Overcoming Stress – What Needs To Be Done?
There is little doubt that stress is a very big problem in our society today. Maybe it’s the hectic pace at which we’re living these days. You’ve probably heard that job-related stress is really on the rise. Just about everyone from bankers to lawyers to IT consultants are experiencing a much higher degree of stress than ever before. Maybe you’re even experiencing a lot of stress in the work arena yourself. And, of course, it’s not just employment worries that can lead to stress. Everything from personal problems to the growing credit crunch can play a role in increasing stress levels. And with added stress comes the greater possibility of health problems.
Although your body is well-equipped to cope with short periods of stress, a tough day at work can also bring about pain in the form of a migraine and it’s even more difficult to deal with sustained high levels of stress over a longer period.
Stress comes from the Latin word “stringere”. That means to stretch out; and when the muscles become too tight from tension, we feel pain.
Stress-related symptoms including pain originate in the brain. In times of stress, your brain releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol that can result in symptoms like perspiration and an increase in respiration, blood pressure and heart rate, all for the purpose of preparing the body for the fight or flight response. The release of these and other hormones, however, can cause the muscles to tense up, thereby resulting in pain and irritation of the nerves.
One of the areas of the body that’s most vulnerable to stress-related pain is the neck. Largely, this is due to the fact that your neck is already supporting the weight of your head. Sometimes neck pain can be caused by bad habits such as holding the phone between your head and shoulders, but increased tension and stress can cause the pain to get more intense as it radiates.
When you feel stress in your mind, your neck is likely to hurt more. You can go to a physical therapist and learn a set of simple exercises to do daily and this will help you alleviate the pain from stress almost before it starts.
Here’s one exercise that you can try: Sit or stand straight then gently lower your chin to your chest. You should feel the muscles at the back of your neck being stretched. Hold the position for 15 seconds and then lower your head gently to one side. Hold the position for another 15 seconds and then repeat on the other side.
Not only can stress cause muscle pain and tension, it can also cause more serious problems like heart trouble and depression. So, the minute you know the cause of your stress, take steps to do something about it. Keep on doing it as much as you need to. Keep your symptoms in mind and use relaxation techniques and consult a physician or physiotherapist as needed.
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