Stress physically effects every system of the body.

The muscles tense, breathing intensifies, the hormones cortisol and epinephrine trigger the liver to release glucose to the blood, heart rate increases, blood vessels dilate, and blood pressure increases. The stomach may hurt or flutter. Energy and blood flow are diverted from the immune, reproductive, and digestive symptoms towards large muscle groups and the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. 

This is extremely helpful in instances of acute stress, as these reactions prepare the humanoid for a speedy fight or flight response. The body becomes hypersensitive, prepped for a quick and effective reaction to real or perceived threats. Ideally, it will return to its unstressed levels when the threat passes. 

Chronic stress however, with its prolonged chemical release and physiological reaction over days or weeks, can actually damage the body. Chronic stress is a drain on the body, and can make someone already afflicted with disease much weaker. It is also addictive; without an effective outlet to relieve stress, the body adapts to a more frazzled baseline. 

Chronic stress puts one at risk for:

• heart disease
• diabetes
• cancer
• anxiety
• depression
• headaches
• sleeping problems
• hypertension
• obesity

In our hypersensitive and overstimulated society, stress is a serious impairment to wellness and a genuine threat to health! 

Stress is a lifestyle choice: you control stress, or it controls you.

"Perceived threats" in this day and age are frequently conditioned reactions to outside stimuli, and like it or not your reaction is your responsibility. You  cannot control what happens outside of you, but you can control your response. Retrain the brain to respond in a healthful way, and the body reaps the benefits. 

Stress management options:

• yoga
• deep breathing
• meditation
• walking in nature
• creating art
• writing
• exercising
• drinking tea 
• using lavender oil

Stress management is a hugely overlooked aspect of the healing and thrival process, but we respect it as primary and a basic necessity. Thankfully, life at the Garden of Eden is much more peaceful and relaxed than almost anywhere else we have found; we can honor health in a virtually stress-free environment. Infinite gratitude to @quinneaker for establishing this space and sharing it so freely with one and all!

We hope you're inspired to manage your stress to enhance your health! 

Sources consulted:

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-body.aspx

http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/2684477

http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/content/stress/art4022.html

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