Tag Archive for: Stress

What Are The Warning Signs of Mental Illness?

Symptoms and warning signs of mental illness will vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. You don’t need to have every item on the list below to know that there may be something wrong;  or have the exact same warning signs as someone else.

Some general symptoms that may suggest a mental disorder include:

  • Confused thinking, disorientation or fogginess
  • Difficulty concentrating, learning, and staying on task
  • Inability to carry out daily activities
  • Prolonged sadness or increased irritability
  • Extreme highs and lows in mood
  • Excessive fear, worrying or anxiety
  • Difficulty handling stress
  • Social withdrawal from friends and activities
  • Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
  • Changes in eating habits that lead to weight loss or gain
  • Strong feelings of anger or aggressive behavior
  • Delusions or hallucinations
  • Inability to cope with daily problems and activities
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Abuse of drugs / alcohol
  • Self-medicating
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Psychosomatic “illnesses” that can’t be diagnosis by a doctor

Knowing the early warning signs and symptoms of mental illness can help you get the help that is needed before life spirals out of control.  These warning signs, particularly when occurring together, are an indicator that it is time to contact a mental health organization, doctor, health care practitioner, family member or friend and seek help.

Remember there are always organizations and professionals that can help.  If you’re experiencing a lot of warning signs and feel like you’re nearing a crisis, contact your doctor or mental health provider.  You can also contact your local crisis centre.

Crisis centres will have trained people that can connect you with local services, including emergency mental health services. In BC, call the BC Crisis Line 310-6789 (do not add 604, 778 or 250 before the number) to talk to someone without a wait or busy signal. They’re available 24 hours a day.  You can also go to the emergency room or call 911.

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Holiday Anxiety

16513267_sThe holidays can be a stressful time and often those who suffer with anxiety feel symptoms increase and become out of control during this time of year.

Most people that feel anxious during the holidays are dealing with anxiety which includes persistent and excessive worry about activities or events.  The worry is usually out of proportion to the actual circumstance, and can interfere with the ability to cope with daily events.

Common anxiety signs and symptoms include; feeling nervous, having a sense of impending doom,  having rapid breathing and an increased heart rate, feeling tired, sweating, and trouble concentrating about anything other than the present worry.

By making some basic lifestyle changes, and taking small, and straightforward steps everyday you can manage and minimize your anxieties.

1. Remember to breath. Deep breathing triggers a relaxation response.  Inhale slowly to a count of four, hold your breath for a count of four, then slowly exhale to a count of four. Repeat this four or five times.

2. Get active. One of the best things to cope with anxiety is to get regular cardiovascular exercise.  A brisk 30 minute walk will release endorphins that will help reduce your anxiety. Develop a routine so that you’re physically active most days of the week. Exercise is a powerful stress reducer which can improve your mood and help you stay healthy, and improve your sleep.

3. Make sleep a priority. Not getting enough sleep can trigger anxiety. If you’re having trouble sleeping, put away the smartphones and tablets and engage in relaxing activities several hours before bedtime.  These activities could include a relaxing bath, listening to soothing music, or reading a book. Many people with anxiety have trouble falling asleep, because at this time of night the brains starts to work “overtime”.   Try to focus your thinking on something like mental math. That could be counting backwards from 100, or reciting the times tables.  The result is to calm your mind and distract from your worries.

4. Engage with others and do something you like. Social support is helpful in managing stress and anxiety, so schedule a coffee date or go to lunch with a friend. Make sure you book an activity you enjoy, such as taking a walk, or going to a yoga class. Engaging in enjoyable activities will help to reduce your anxiety.

5. Limit time spent at holiday parties, especially if you’re feel stressed. How much time you spend at the party is not as important as being there. Also limit or avoid alcohol, sedatives, coffee and tea.

6. During the holidays, it can seem like every task takes three times as long; from air travel, to waiting in a line up. Instead of getting angry and irritated during these times, start a conversation with someone else standing beside you and wish them a happy holiday, or  “plug-in” and listen to your favourite piece of music, to help the time pass.

7. Lower your expectations, and keep your expectations of the season realistic.

8. Instead of spending every night at a holiday function, take time out, and spend a quiet evening at home. Watch a movie or have a game night with your family or just spend time being by yourself.

By taking small steps everyday, you can minimize your anxiety and cope more effectively throughout the Holiday season.

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9 Ways to Avoid The “Seasonal Blues”

Beating the “Seasonal Blues”During this time of year it is easy to feel stressed-out and overwhelmed; so we’ve rounded up 9 ways to help you escape the seasonal blues.

