Stress and Health
 Many
people
understand that looking after yourself is important, but often
don’t understand how bad habits can affect all aspects of
life.
Beware! There is a direct link between stress
and health.
When a
person eats a diet high in sugar, fats, and processed foods it can lead
to many health problems. Some of these problems are obesity,
heart disease, and diabetes, just to name a few. Another
problem
with eating this type of diet is that it can directly affect your
stress levels. High levels of stress can lead to other health
problems such as the
inability to sleep, digestive problems,
depression, eating disorders, and even chronic pain.
A diet high in
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats is the best diet for
most people. When the body receives all of the important
nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs, it will function at the
best level possible. When the diet includes too much sugar,
fats,
and processed foods it usually leaves the body feeling sluggish and
tired. By simply changing the diet the body will respond
accordingly. If a person decides to go cold turkey and cut
out
all bad food at once, there can be a short period of several days to a
week where they may lack energy. This can be normal for some
people and isn’t a cause for worry. The body is
just
responding to not getting what it’s used to getting.
Another way to take
good care of the body is through exercise. Exercise can take
many
forms and most people will tend to stick with it if they find something
they really enjoy. While going to the gym may not be for
everybody, there are plenty of fun types of exercise for
everyone. Even going for daily walks can be very beneficial.
When the body is
working out there is increased oxygen delivered to the brain.
This can translate to greater memory and a clearer mind. Many
people feel a natural high during and after working out which is caused
by the release of hormones called endorphins. When a person
works
out frequently, these endorphins ensure a better mood overall.
Another important
way to look after yourself is to get enough sleep. It seems
as if
everyone is so busy and life gets so hectic that we are constantly on
the go. It isn’t unusual for a person to get to bed
late
several nights a week, only to have to wake to the blaring of an
alarm. A short term lack of proper sleep typically
won’t do
the body much harm. A long term lack of sleep can cause
serious
health problems.
A study done on
athletes in the U.S. found some interesting things out. The
effects of sleep can result in better mood, more alertness and an
overall feeling of well being. Sleep deprivation can lead to
irritability, fatigue, lack of concentration, and anxiety, while both
mental and physical abilities deteriorate. Until recently,
not
much was known about sleep and its affect on athletes, if
any.
This research shows that if an athlete gets more sleep than in their
normal sleep-wake cycle, they perform better. Depending on
the
sport, the athlete is faster, more accurate, and has a quicker reaction
time.
While we are not
all high performing athletes, the study does give us some good
information. Sleep can greatly influence our performance in
many
areas. Getting a good nights sleep can be one of the best
ways to
take care of the body. If a person is willing to eat right,
get
exercise, and get the proper amount of sleep it can pave the way to
living a healthy, harmonious life.
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