Have you heard it said that “the only constant in life is change”? This quote is often attributed to the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, and certainly gives us pause for thought. Understandably, changes that involve a loss of some kind are particularly difficult to manage. In the western world, it’s common to imagine our lives on […]
Category: Stress
Learn to minimize stress
Dealing with emotions is never easy. Even less so, when they happen to be very painful, traumatic, or intense. To avoid having to face the potential pain and discomfort, we tend to ignore them. Not realizing that by doing so, the harm that they can (and will) cause only intensifies. Releasing emotions stored in the body […]
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Yoga for Trauma Release
In yoga and other “alternative” healing methods, it is widely known and accepted that trauma leaves its mark on both the mind and body. Various theories exist in modern psychology that attempt to explain the mind-body connection (or disconnection) resulting from a traumatic event. We know that yoga and mindful movement serve to increase strength […]
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How to Reset Your Nervous System
In a previous article, I explained the difference between the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS). These two systems are the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and both have an enormous effect on our well-being. Together with the HPA axis, they play a big role in our […]
Fatigue, difficulty falling asleep, brain fog, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, low blood pressure, increased sugar and/or salt cravings, and unintentional weight gain or weight loss. These are just some of the many potential symptoms of HPA axis dysfunction. What is HPA axis dysfunction? Or even the HPA axis itself? Before I answer that, first […]
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HPA Axis Explained
Did you know that your body contains an interactive and ever-dynamic neuroendocrine (i.e., involving both the nervous system and the endocrine system) unit that is composed of three hormone-secreting organs? It is called the HPA axis and it plays a key role in your body’s response to stress. Broadly speaking, stress refers to the disruption […]
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How to Solve Stress Management
The world is currently dealing with a lot: all around the globe we are fighting an invisible enemy. Unemployment rates are soaring. And slowly, but steadily we are seeing the effects that prolonged social distancing has on our mental health. This leads employers and employees to strategize on how to solve stress management, in the workplace. […]
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3 Stages of Stress Response
The General Adaptation Syndrome (3 stages of stress response) Fatigue, insomnia, irritability, poor concentration, confusion, frustration, and anxiety. Both the physical and psychological effects of stress are numerous and often easily recognizable. But do you also know what the different stages of stress are? Coined by Hans Selye in 1950, the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) […]
The practice of meditation is more than 3,000 years old and, incredibly, it’s only in recent years that we’re understanding the full power of this ancient exercise. Traditionally, meditation has been associated with certain eastern-world religions and spiritual customs. It has been employed as a form of prayer, a way to feel connected with the […]
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How to Manage Stress Without Medication
“The practice of meditation helps us to release the tension—within the body, within the mind, within the emotions—so that healing can take place.” – Thich Nhat Hanh, “This Is the Buddha’s Love” Learning how to manage stress without medication is a useful skillset. In this post we will look at various alternatives. Although “stress” itself isn’t […]