Christmas is just around the corner and we all know that it can be a very stressful time, particularly in the lead up as we rush around trying to get everything done and find money that we haven’t got to pay for everything that this time of year involves.
To add to what we normally encounter as the 25th gets closer, this year we have another very significant cause of stress. We have been locked down for months, which for many has resulted in significant loss of income. When we add in the fear and concerns about the future that have impacted on almost every one of us it amounts to a ‘perfect storm’ for which there could be serious health related consequences.
Short term stress which can help us deal with an emergency is for the most part not harmful. When there is an immediate threat that we must deal with, our hypothalamus, which is a tiny control ‘tower’ in the brain, signals the release of stress hormones which trigger the body’s ‘fight or flight’ mechanism. The heart races, breathing quickens and the blood vessels constrict to divert more oxygen to the muscles which tense up ready for action and the liver produces extra blood sugar to provide an energy boost.
With everything that’s going on with our lives in today’s world, it’s the long-term impact of stress that we must be very mindful of. If we are permanently in ‘fight or flight’ mode, our overall health can suffer significantly. If our blood vessels are permanently constricted, blood pressure is raised thus increasing the risk for a heart attack or stroke. For people who have asthma or other breathing problems, chronic stress can make it even harder to breathe. Increased blood sugar on an ongoing basis could also increase the risk for diabetes. Tight muscles can cause headaches, or back and shoulder pain which may result in the need for pain medication.
Chronic stress can also affect the way that food moves through the body so digestive upsets are another potential cause for concern.
For me however, the most significant and often overlooked consequence of chronic stress is the way it impacts on the immune system. While short term stress can stimulate the immune system to help with wound healing and infections, chronic stress can have a deleterious effect on the immune system, significantly reducing its ability to fight viral illnesses and other infections. Having observed the way that RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) ravaged New Zealand over the winter, I wonder just how much stress contributed to this.
While there is not a lot we can do to offset the stress of living in a world that’s so massively different to what it was just 18 months ago, we can do our best to ensure that we are not deficient in key nutrients that help our immune system to look after us.
I wonder how many people know what their vitamin D status is and have been taking it regularly? Animals that make their own vitamin C do so in response to stress. Humans don’t make their own vitamin C, so taking optimal amounts daily to support a healthy immune system is something that should not be overlooked.
Zinc is a simple mineral that is not easily obtained in our diet and its role in supporting our immune system cannot be overstated. In addition to vitamin D, vitamin C and Zinc, I have found that Black Seed Oil (Nigella Sativa) which has been used for centuries to support human wellbeing is a helpful addition to my wellness protocol.
A good brisk walk after dinner is something we can all do. It’s a fantastic way to relieve stress and take in some fresh air. It’s all about being proactive and recognising that if we can’t avoid stress, we can take steps to protect ourselves from the harm it can cause. (JOHN APPLETON)
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Published 5 November 2021