Stress is an adaptive response to a physical or psychological threat. The tension triggers the body and activates the escape mechanism.
The brain secretes the stimulating hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which causes the heart to beat faster, pump extra blood to certain organs, and blood pressure increases, the muscles adapt, and the senses sharpen.
Stress is a natural response that the body needs to function properly. However, when the body experiences it too often or for a long time, this can have adverse consequences and lead to physical or psychological complaints. To minimize unnecessary stress, it is important to be aware of which stressors we are all subject to.
Stressors and oxidative stress
There are several causes that can lead to stress in the body. A well-known cause of stress is pressure imposed by our work, pressure that we put on ourselves in any way, and a lack of relaxation and sleep can also lead to stress.
In addition, there are various lifestyle factors and external factors that can lead to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is caused by excess free radicals that damage healthy tissues and cells in the body. This leads to inflammation which in turn leads to oxidative stress. As a result, there is a great chance of faster body aging with all its consequences.
The body is constantly exposed to various stressors that can lead to an excess of free radicals with all the consequences that entails. Examples of these stressors include:
- An excess of processed food and soft drinks where nowadays more and more harmful substances have been added, including sugars, trans fats, hormones, preservatives, antibiotics and so on.
- Taking medication containing foreign chemicals that are toxic to the body
- Tobacco smoke and alcohol
- Environmental pollution and radiation exposure
- No exercise or heavy physical exertion and overload
- Worry
- Exposure stimuli, such as to smartphones
The risk of oxidative stress is therefore lurking every day. One is more subject to it than the other, but we all have to deal with it. Antioxidants help to protect the body by neutralizing free radicals and thus counteracting oxidative stress.
A healthy lifestyle
Limiting unhealthy stress as much as possible starts with a healthy lifestyle. Choose healthy and preferably unprocessed food with sufficient antioxidants. Try to avoid sugars as much as possible so that your body receives as few harmful substances as possible. This is also an excellent way to bring your neurotransmitter levels back into balance.
Do not smoke, limit alcohol intake and avoid contact with radiation. Of course, a healthy lifestyle also includes sufficient exercise and enough sleep. A bad night’s sleep can cause stress and stress can in turn lead to a bad night’s sleep. Therefore, make sure you have a fixed bedtime, avoid caffeine and alcohol in the evening and again electrical appliances from the bedroom, which will ensure a better night’s sleep.
Have a healthy brain
Stress can lead to a strong dysregulation of the important neurotransmitters and dysregulation of neurotransmitters can in turn lead to stress. Neurotransmitters are also called our brain or happiness hormones, they are the important substances that ensure that the brain (nerve cells) can do their job.
Communication between the millions of cells in the brain takes place via these signal substances. Important neurotransmitters are dopamine serotonin and acetylcholine. One of the brain’s tasks is to make us feel good. When there is an imbalance in our happiness hormones as a result of stress, this can lead to various complaints.
It is therefore extremely important to keep our brain healthy. Unprocessed and healthy food as discussed above is of great importance for a healthy brain. In addition, it is important to drink enough water, and supplements containing the right nutrients can support a healthy brain.
Provide relaxation
In addition to a healthy lifestyle and sufficient exercise, relaxation is also important to protect yourself against stress. Relaxation can be done in many ways; go out into nature, read a book or unwind completely in a warm bath. In order to relax even better, we recommend mediation, an attention training in which you bring your attention to the moment and ensures more peace of mind and a better connection between the brain and the body. In this way, stress hormones in the body can be lowered and you will experience positive effects such as more relaxation and balance.
A positive mindset
Negative thoughts can lead to stress and can literally make someone sick. You can reduce stress by choosing a positive mindset by stopping negative thoughts. The first step is recognizing your negative thoughts and consciously reflecting on them. Then you can turn this step by step into positive thoughts. Ultimately, a new and more positive thinking pattern will arise and you will experience less and less stress. It is also very important to have as much fun as possible. We don’t say for anything: laughter is healthy!
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