Calm Down Taming the Flames of
Stress-Related Illness by Marlaina Donato
W
e are beings of neurochemical and hormonal intricacy, and within this mixed bag of biology lies our magic. Our human experience is visceral;
we cry from sadness and joy, flush from embarrassment, laugh with amusement and exhibit quirky mannerisms when we lie. Whether we see it as a blessing or a curse, we’re hardwired to embody the sacred fire of our emotions. It also means that stress and our bodies are in perpetual
partnership. “Systematically, the mind and body work together. Grabbing your belly when you hear bad news and saying, ‘I feel sick,’ or having ‘butterflies in your stomach’ are a testament to how everyday stress affects us physically,” says Stephanie Mansour, Chicago fitness expert and host of the national PBS show Step It Up With Steph. “Stress serves a useful purpose by increasing alertness—the
sometimes lifesaving ‘fight-or-flight’ response—but chronic stress leads to elevated stress hormones like cortisol and catechol- amines,” says emergency room physician Tomas Krisanda, at Northwest Hospital, in Randallstown, Maryland. “Cortisol can elevate blood glucose and suppress the immune system. Elevated catecholamines raise blood pressure and stress the heart. Over time, this can lead to hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes or strokes.” According to Te American Institute of Stress, 77 percent
of people experience the physical backlash of emotional stress in the form of headaches, chronic migraines, fatigue, digestive woes, muscle tension, dizziness and changes in libido. Research published this year in the Journal of the American Heart Associa- tion shows that children that experience severe adversity or live with alcoholics or drug addicts are at a 50 percent higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease later in life. Experts agree that this statistic goes beyond poor lifestyle choices, and might point to a biological inability to cope with everyday pressures. Working with—rather than against—the body’s nervous sys-
tem by employing lifestyle changes, releasing trauma and consid- ering options like a nourishing diet, safe herbal options and gentle energy modalities can help to break a vicious cycle.
Gut Instincts Studies involving both mice and humans show that beneficial gut microorganisms are altered by emotional stress. Te same bacteria responsible for bolstering the body’s fortress of immunity also generate neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and nor-
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