Day 24 of the 60 Day Ultimate Optimization Challenge
HAPPY Day 24!!!
Who’s stressed out today? :) I can safely assume you are.
I had two young kids when I started this wellness journey and I thought that I didn’t have time to destress… That it was for people who weren’t busy… That it was for people who had extra time. But, I had an IDEA that wellness was ESSENTIAL for good health.
In our western world, it's a faux pas to rest. But when I looked at the science of stress—everything changed. In my experience, it's essential to first learn about the stress response in general, and then move on to tips to reduce it.
Today, we will discuss why stress is so bad for you! Did you know that stress sends a signal to our brain that we are in danger and our brain shifts into a “danger zone” function? Here are some facts about stress:
This means most of our resources are going to our big muscles (to help you run) to parts of the brain that help you stay alert. Oftentimes, you won’t be able to fall asleep when you’re stressed because your body releases blood sugar to help you in case you are going to be active.
You tense your muscles and start to breathe very shallow.
Stress weakens the immune system, causing high blood pressure, fatigue, depression, anxiety and even heart disease. In particular, too much epinephrine can cause heart issues, but stress can be a good thing in short bursts.
Your homework for today is: The next time you are stressed, bring awareness to your breath and see how you feel.
Head to the official 60 Day Ultimate Optimization Challenge facebook group
Don't forget to use hashtag #optimizemechallenge to share your journey and connect with others.
Have questions? Please email info@amymdwellness.com