Stress and its impact on wellness

Stress has many definitions due to its myriad of applications. For this description we will be utilizing a psychological definition. So stress is any mentally or emotionally disruptive event either positive or negative( I am placing eustress, happy or positive disruptive event, in this category, since for our working purposes they are the same). Stress events cause that flight or fight response and the body's clock speeds up, This is fine when the stress is an episodic event and the changes in the body are transient. However, when the stress is chronic, the changes are prolonged and then we have real trouble for our bodies. How are these changes seen in the body? Stress causes the metabolism to speed up and the accompanying changes such as increased blood pressure, increased sugar breakdown. Since the body needs to lighten itself to fight or flee, the bladder empties and the bowels empty. Other areas that are not immediately needed to fight or flee have decreased function such as digestion, reproductive function, immune system function, body growth. Imagine what happens to the body's functions when stress is prolonged then. Does it match what is occurring in our Western fast paced society? I would say so.Some examples that jump out to me are high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, kidney failure,cancers, diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, malabsorption problems,irritable bowel syndrome,increased incidence in asthma, allergies, infectious diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and other auto-immune diseases,and fertility problems. I am less sure of ways to relate neurological and psychological to the prolonged stress issue. But I do feel there is definitely a link to the endocrine changes which occur with stress and the neuro-psychological disorders we see in great numbers today(i.e. depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, addiction, personality disorders, MS, Parkinson's). I think we may not see poor growth due to the hormone content of our meats offsetting the decrease in growth hormones being released. Are you convinced that whatever is ailing you is very likely to be significantly worsened by chronic stress? Are you taking care of yourself by working in a systematic way to decrease your sense of stress. It is not important how that is done(exercise, sound diet, adequate rest, real recreation, etc.). Figure out what works for you and do it regularly because your life depends on it. nnn