"STRESS" has now become one of the most common words a doctor gets to hear in practice. Being a physician in the city of Mumbai, I get to hear it even more so. This is due to the mad pace at which we live in this metropolis. Its uncanny that no matter how many advances we make and how hard we try to simplify things it only adds to the number of stressful events in our lives. Job insecurities, marital problems, divorce, increased crime rate, pollution etc….

WHAT IS STRESS ?

Stress has been defined in medical terms as a reaction to adverse circumstances that tend to disturb the normal physiologic equilibrium. This is not something that has come up in the recent past but has been there since evolution. These are responses of the body that have developed over the centuries but have come into focus now. Our body has fantastic defense mechanisms to fight adverse situations and adapt. Hormones play a huge part in this stress management. One of the key hormones are something called Endorphins.

WHAT ARE ENDORPHINS?

I'm sure some of you must have heard of this word ENDORPHIN being used but what really is it and what is so special about it? Endorphins and other morphine like substances are hormones produced in our body as a response to physical or emotional stress. They bring about various chemical reactions and these send signals to our brain to provide relief from pain and adapt to the situation.

Endorphins have a wide range of functions which include regulating body temperature, our digestive functions and appetite, controlling the sexual and growth hormones and thyroid functions. They help in reducing anxiety and pain. These are released naturally when we exercise hence it is very essential to exercise as a part of stress management.

 

WHAT DAMAGE CAN STRESS DO TO YOUR SYSTEM?

STRESS can cause havoc in your body producing a wide range of symptoms. Here are a few symptoms associated with stress:-

headaches

sleeplessness

ulcers

gastric disturbances like colitis

anxiety attacks

infertility

high blood pressure

asthma and other respiratory disorders

depression

skin problems like Psoriasis

cancer

Hair loss

Unfortunately the level stress is only increasing in our daily existence. So how do we deal with it in order to be able to cope, adapt and adjust to various stresses that life offers you?

This can be tackled by efficient STRESS MANAGEMENT AND HOMOEOPATHY.

 

HOW DO WE MANAGE STRESS?

Here are a few handy tips on how a person can tackle their own stress.

EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Start moving, walking, exercising. This makes your body naturally release the endorphins and make you feel good and energetic. Also your cardiovascular gets charged up like a car battery. Just as the car does'nt function when not used for a long time your body to takes long to respond if not used regularly. Research on the psychological effects of exercise have shown that regular physical activity can improve your self esteem and state of mind. It reduces depression, anxiety and improves the way you deal with stress.

Daily routine should include at least an hour of physical activity. It can be fast walking, jogging, stretching, climbing your stairs etc.. try not to use the elevator, park your car away from your work place and walk, play with your children in the garden. Just remember to keep moving.

SLEEP

Most people require a minimum of 7 to 8 hours of sleep, some need more than this. Many studies have confirmed that adequate sleep improves a person's ability to deal with stress and a person's energy levels. If you can grab 15 minutes rest in the afternoon after lunch by even putting your head on the table and dozing, this will perk you up. This is known as a POWER NAP.

MEDITATION

A few minutes of meditation a day will bring a sense of calmness and peace in our fast paced lives. By deep breathing we can release some of our stress.

 

WHAT ROLE DOES HOMOEOPATHY PLAY IN MANAGING STRESS?

As we have seen stress is not a disease but a group of symptoms produced by an individual's weakness. In Homoeopathy we treat each patient individually according to his personality. Each individual under stress reacts in way unique to that person only. These symptoms can be taken care of with Homoeopathy while also trying to treat what stress brought it on in the first place. Each individual is genetically weak in some area and prone to affections of that part so that when stress comes along that area is the first to be affected. Homoeopathy tries to improve the body's immunity and resistance especially in the weak areas therefore making it stronger and more resilient to stress.

The Constitutional remedy is the drug of choice in these cases. The commonest stress related problems that we come across are physical and mental restlessness, fear and anxiety, a great sinking of strength, heavy pulsating, bursting headache with nausea and giddiness. Aconite 200 in repeated doses will reduce the anxiety and fear.

Some people breakup in allergic skin rashes (urticaria) when under stress. Small red, oedematus rash with severe itching and burning, Arsenic Album 30 will give relief.

Due to examination fear many students have failed or avoided appearing for exams. Gelsemium 200 will settle them.

If you are experiencing a discomfort in the abdomen every time you go out of your house adding to your anxiety then this can be helped by Argentum Nit 200.

Chronic illness like asthma, psoriasis, gastritis, irritable bowel disease, all arising due to mental stress can be very well controlled if treated correctly by diet, exercise, rest and Homoeopathy.

 

Readers are advised that the medical advice offered in this article pertains to the generalized treatment of condition. Kindly consult your doctor before self-medication.