BEAUTY KLINIC

There are many different effects of stress on the body. The short term effects have been well documented and studied by biologists. The long term effects are harder to assess in scientific research because they can vary from person to person, but stress is much better understood now than it was a few decades ago.

Stress causes a set of physical responses collectively known as the “fight or flight” response. The hormone adrenaline is released into our bodies in order to prepare us to escape from danger or fight off the threat. Our heart rate increases, respiration becomes more rapid, muscles tense and our senses become sharper. This is a response possessed by most animals.

How all of this works is that the hypothalamus gland is activated by stress. Our hormonal system cannot distinguish between different types of stress stimuli, but it does react differently depending on the perceived severity of the threat as well as whether not the threat is an imminent one.

The sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine glands receive a signal from the brain and then fill the body with the stress hormones. These hormones include adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine. These are our bodies’ equivalent of putting “all hands on deck”.

The heart rate goes up and more blood flows to the large muscle groups, preparing us for fighting or running away. The blood vessels nearest the skin retract to restrict bleeding if we are injured. Our blood sugar soars to quicken our reaction time and boost our energy levels.

During this time, our reproductive and digestive systems slow down, as does the flow of growth hormones and the immune system.

If we are facing a real physical threat, these autonomic responses are incredibly useful and can help us to survive a dangerous situation.

Most of the stressful situations we face do not have to do with facing off against predatory animals, however. Instead, these stimuli are more likely to be along the lines of deadlines at work or in other situations where fight or flight is usually not the best response.

When we have this response and do not have to actually respond in a “fight or flight” fashion, then the physical effects linger. In many case, this lasts until the next stressful stimulus comes up.

As a result, a good number of us spend our lives in a near constant stressed out state ? which is not healthy for us. Our cardiovascular system can be overworked and our digestive systems underactive. Immune function can be compromised and the reproductive system working at a lower capacity. We can suffer from indigestion, migraines or even heart problems due to this heightened stress level.

The effects of stress on the body are harmful to our cardiovascular system and keep our immune system from doing its job properly ? it’s no mystery why people get sick so often these days!

Ever wonder how did the chair, much less the modern recliner, developed through time? Why did it take on the shape that it eventually did? Not to be terribly Seinfeld-ian about it, but how did this happen? Well, Georgie boy, I’ve done some research and come up with a brief survey, if you will, of the humble, posterior perching chair. Join me, won’t you?

There is no record of the first chair. The archeological record doesn’t give us a “first chair.” Instead, we have a variety of chairs from a variety of early civilizations. Of course, as with anything tied to human endeavors, the chair was initially a status symbol. Most chairs in antiquity were reserved for the landed gentry and royalty. In fact, in medieval Europe, the Church fathers and royals enjoyed terribly elaborate chairs.

But wait, what about the Greeks and Romans? What about the Egyptians? The respective archeological records show aside from a few thrones, most chairs were nothing more than stools. Don’t forget the Greeks, Romans, and even the Egyptians came from lounging cultures. Food was eaten whilst lying on one’s side on the ground, usually made comfortable by an assortment of pillows.

While the medieval European chairs were quite elaborate, it would not be until the Italian craftsmen of the Renaissance got their hands on the chair that it would become what it is today. The chair was stuffed with down and fabrics and marketed for mass (on a relative scale) consumption. Nothing meant you had made it as a member of the newly emerging middle class like an ornate chair to park your posterior on.

Today, the most popular chair is the much loved and maligned recliner. The recliner dates back to 1780 and the court of Louis XVI. It seems it was created to allow King Louis to literally kick his feet up. After all, a king should never strain to lift his legs. Napoleon, upon becoming Emperor, also kicked back on a recliner. Whether or not it had belonged to Louis is up for debate. Padded recliner chairs appeared in 1887. Their popularity had everything to with their decadent reclining mechanisms, which took all the effort out of putting one’s feet up. It’s good to be the king.

Though it may be hard for some to understand, massage is stressful. For those of us who are reluctant to lay semi-nude on a table and be grabbed by total strangers, massage is a far from a pleasant, relaxing prospect. On the contrary, it can be a very stressful one, bordering on panic inducing. I suppose it has everything to do with body image and what not, but the thought of a strangers oily hands on my back is not one I readily relish.

As a viable therapy, massage enjoys the distinction of being a time-honored one. We can see the depiction of massage in a number of Roman, Greek, India, Chinese, and even Thai murals and texts. It was, and still is, seen as a viable means of therapy. Indeed, even modern Western medicine can cite the effectiveness of massage, though most literature on the matter claims it is a perceived benefit, not necessarily an actual one. We perceive, therefore we are.

