Happy Spring, neighbors! 

There is no more perfect time to think about the daily activities we do to impact our physical and mental health than now. Stressors, more precisely, distressers, affect areas of our health that we may not think about, from blood pressure to sleep. Distressers are things that we tend to negatively focus on and worry about. That worry or anxiousness can cause muscle tension and spasms, reflux, chest pain, anxiety, and depression. The physiological effects of stress cause the arterioles to tighten and push our blood pressure up causing our heart, brain, kidneys, and muscles to work harder. High blood pressure then becomes a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. 

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve assessed chest pain that is esophagitis or gastritis caused by stress. Stress can cause higher levels of acid in the stomach (have you heard of stress ulcers?); the acid then comes up and irritates the esophagus- causing pain in the chest. If we can improve the stress, we can heal the reflux, and in turn, the chest pain resolves. Stress is the root cause of so many medical problems we see.

Mindfulness is a fabulous tool that can be used when we first recognize the stress starting to build up. Mindfulness is defined as paying attention, on purpose, to the moment. Step back, breathe, assess the situation, fix what you can, reach out for help, and let go of the rest. Find your place of respite, that place where you realize you cannot control everything, and let go. Prayer, meditation, and exercise are so beneficial. I personally have found that just giving it to God takes a huge load off. Exercise releases endorphins to help naturally relax the muscles. It improves circulation and helps to lower blood pressure. A diet low in sodium also helps with decreasing blood pressure.

If you feel like your stress is just too much and you no longer have control, reach out for help. We have all been there at some time or another, and you don’t have to handle it alone. Your doctor can assess your physical symptoms, treat them, evaluate any other problems that have arisen from your stress, and work with you on a plan for improvement. If you’re in need of a primary care doctor, Doctors Direct is a full service medical practice, here to help! If the stress feels immediately too much to bear, the MentalHealthHotline.org number is 833-454-3516, and they are a wonderful resource to have.