Do Less – Enjoy More

Most of us go overboard to please others especially during the holidays, from shopping, family obligations to attending numerous events. This season why not take care of yourself, and say no to one or two activities!

Say Good-Bye To Perfection

Remember that the world is not going to end if your home is not “Martha Stewart” perfect, or if you have a pile of laundry on the kitchen table. Use your energy and focus on the important things – the people in your life.  As author Richard Carlson wrote “Don’t sweat the small stuff “!

Stop Over Scheduling

If you can’t slow down and relax during this time of year, when can you?  Your daily agenda shouldn’t make you feel stressed and overwhelmed. Slow down, simplify your schedule and learn how to delegate!

Find Time To Exercise

It may be the last thing you feel like doing when you’re stressed out, but going for a walk or attending a Pilates class can actually make you feel better. Research has found that exercise can boost your mood for up to 12 hours and can decreases anxiety.  So get out of the house and go for a brisk, 20 minute walk every day.

Health Maintenance

Take some time for yourself and schedule a massage or an acupuncture session; your health care practitioners can help you keep healthy and feeling fit.

Put Down the iPhone

Enjoy spending time with your family and friends without the constant buzz of your smart phone.  It becomes a habit that is very hard to stop, and repetitively looking at your phone is exhausting, and contributes to mounting stress.

Re-Think Old Customs

Ending old customs can be a good policy if you’re a lone or grieving.  Start some new traditions that will have happy memories associated with them.

Positive Thinking

Negative thoughts drain you of energy and keep you from being in the present moment. The more you give in to your negative thoughts, the stronger they become. On-the-other hand, a small positive thought can have the same effect -developing into a beautiful positive outcome.

Get More Sleep

Don’t underestimate the value of the power napor a good night’s sleep.  Light exercise like yoga or walking at night can help sleep as it releases tension without over stimulating the body.

Music can also help by soothing your mind and body as well as meditation, which can relieve stress in the body and mind. It’s a great technique to use before bedtime because it relaxes the body, clears the mind, and creates inner peace.

Put yourself first for a while. Take care of yourself, pay attention to your needs and desires, and find the courage to do something about them.

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Acupuncture Can Make 2016 Your Healthiest Year Yet

S.miska-acupuncture2Written by Stefanie Miska

As we come out on the other side of the holiday season, many of us have resolved to begin fresh by letting go of habits that no longer serve us or by adding ones that do.

Whether it be to spend more time physically moving the body, joining a new sports team, to begin meditating or sitting in stillness for five minutes each morning; this is a time where each of us reflects back on the past year and focuses on how we can improve and move forward in this coming twelve months.

Here are a few ways acupuncture can help:

Reduce stress – Often the holidays and returning to work afterwards can be stressful. Acupuncture has been proven to lower stress and help the body get out of the perpetual sympathetic (fight or flight) state. Many people report a Zen like experience during and after an acupuncture treatment, by attending regularly you can help prolong this feeling.

Aid digestion – Are you feeling bloated, distended, and gassy? Perhaps you over ate at Christmas dinner or over indulged on all the rum and egg nog? Acupuncture can help regulate the digestive organs by reducing bloating and moving any stagnation causing pain or distention.

Strengthen immune system – We are still in cold and flu season; whether you have been lucky enough to avoid this year’s bout or have been fighting off a lingering sore throat, acupuncture will help build the body’s natural resistance to disease. Acupuncture and Chinese medicinal herbs can benefit you whether it be the acute stage of a debilitating flu or you are feeling tired and run down since you were last sick.

Decrease pain – Do you suffer from chronic pain or have you been putting in extra hours at the gym this week? Acupuncture improves circulation and the release of pain relieving endorphins, which can benefit long term issues in addition to tight and sore muscles from sudden overuse. Often when we have pain we seek treatment locally to relieve the obvious tension, acupuncture will help relieve the localized discomfort, and in addition, by observing the body as a holistic being, your TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioner will address the root of the problem.

By incorporating regular acupuncture treatments into your new year’s resolution you will also see the benefits of more energy and better sleep.

Diversified Health is happy to welcome Stefanie Miska, a registered practitioner of Acupuncture & TCM (meaning she incorporates acupuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine into her treatments) to the clinic. She looks forward to helping you make 2016 your best year yet!

Call 250 382 0018 to book an appointment on Wednesday or Sunday with Stefanie. Here’s to you!

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Decreased Stress = Increased Vitamins

imagesWhen you are dealing with stressful issues, one of the first things you can do to help your body get through the stress, is to eat nutritious foods that are rich in specific vitamins; however, if just thinking about buying and cooking nutritious food adds more stress to your day, consider supplementing your diet with vitamins.  These basic vitamins and minerals can help prevent the damage that stress causes.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for stress reduction as its antioxidants aid the body in its ability to cope with stress.  Vitamin A can be found in foods such as fish oil, eggs, and spinach.

