The Art of Aging Well and Stress

As we all know, stress and aging are a part of life.  We can’t stop either one, however, we can make life changes by choosing differently and taking action.  This includes the art and the science of both aging and stress.

The first step to understanding what stress is and how it affects you.

Psychology Today Says:

Stress is simply a reaction to a stimulus that disturbs our physical or mental equilibrium. In other words, it’s an omnipresent part of life. A stressful event can trigger the “fight-or-flight” response, causing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol to surge through the body. A little bit of stress, known as “acute stress,” can be exciting—it keeps us active and alert. But long-term, or “chronic stress,” can have detrimental effects on health. You may not be able to control the stressors in your world, but you can alter your reaction to them.

Wikipedia Says:

Physiological or biological stress is an organism’s response to a stressor such as an environmental condition. Stress is a body’s method of reacting to a challenge. According to the stressful event, the body’s way to respond to stress is by sympathetic nervous system activation which results in the fight-or-flight response. Because the body cannot keep this state for long periods of time, the parasympathetic system returns the body’s physiological conditions to normal (homeostasis). In humans, stress typically describes a negative condition or a positive condition that can have an impact on a person’s mental and physical well-being.

WebMD Says:

Stress is what you feel when you have to handle more than you are used to. When you are stressed, your body responds as though you are in danger. It makes hormones that speed up your heart, make you breathe faster, and give you a burst of energy. This is called the fight-or-flight stress response.

Some stress is normal and even useful. Stress can help if you need to work hard or react quickly. For example, it can help you win a race or finish an important job on time.

But if stress happens too often or lasts too long, it can have bad effects. It can be linked to headaches, an upset stomach, back pain, and trouble sleeping. It can weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight off disease. If you already have a health problem, stress may make it worse. It can make you moody, tense, or depressed. Your relationships may suffer, and you may not do well at work or school.

AgeWellMD Says:

Life will be life – meaning always full of ups and downs.  The art is learning to ebb and flows with it.   The science is learning to support your body with the basics; sleep, exercise, and nutrition.

With today’s busy lifestyle and greater exposure to environmental toxins, the basics may not be enough.  Exploring options for hormone balance may be the added support you need to age well – happy, active, alive and well!