Finding a correct level
S T R E S S
It can wreak havoc on one’s health!
We all experience stress from time-to-time at different levels and variances as it is an unavoidable consequence of living. Hans Selye (who coined the term as it is currently used) noted, "Without stress, there would be no life".
There are two types of stress; one being eurostress, which is good stress (ie winning a competition), and the other being distress, which is bad stress (ie losing the competition). However, these two types of stress can trigger very different biological responses ranging from wellness to disease. One must find the proper level of stress to enable him or her to perform optimally as we go through life.
What is Stress?
The body responds hormonally to stress by releasing stress hormones called epinephrine or adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones result in increased blood sugar and insulin levels and can impair one’s efforts to stay in the Zone. Virtually all systems (ie the heart and blood vessels, the immune system, the lungs, the digestive system, the sensory organs, and brain) are modified to meet what they believe to be a perceived danger.
Stress can also be referred to as acute (ie short-term) or chronic (long-term).
Acute stress is the body’s reaction to an immediate threat and is often referred to as the fight or flight response. In most cases once the threat has passed one‘s stress hormones will return to normal.
Chronic stress is a result of on-going stressful situations that are not short-lived. The fight or flight response must be suppressed and as a result the stress becomes chronic. Unfortunately, chronic stress will chronically elevate insulin levels. Weight gain and a wide variety of other negative consequences will result from chronic stress.
The Zone Can Help Control Stress
A hormonally correct diet is one’s primary tool to improve emotional control. Conversely, a hormonally incorrect diet is one’s passport to emotional chaos.
Emotions cannot be isolated, but hormones can. Since eicosanoids are controlled by the Zone diet, it is possible the Zone diet can be used to manipulate emotions.
For example, when we are stressed or depressed we tend to reach for carbohydrate rich foods (ie chips, chocolates, dessert, alcohol) which give a temporary increase in blood glucose to the brain. Unfortunately, this causes an insulin spike, glucagon is suppressed, cortisol is increased and bad eicosanoids are produced, which leads to more depression. It is a vicious cycle!! Improved control over insulin and eicosanoid balance leads to better emotional health.
To help reduce stress one should:
- supplement with pharmaceutical grade fish oil
- reduce excess insulin by following the Zone
- exercise
- meditate - Yoga is a great stress reliever and has been clinically proven to lower cortisol levels
- book frequent massages
- take time for recreation
- take mini vacations
- laugh - laughter reduces stress hormone levels
- think positively
