Managing Holiday Stress
January 4th, 2010
The holidays may be fun but they can also contribute to stress. Stress can manifest as a general pain condition, elevated blood pressure, insomnia, digestive disorders, and headache. You should attempt to maintain your normal routine during the holidays.
Reduce holiday stress by:
- Exercising regularly.
- Taking time for relaxing activities.
- Avoiding elaborate holiday food and gift preparations.
Acupuncture can aid in reducing stress by increasing levels of endorphins, natural pain-killing chemicals in the brain. Acupuncture lowers levels of cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, which when elevated causes blood pressure to rise and may lead to a weakened immune system.
Acupuncture can improve blood circulation, which oxygenates tissues, decreases heart rate and relaxes muscles. In addition to acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine formulas may be integrated into your treatment plan to speed health restoration. Herbs can reduce stress symptoms while enhancing acupuncture therapy.
Biochemical reactions in the human body occur in response to stress; chemicals released into the bloodstream produce physical changes, such as higher blood pressure, muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, and increased breathing rate.
If the stress is prolonged, this can result in development of adverse health conditions and symptoms, such as fatigue, hair loss, panic attacks, strain, and palpitations.
Acupuncture reduces stress in several ways: By promoting deeper and more relaxed breathing, reducing pain, strengthening the digestive system, and improving sleep patterns. Acupuncture strengthens blood and qi flow to muscles and nerve channels and balances the nervous system.
For information about acupuncture for the treatment of stress call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500.
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