Christine Regan Pugh
Aromatherapist, Reflexologist and Stress Release Therapist

Tips for managing stress:

What is stress? Stress is mainly a result of continuous high demands imposed on us by work, family, lifestyle, etc…or that we impose upon ourselves through our desire to accomplish. Mild stress acts as a useful motivation for achievement and productivity. When the stress in our life is too extreme this may result in other problems. It is not so much what happens to us in our day-to-day life but how we react to it that can create stress.

During times of stress adrenaline is released as well other hormones which stimulate the heart, increase blood pressure and heart rate, and constrict certain blood vessels to increase blood flow to the muscles and brain and to decrease the blood flow to the digestive tract and internal organs, which can eventually cause liver, kidney and heart problems. Adrenaline also raises blood sugar levels to give us more energy to get through the situation, which can eventually lead to diabetic problems. During times of stress our body’s nutrients are used more rapidly, it is important that we take extra care in replacing these nutrients in our diet to help aid in our own health.

There are many problems that can arise from stress, and learning how to manage your stress levels is key to a healthy mind body connection.

Symptoms related to stress can be: fatigue, irritability, head aches, muscle tension, indigestion, insomnia, depression, allergies, eczema, psoriasis, arthritis, diabetes, and cancer. These are some of the more common warning signs.

Techniques for Managing Stress

• Enjoy life more, have fun, laugh, get out and do things-get a hobby.
• Express your feelings. Keeping everything inside only
  hurts you.
• Get a good night's sleep.
• Learn relaxation exercises such as deep breathing
  or meditation.
• Develop good relationships.
• Change perceptions and attitudes. Try to look at
  the glass as half full.

Diet for Stress Management

• High nutrient foods such as fibre, vegetables (raw),
  whole grains.
• Increase Vitamin B and Vitamin C intake either through foods or tablets.
• Increase potassium through bananas, beets, oranges,
  pears, etc…
• Increase calcium through dairy products
• Increase magnesium through halibut, almonds,
  cashews, oatmeal etc.
• Take herbs such as ginseng root, liquorice root and valerian root.

If we view stress positively, we see it as simply a survival response but if we cannot handle the stress we experience the symptoms and disease of stress.

Learning to adapt our attitude and find suitable outlets for our stress is a very important long-range plan. Stress is inevitable in today’s world and we need a certain amount to function. The key is to be able to manage our level of stress through diet, exercise, relaxation techniques and positive affirmations.

The Briars Spa offers a number of wonderful treatments that help aid in stress management such as Massage Therapy, Reflexology, and Stress Release Therapy.