Vitamin B
B vitamins are an essential stress supplement. When you are under stress, your body uses large amounts of B vitamins to cope with the effects of stress.  Consider taking a B vitamin complex. Look for a formula that provides at least 50mg of each of the main B vitamins.

Vitamin B-1 (thiamin) helps support the nervous system and give you more energy
Vitamin B-2 (riboflavin) gives important support to your adrenal glands
Vitamin B-3 (niacin) has a strong effect on your feelings of being able to manage your stress
Vitamin B-5 (pantothenic acid) is necessary for the secretion of cortisol
Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) is helpful for reducing anxiety and depression
Vitamin B-8 (folic acid) helps reduce stress indirectly by reduces high levels of an amino acid homocysteine
Vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) is essential for the healthy functioning of your nerves

Good food sources of B complex vitamins are: Meat, Eggs, Nuts, Cheese, and Green vegetables.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C can help to reduce the levels of cortisol and corticosterone, which is a stress hormone in the blood.   The “daily recommended” amount of  Vitamin C is 60mg but much higher doses are needed for stress relief: 1000mg is an effective dose that you can take for long periods without any problems. Vitamin C is rich in certain foods, such as dark leafy greens, citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes and red pepper.

Calcium
Calcium helps our nerves send messages to our brain,and helps to regulate our nerves and muscles stamina and helps us sleep. Calcium is found in milk, cheeses, yogurts, sardines and sesame seeds.

Iron
Iron is essential when our bodies are under stress because it helps the flow of oxygen in our bodies.  Sardines, wheat germ, eggs and spinach are all iron rich foods.

Magnesium
Magnesium is an essential stress supplements because it helps prevent the damage caused by excess adrenaline.   Magnesium rich foods include, apples, bananas, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and Tofu.

Potassium
Potassium is an important nutrient against chronic stress, the nervous system, and heart function. Potassium rich foods include artichokes, spinach, beans, dried fruits,  and bananas.

Zinc
A lack of zinc can cause irritability, depression, and a low immune system. Fresh oysters, sesame seeds, ginger, and red meat are all zinc rich foods.

If you are experiencing  high levels of stress, please contact your health care practitioner before making any changes to your health routine.

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5 Easy Stress Busters

stressed123The definition of stress is the result of any emotional, physical, mental, or social factor that requires a response or change.  Stresses can be physical, metabolic – such as an illness, or psychosocial – such as a death, divorce, or job loss.

Stress is categorizes as either acute or chronic.  Acute stress is the body’s immediate response to a perceived threat, while chronic stress results when a stressful situation persists over time.  Chronic stress can contribute to the breakdown of many bodily systems, such as your immune system.

Try these 5 tips the next time you are starting to feel stressed:

Spend time with friends and family

Talking with a trusted and loved friend or family member can reduce your feeling of stress by increasing your production of cortisol. Cortisol functions is to reduce inflammation in the body, however,  keeping cortisol levels  high over time can negatively affect your immune system.

Eat your dessert

Eating something sweet like chocolate (in moderation) is helpful in reducing stress because it helps to reduce the production of the stress hormone, glucocorticoid.

Take potassium
Research shows that increasing your potassium levels can help protect your body from the negative effects of stress by regulating your blood pressure.  One of the easiest ways to increase your potassium is to eat a banana.

Listen to the music you love
Listening to music you love; whether it’s classical, jazz or pop will fill your brain with feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine.

Walking outside
A 10 minutes walk in a park or green space can clear your head and boost endorphins which will reduces stress hormones.

Exercise
Personal trainer Ulrick Bien-Aimé had been working with stressed out clients for years – he has made these four moves mandatory (hold each pose for 15 seconds).

1. “Start by lying on your back with your legs straight and your hands on your abdomen, about two inches below your navel. Inhale slowly through your nostrils and focus on pulling in your belly. Exhale gradually while pushing your abdomen toward your back”.

2. “Next, bring your knees to your chest while continuing to inhale and exhale. Remember not to hold your breath—whenever you extend or exert energy, you should exhale”.

3. “Place your legs straight on the floor, then lift your right leg and bend it at the knee so your leg is at a 90-degree angle to the floor. Bring your right knee across your body until it touches the floor, making sure your shoulders remain flat. With your left hand, push down your knee to increase the stretch. Mirror this exercise on your left side”.

