

 A research team led by Carnegie Mellon University's Sheldon Cohen has found that chronic psychological stress is associated with the body losing its ability to regulate the inflammatory response. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research shows for the first time that the effects of psychological stress on the body's ability to regulate inflammation can promote the development and progression of disease.'

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Stress Busters

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How Stress Can Damage Your Body

'Dr. Maggie Peterson talks about how your body reacts to stress and
how that stress affects different parts of your body. She explains how
most of today’s so called health “epidemics”…ranging from heart disease
to diabetes…can be directly tied to our body’s natural response to
stress.


In fact, according to Dr. Peterson symptoms as diverse as high blood
pressure, memory problems, low libido, thickened arteries, high
cholesterol, mood disturbances, bone loss and elevated blood sugar can
all be traced back to our fight or flight instinct’s effects on the
body.'

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9 Steps to Perfect Health – #6: Manage Your Stress

'Of all the 9 steps, stress management is probably the most important. Why? Because no matter what diet you follow, how much you exercise and what supplements you take, if you’re not managing your stress you will still be at risk for modern degenerative conditions like heart disease, diabetes, hypothyroidism and autoimmunity.


I see this every day in my practice. I have a lot of patients that are following a “perfect” diet, and yet they are still sick. Stress is often the cause. (I’ll define stress more clearly in a moment.) Yet as pervasive as stress is, many people don’t do anything to mitigate its harmful effects. The truth is it’s a lot easier to make dietary changes and pop some pills (whether drugs or supplements) than it is to manage our stress. Stress management bumps us up against core patterns of belief and behavior that are difficult to change.'



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What Else Lowers Stress Hormones, Increases Immune Activity, and Lowers Cholesterol?

'Most of us think that the only way to lower stress, cholesterol and blood pressure is diet and a great exercise program. You won't believe what else has the same effect.

Results of the study, from Loma Linda University's Schools of Allied Health (SAHP) and Medicine, showed that laughing not only enhances a positive mood, but lowers stress hormones, increases immune activity, and lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, similar to moderate exercise.' 


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