Stressed Out? The Types of Stress and How to Avoid Them!
By Apricot Power
Newsletters
April 2018 Newsletter
Stress Awareness
Finances got you worried? Problems at work? Things at home causing tension? Feeling overwhelmed and having trouble with demands being put on you? You’re not alone. According to a survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), the average stress levels in the U.S. rose from 4.9 to 5.1 on a scale from 1 to 10 from 2014 to 2015. And 24% of American adults reported a stress level above 8, up 18% from the previous year!
Stress May Be a Serious Health Risk
Stress slows down the digestive and immune systems. Someone that has a stronger reaction to stress may find it triggering health problems. Stress also depletes your body of essential vitamins and minerals.
Three Types of Stress
There are three different types of stress. Each has its own characteristics and each requires a different level of management.
Acute Stress
The most common form of stress is acute stress, which is a short-term stress. In small doses, it can be exciting, but too much could be exhausting. The excitement of a physically demanding sport like cycling or motocross racing may be exciting, but overdoing it could lead to psychological distress, tension headaches, upset stomach and other symptoms.
Fortunately, because acute stress is short term, it doesn’t have enough time to do the extensive damage associated with long-term stress. It is highly treatable and manageable.
Episodic Acute Stress
Those that live their lives in chaos and disorganization, are always in a rush, always late, and have too much on their plate, are mired in episodic acute stress. They can become short-tempered, irritable, anxious and tense. “Type A” personalities are associated with episodic acute stress. It can lead to persistent tension headaches, migraines, hypertension, and heart disease.
Episodic acute stress sufferers can be resistant to change; however, the promise of relief from pain and discomfort of their symptoms may help keep them in treatment and on track in a recovery program.
Chronic Stress
Chronic stress is the most dangerous of all types of stress. It wears people away day by day and can destroy bodies, minds, and lives. People with chronic stress give up hope in the search for a solution, but the worst part of chronic stress is that people get used to it. Chronic stress can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other major diseases.
Be Aware Of The Signs
There are numerous emotional and physical disorders linked to stress. There’s also a growing list of common signs and symptoms of stress. For the sake of helping you become stress aware, we will only list a few of them. We encourage you to do your own research. If you feel that you have some of the signs and symptoms, seek out a doctor’s advice.
- Frequent headaches, jaw clenching or pain
- Gritting, grinding teeth
- Stuttering or stammering
- Tremors, trembling of lips, hands
- Neck ache, back pain, muscle spasms
- Lightheadedness, faintness, dizziness
- Ringing, buzzing or “popping sounds
- Frequent blushing, sweating
- Cold or sweaty hands, feet
- Dry mouth, problems swallowing
Supplements That May Help
Supplements work hand-in-hand with exercise, a responsible diet, plenty of rest, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Again, seek a doctor’s advice if you feel you are experiencing any of the 3 types of stress.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral essential for nerve and muscle function. Although most people who eat a balanced diet get enough magnesium, an analysis of data from the 2005- 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that a majority of Americans consume less than they should. Taking a magnesium supplement may help.
Green Tea
L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea leaves. Some studies show that it may help reduce psychological and physiological stress responses.
Vitamin B-Complex
B vitamins are important for cell metabolism. Low energy and fatigue can contribute to irritability and stress levels. This is why the B vitamins, which are well-known for keeping energy levels high and improving cognitive performance, may have a positive effect on you.
Multivitamins
Some multivitamin formulas include a good mix of different ingredients that may provide relief from common stress symptoms and help with relaxation. A complete daily vitamin should include high-quality vitamins, minerals, and supplements.
What the Heck is...
There is a whole world of vitamins, nutrients, and supplements in the market. It’s very difficult to know everything about each of them and what their benefits may be. This column will highlight a different vitamin or supplement each month what its benefits may be. This month we are featuring Alpha-Threonic C.
What is “Threonic”?
You may be taking high doses of vitamin C, but can your body utilize all of it? Adding threonic acid to our vitamin C supplement offers unique absorption abilities. It helps promote absorption. Threonic acid as a vitamin C metabolite helps boost the bioavailability (the ability of a nutrient to be used by the cells quickly) and potency of calcium ascorbate, a buffered, non-acidic type of vitamin C.
Raise Your Body’s Alkaline Level
Calcium ascorbate has a pH (potential of hydrogen) of around 7.1, which means it can raise the body’s alkaline stores. This is very important in managing organ health, blood oxygen levels, and immune response.
Vitamin C+
Transport C PLUS™ has been added to our formula. It represents the “next generation” of Vitamin C. This branded ingredient has been carefully designed, evaluated, and tested to accommodate the growing demand for a nutritional supplement that can increase the absorption of Vitamin C over long periods of time. That means it is great for those that have sensitive stomachs.
BENEFITS
Vitamin C has been well-researched for decades. There are many benefits to taking it. Here a just a few of them.
May Relieve Stress: A recent meta-analysis showed vitamin C was beneficial to individuals whose immune system was weakened due to stress.
May Help Colds: Taking vitamin C for colds and flu may reduce the risk of developing further complications.
Skin Aging: Higher vitamin C intakes may lower the likelihood of a wrinkled appearance, and improve dryness and aging of the skin.
Antioxidant: Vitamin C is one of many antioxidants that may protect against damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals, as well as toxic chemicals and pollutants like cigarette smoke.