Part 3
How many posttraumatic stress disorder diagnoses exist as a result of Sandy, Katrina or some other natural disaster that seem to occur on regular basis?
For the rest of us that haven’t experienced Sandy, Sandy Hook or war, the American Institute of Stress identified common causes of stress(1) childhood trauma,(2) death of a loved one, (3)divorce, (4) finances, (5)job, (6)health, (7) personal relationships, (8) caregiver for critically ill child or spouse,(9) pregnancy, (10) danger.
Other comments about chronic stress and if present results in difficulties such as getting into deep sleep. In this condition, the body doesn’t receive its necessary restoration. And without restoration, this leads to chronic fatigue and an increased risk for health problems.
Does being married help? According to the Terman longevity project, the researchers found that married people do not necessarily live healthier and longer than unmarried people, but married men do; steadily married men are healthier and live longer than single, divorced and remarried, and, especially, divorced men; divorce is particularly stressful for men and only about a third of these men make it to old age; steadily married women live longer and healthier than women who are divorced and remarried, but we’re not much healthier or longer lived than single women or women who divorced and lived alone; being divorced was much less harmful to women’s health into a man’s.
How is memory affected? Prolonged exposure to chronic stress causes atrophy of the frontal and hippocampus areas of the brain resulting in a reduced ability to encode and consolidate new memories. However during acute stress (hormones like nor epinephrine and epinephrine arouse and excite the hippo campus and amygdala) and thus we create powerful memories of the stressful event so that we will remember these events and be able to either avoid or cope with them in the future.
What about obesity? There appears to be a connection between chronic stress and obesity. Research studies show that about two thirds of people eat more than usual when they are stressed. Cortisol is released during chronic stress and stimulates appetite so that the body can replace the energy being released in the flight, flight or freeze response. As cortisol sticks around for a while with its long half-life there’s a period of prolonged increased appetite after acute stress as well. On top of that there is a craving for very high calorie fatty or sweet foods like burgers, fries and sweet treats. Because of the increased caloric intake chronic stress causes, these excess calories are deposited in the abdominal or visceral fat cells around the middle. And increased belly fat heightens the cardiovascular and diabetic risk which is the direct result of chronic stress .Reference: Institute for Natural Resources.
The following are my prescriptions to counter stress in your life: 1. Recognize negative or irrational ideas that are repeated in your mind. 2. Stop, breathe, relax, and reflect before action. 3. Turn to family and/or good friends .4. Reduce or avoid negative people, situations or environments. 5. Become more like a vegan and eat fruits, vegetables and other nutritious foods. 6. Get the proper amount of rest and sleep .7. Immerse in an exercise program. 8. Give more than you receive. 9. Consult a psychotherapist. 10. Consider medication
My bottom line is to keep moving and run for your life because it’s good for you.
PS
I am running well and Secretariat and I are tapering for our New Year’s run which is called the Resolution Run. Join us in Auburn at the Overlook. We are running the 10 mile event and plan to be joined by Randall and Diane. Debbie has also signed up as she has started running again after a long absence. Good luck Debbie.
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