4. “Finally, lie flat on your back, and pull in your feet until the soles are touching to create a diamond shape on the ground. Spread your knees apart as far as possible and apply pressure with your hands. Pay attention to the parts of your body that begin to feel release—those are likely the places where you tend to trap tension”.

Try adapting your exercise to the type of stress you are dealing with.  If you are feeling out of control, try rhythmic exercise such as running, or swimming. If you feel you need to focus try yoga or Tai Chi and if you are feeling angry, try exercises like boxing or karate.

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Burnout – It’s What Happens After Stress

stress-article-1People who are dealing with stress, would like to have no stress in their lives; but that’s not realist. What they should be aiming for, is how to mange their stress.   Stress can increase the risk of conditions like heart disease, diabetes, depression; and can worsen many preexisting medical conditions.    Stress can affect you both instantly (acute stress) and over time (chronic stress).

Physical symptoms of stress include:

  • Increased heart rate and breathing
  • Headaches/ Migraines
  • Stiff neck /Shoulders
  • Back pain
  • Upset stomach

Emotional symptoms of stress include:

  • Feeling irritable & frustrated
  • Unable to deal with day to day effectively
  • Losing your temper more often
  • Loss of energy
  • Hard to focus on tasks

Long-term exposure to stress can lead to serious health problems. Chronic stress can suppress the immune system, increase the risk of stroke, and speed up the aging process. Whether the stress is physical or psychological, the body’s reaction to the stress has the same outcome.  Our bodies can handle small doses of stress, but they are not equipped to handle chronic stress without consequences.

What is burnout?

Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. Burnout happens as a by product of chronic stress. Burnout is a gradual process that occurs over time, and left unchecked, can lead to severe depression, and life threatening illnesses.

Physical symptoms of burnout include:

  • Feeling tired and drained most of the time
  • Change in appetite or sleep habits
  • Frequent headaches, back pain, muscle aches

Emotional symptoms of stress include:

  • Feeling of helplessness and hopelessness
  • Unable to deal with day to day issues
  • Feel tired all the time
  • Negative thoughts

 Behavioral symptoms of burnout

  • Withdrawing from responsibilities / Loss of motivation
  • Isolating yourself from others / disengagement
  • Using food, drugs, or alcohol to cope
  • Not sleeping

Help lower your stress levels by following these simple stress relief tips:

  • Deep breathing –  Just a few minutes of deep breathing can calm the physiologic stress response, such as shallow breathing, rapid heart beat and increased blood pressure.  One advantage to deep breathing for stress relief is that you can do it whenever you need it.
  • Avoid stress by managing your time and your commitments. Prioritize your tasks and activities for the day or week and rate how important or urgent they are.  At the same time,think about how you can redirect your time to activities that are important and meaningful to you.
  • Give yourself a time out – Taking five to ten minutes to step back and take a deep breath can help your body with the “fight or flight” response that stress causes. A few minutes of down time can help you deal with the issue at hand in a more calm and relaxed manner.
  • Physical activity is the number one way you can reduce the effects of stress. Exercise is a powerful stress reliever. Try to incorporate at least 30 minutes of exercise everyday.
  • Eat a healthy diet, and reduce your caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and sugar intake.
  • Relaxation techniques such as yoga, tai chi, and meditation can help the body to relax, and de-stress. These techniques can be used just before bed to help with sleep.
  • Get plenty of sleep – Keeping a sleep schedule and aim for 7-8 hours of sleep a night.

Help prevent burnout by following these simple tips:

  • Start your day with a relaxing ritual, such as stretches, yoga or hanging out with your pet.
  • Healthy eating, exercising, and sleeping habits will give you the energy and resilience to deal with life.
  • Set boundaries and remind yourself that saying “no” allows you to say “yes” to the activities that you enjoy.
  • Set a time each day when you completely disconnect from the outside world and have a “me” moment.
  • Creativity is a powerful antidote to burnout.  Choose activities that make you happy, like starting a fun project, getting a massage, or volunteering at something you strongly believe in.

Managing your stress involves changing the stressful situation when you can, changing how you react to those situations, and taking care of yourself by making time for rest and relaxation.

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10 Simple Ways to De-Stress Your Life

sh_destress_photoHere’s our top ten list to help you simplify & de-stress your life!

1.  Create a “public” calendar. Whether you have a large family or there is just two of you, using a public calendar will let you take a “big-picture” look at a glance.  You will be kept in the loop on items such as, when the strata meeting is, or when to schedule a dental appointment. Being able to visually see what everybody is doing will reduce the chance of frustration or surprise.

2.  Run all the errands during your work week, and don’t save them for your days off. Take back your days off by scheduling your to-do list during the week; before or after work, or during lunch breaks.

