People who live with a high level of stress all the time often don’t notice that their physical health is declining as well. Stomach problems, headaches, muscle aches and pains and insomnia can all be attributable to the consequences of long-term stress!

Where do all these physical symptoms come from?

Notice how you breathe when you are stressed. Typically you breathe from the top of your chest and you really don’t get enough oxygen where it’s needed.

Blood flow to some areas is reduced by up to 75%.  Muscles and joints tighten up and you start feeling cramps, aches and pains. When you are stressed your shoulders start to head up towards your ears. Sit up, let your shoulders soften and take a few deep breaths with your hand on your belly. Notice the difference. If you are feeling really overwhelmed try doing the breathing with one hand on your forehead it may help calm the brain as well.

Then there are all the stomach problems; you are either going to the bathroom too often or not at all. The same neurotransmitters that are in our head are also well represented in our stomachs (approx 90%). Not surprisingly when we are running on adrenaline or our cortisol is staying high, our stomachs start to act out.

Stomach problems can also be partly related to the type of diets that we prefer when we are stressed. Typically we want food that will convert quickly to glucose and give us an energy hit. Whilst providing the brain with a short term hit by eating lots of carbohydrates we don’t provide the proteins we need for production of neurotransmitters so over time we effectively short change ourselves. Then we start having problems with irritability or insomnia. Further the heavy load of refined carbohydrates is often at the expense of fresh fruit and vegetables leading to a sluggish bowel.

Managing stressors will help you with all the physical symptoms as well. Make sure your diet is well balanced, favouring small amounts of good quality protein and lots of vegetables. In addition, think about adding good quality magnesium with between 400-800mg of elemental magnesium a day, particularly if you are getting cramps and having trouble sleeping or staying asleep. Consider getting some supportive physical therapy such as massage or osteopathy to help keep your shoulders where they belong.

Christine Pope is a Nutritionist and Homeopath who practices at St Ives and runs regular workshops on “Managing Your Stress” in conjunction with Coach, Cheryl Alderman at the adjoining Be Ultimate offices.

This life – changing workshop will help you understand the physical and emotional symptoms, as well as the triggers of stress. Packed full of information and easily applicable tools to help you manage the ups and downs of daily life with renewed zest and productivity, body & mind.

To find more details on this workshop, click here.