The Stress Epidemic: How It's Harming Your Health and Happiness

Stress –

it's a word we hear often, but do we truly understand its impact on our health and well-being? Research suggests that up to 90% of all illnesses are either caused or exacerbated by stress. And yet, in today's fast-paced world, stress has become an unfortunate companion for many of us, silently wreaking havoc on our bodies and minds. From the mundane pressures of daily life to major life events, stress manifests in various forms and can take a significant toll on our health.

I am intimately familiar with the detrimental impact stress can have on the body. In fact, stress became the catalyst for my journey to functional medicine and chiropractic care. During my undergraduate and graduate studies, I found myself… balancing a full-time job, striving to excel academically, maintaining a rigorous fitness routine and trying to have some semblance of a social life. However, after approximately three years of this demanding lifestyle, my well-being began to deteriorate. Persistent exhaustion, debilitating brain fog, and an inability to concentrate consumed me and led to two car accidents within a single month. No matter how much I slept, I couldn't kick the overwhelming feeling of fatigue. It wasn't until I moved to Greenville, SC and discovered functional medicine that I found a path to recovery. After a year-long journey of holistic healing, I was able to completely overhaul my life and start feeling human again.

So, what exactly is stress, and how does it affect us? At its core, stress is our body's natural response to perceived threats or challenges. When we encounter a stressful situation, our bodies release a surge of hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline, priming us for a “fight-or-flight”, or sympathetic response. While this response is essential for survival in acute situations, such as escaping a predator, it becomes detrimental when stress becomes chronic and pervasive

Chronic stress takes a toll on virtually every system in our bodies.

Stress and Mental Health:

One of the most evident manifestations of chronic stress is its impact on mental health. Persistent stress can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. The constant activation of the body's stress response system can disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters, (the chemical messengers in the brain) like serotonin and dopamine affecting our ability to regulate emotions and cope with everyday challenges. Over time, this can contribute to a downward spiral of worsening mental health and decreased quality of life.

But the effects of stress extend beyond the realm of mental well-being. It can also take a toll on our physical health in numerous ways.

Stress and the Immune System:

Stress’s profound impact on our hormonal balance, particularly the release of cortisol, comes into play when talking about stress’s role on the immune system.  Elevated cortisol levels impair immune function making us more susceptible to infections and illnesses. It also disrupts sleep patterns, and increases inflammation throughout the body.

Prolonged stress can also suppress the immune response, making it harder for the body to fight off pathogens effectively. This can lead to more frequent colds and infections, as well as slower wound healing and recovery from illnesses.

Stress and the Gut Health:

Stress and gut health share a profound connection, often referred to as the gut-brain axis. A big part of the gut-brain axis is the enteric nervous system, a complex network of neurons and neurotransmitters often referred to as the "second brain”. These neurons and neurotransmitters communicate bi-directionally with the central nervous system, meaning that stress not only affects the gut but gut health can also influence stress. This oftentimes creates a vicious cycle of dysfunction.

When we experience stress, it can also directly impact the functioning of our gastrointestinal system. One way stress affects the gut is through the complex ecosystem of microbes known as the microbiota, which is responsible for digestion, immune function, and overall health. Chronic stress can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in the microbiota and lead to changes in gut motility, secretion of digestive enzymes, and permeability of the intestinal barrier.  

Additionally, stress can exacerbate conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and functional dyspepsia, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea.

Stress Management Techniques:

As a chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner, in Greenville, SC, I firmly believe in addressing the root causes of health issues rather than merely treating symptoms. When it comes to stress management, this means taking a holistic approach that considers the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. Here are some strategies that I often recommend to my patients:

1.     Mindfulness and Meditation:

Cultivating mindfulness through practices such as meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help calm the mind, reduce stress levels, and promote a sense of inner peace and well-being. At Sol Wellness, we work one-on-one with our clients to figure out what mindfulness techniques work best for them and how to implement them into their busy lives.

2.     Nutritional Support:

Eating a balanced diet rich in whole foods, antioxidants, and essential nutrients can help support the body's resilience to stress and promote overall health and vitality. At Sol Wellness, we create a comprehensive diet protocol tailored to our clients and their specific needs and routines.

3.     Movement and Exercise:

Engaging in regular physical activity not only helps to relieve stress and tension in the body but also releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. At Sol Wellness we place emphasis on developing workout regimens that take into account our clients specific needs in every season.

4.     Adequate Sleep:

Prioritizing quality sleep is essential for restoring the body and mind, improving mood, and enhancing overall resilience to stress. At Sol Wellness, we help our clients to recognize the importance of a sleep routine and provide them with custom health tips to improve the overall quality of their sleep.

5.     Chiropractic Care:

Regular chiropractic adjustments at Sol Wellness can help optimize spinal alignment, alleviate tension in the nervous system and promote better communication between the brain and body, all of which can lead to improved stress responses.

6.     Herbal Remedies and Adaptogens:

Certain herbs and adaptogenic supplements have been shown to support the body's response to stress and promote relaxation and balance. At Sol Wellness, you are able to work one-on-one with Dr. Jess to develop a supplementation regimen made specifically for you.