3.  Say ‘yes’ less often. Over extending yourself complicates your life, and learning to say no when you don’t want to do something is one of the quickest ways to leading an uncluttered life.

4.  Delete social networking accounts you don’t use, and spend less time online.

5.  Automate your finances by signing up for automatic bill pay and take advantage of technology. Apps and online calendars can help you plan and track your schedule, birthdays, errands, and monthly payments, which will simplify your life and reduce your stress.

6.  Learn to ask for help!  Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.  You can hire someone, ask a friend or delegate it to a family member. You don’t have to do it all by yourself.

7.  Learn to spend more time with people you like/love:  Eliminate the “Debbie Downers” and the toxic relationships that aren’t working for you.

8.  Get more sleep!

9.  Eat more fruits, veggies, and whole foods.

10.  Start waking up a few minutes earlier and plan your day by visualizing your schedule for that day. Getting up 15 – 20 minutes earlier  will allow you to enjoy a cup of coffee, and take a few minutes to yourself.  This routine will get you mentally set for the busy day ahead.

When your body is healthy and strong,  you are able to handle the daily stress in your life.  Another action plan to help you maintain your immune system, is to incorporate sessions of acupuncture and massage throughout the year.

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The Truth About Relaxing

The Truth About RelaxingWhen you are under stress, your body reacts as if it is under attack. This is called the fight-or-flight response.  Relaxing your body depends on you eliminating the tension in your muscles.  Stress affects all aspects of your life, including your emotions, sleep routines, relationships and if left unchecked  can lead to serious health issues.

Below are some relaxation tips that are easy to incorporate into your daily routine and especially for those times that you start to feel anxious, and tense.

  • Breathing exercises are one way to relax.   Take a deep breathe in, hold for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly.  Repeat  7 – 10 times.
  • Take a time out and listen to your favourite music for a few minutes
  • Try aromatherapy: place a drop of lavender, or other essential oil onto your wrists or hands. The scent can trigger smell receptors in the nose that connect to the part of the brain that regulates emotions.
  •  Distract yourself from the issue at hand.  Pick up a crossword puzzle or a game of Sudoku. Brain games that require concentration can help take your mind off the stressful situation.

Try to incorporate these tips for relaxing when you have more time available.

  • Take a hot shower
  • Go for a walk with your pet
  • Spend a few minutes meditating or try imagining yourself  in your “Happy Place”.  That could be a childhood memory, a  favorite vacation spot or an imaginary place.  The idea is to get you to stop thinking about what caused  your stress.
  • Keep a journal
  • Yoga!!!   When you become stressed, your body releases hormones that speed up your heart rate and make your muscles tense.

Relaxation

  • gives the heart a rest by slowing the heart rate
  • reduces blood pressure & increases blood flow
  • decreases muscle tension

As you become more relaxed, you will:

  •  sleep better and have more energy
  • have less headaches
  • increase your concentration
  • increase your ability to handle frustration and stressful situations

A variety of different relaxation techniques can help you bring your nervous system back into balance.  There is no single relaxation technique that is best for everyone.   The right relaxation plan is the one that fits your lifestyle,  is easy to incorporate into your daily routine and helps you to relax!

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Benefits of Massage Therapy

Experts estimate that upwards of eighty percent of disease is stress related; and nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. While eliminating anxiety and stress altogether is not realistic, massage has been proven to help manage stress.

Overall Health Benefit of Massage Therapy:

  • Massage therapy increases blood circulation & pumps more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.
  • Massage stimulates the lymph system, the body’s natural defense, against toxic invaders.
  • Helps in releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller.
  • Relieves pain and decreases the need for medication.
  • Can relax tense and tightened muscles.
  • Reduces overall stress. It helps the body’s stress response by lowering levels of stress hormones such as cortisol.
Benefits Of Massage Therapy | Massage Victoria BC

Benefits Of Massage Therapy

Physical Benefit of Massage Therapy:

  • Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness
  • Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and ligaments; reduces pain and swelling
  • Reduces muscle spasms
  • Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion
  • Reduces blood pressure
  • Enhances the health and nourishment of skin & strengthens the immune system

Emotional Benefit of Massage Therapy:

  • Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
  • Satisfies needs for caring nurturing touch
  • Fosters a feeling of well-being and reduces levels of anxiety

Getting a massage on a regular schedule can play a huge part in your overall health.  Budgeting time and money for massages at consistent intervals is truly an investment in your health.  Consider massage appointments a necessary piece of your health and wellness plan, and work with your practitioner to establish a treatment schedule that best meets your needs.

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