Massage, by definition, is the rubbing of the soft tissue of the body, which includes the muscles, skin, joints, ligaments, and even the internal organs. This “rubbing” can be done with a mechanical gadget or a part of the body, such as the forearm or thumbs or even the feet. Applying pressure to the soft tissue can release tension, reduce stress and therefore lower blood pressure. It can also facilitate the flow of lactic acid, reducing recovery times from strenuous activity. There is a reason athletes all get massages after each game or event.

The sheer number of types of massage is enough to make a shy man (or woman) blush. How is a person to choose between Breema, visceral manipulation, Shiatsu, Rolfing, and so on? Well, lets starts with certifications. Presently, only Shiatsu enjoys the distinction of being a licensed medical practice…in Japan. Still, the Japanese must onto something. Of course, a massage therapist must be licensed through a state agency, so whatever they happen to specialize in should be safe enough.

If all this talk of soft tissues and oils and semi-nudity is too much for you, you can simply invest in any number of high-powered personal massagers and call it a night. There are a variety of devices that can vibrate your stress away. Granted there is something unmistakable and even, perhaps, magical about the touch of another human, but for those of us who are the shy types, it’s just the ticket to peace of mind.

You can discover all over and with the fast-paced life that people endure these days, stress is part of our daily lives. As a matter of fact, people are so used to it that they deal with it as a regular everyday natural event but stress, when not managed right, can lead to all sorts of health problems, fundamental of which is heart troubles. This is particularly true with individuals who have had family history of heart problems.

This is particularly true with individuals who have had family history of heart conditions. Managing Stress is nevertheless, actually simple to do when you make an effort, so if you keep in mind to keep it from happening, you can in reality live a tension-free life or at the very least be able to cope with it simply because after all, dealing with tension is stressful in itself. You don’t actually need to go to particular lengths to release the tension - you can do away with it by preventing its occurrence to begin with. Read some more and you might just stop those creases from turning up.

Tension is so usual these days that its expected by everyone, so its advisable that you ready yourself for the big problems and let go of the tinier, insignificant ones. You can only do this if you maintain an organized life because just looking for your misplaced pencil in the workplace can produce stress, not to mention, make you lose your concentration. Don’t let that take place, so keep your life arranged and it will ensure you are more ready to handle the bigger ones.

It is not true that creative succusses only appear when we are in a rush, it’s just they come out during those peiods because we are driven to think. With enough self-control, we can surely think of creative constructs without straining ourselves for lack of time and by beginning quickly it will also ensure that you won’t have to hurry when you are working on a job. You will be able to take some time and really consider what you are trying to achieve and this should stop you from getting too tense, but, also allow you to produce great constructive work.

Tension levels will seldom involve you provided you are ready for it, health-wise. You see, when you are fit, healthy and is full of vitality, you are just about protected from the effects of stress such as the lowering of energy levels, nervous breakdown and frequently, even heart problems. This can only be done by living healthily through eating on the right sorts of nutrients and having the requisite sleep each day.

If you believe that you are already drawing close to your collapsing point, don’t be stupid and take a rest because this will do you far more good as it will aid you reload and de-tension yourself. If you’re too engaged, don’t put it off as doing so will only make the tension build up inside you until you become too stressed out to even be productive. This is the reason why employers give vacation leave so that people can take a while to relax and regain their former vigor levels, and productive selves.

At the risk of sounding like a complete Big Sur hippie, I feel I have to make the case for something called zone therapy, otherwise known as reflexology. I know what youre thinking: James, you’ve done it again. Yes, perhaps I have. But so what? This ancient therapy does not require the use of any special crystals or ethereal pan flute music. All that’s required is a semi-open mind and your bare hands and feet.

Reflexology is something like a hand or foot massage, in fact, it’s just like a hand or foot massage. The only difference is the intentionality of the masseuse. A reflexologist is trained to correspond points on your hands and feet (and sometimes ears) to certain organs or functions of the body. For instance, the hollow of the foot is said to correspond to your stomach. Have a stomach ache? Have that part of your foot rubbed.

I know this sounds rather strange, far-fetched even, but the esteemed journal, Neuroscience Letters, claims that there is indeed a neural link between the brain and the foot. Of course, I would say, how else are we able to walk? Thanks, I’ll be here all week! But seriously, folks, there is something to be said for this form of therapy. I know because it worked for me. My chronic headaches, which bordered on migraines, have abated since I started getting my hands rubbed.

Outlandish, sure. Insane, perhaps. But the bottom line: it works for me. It could work for you. It’s like Tai Chi — some people swear they can feel the chi running through their bodies. Other people punch people like that in the stomach and laugh. It’s hard to say and I do sympathize with those of you who are creeped out by other people touching their hands and feet.

So, for the sake of forgoing the touch of another human, you could get yourself a foot massager. You can find models that are electric (and hence vibrating) or wooden (and do nothing but get mashed into your soft spots). The vibrating ones get the job done and even come with warm water jets and DVD players. I’m just kidding about the DVD players. Either way, it’s something that may work for some people out there, and if something works, why not give a try?