4 Health Factors That Can Impact Stress Levels

4 Health Factors That Can Impact Stress Levels SLEEP • Lack of sleep is associated with an increase in the stress hormone, cortisol • Insufficient sleep can cause symptoms of stress, such as irritability and anger Even partial sleep deprivation causes stress, anger, sadness and exhaustion Stress causes poor sleep, setting in motion a cycle of greater stress and less sleep A good night's sleep blocks the CRH/ACTH hormone reaction that triggers stress 8HRS Adults who sleep fewer than eight hours a night report higher stress levels than those who sleep at least eight hours a night (5.5 vs. 4.4 on a 10-point scale). APA.org/news/press/releases/stress/2013/sleep DIET- • Adlet of refined grains, sugar, fried and processed foods Is linked to depresslon • Eating veggles, frults, fish, meat, whole gralns Improves braln functlon, blood sugar control and mood • Poor eating hablts hinder braln function, reducing self-esteem and Increasing mod swings Eating too few calorles or carbs decreases serotonin production, Increasing stress • Overeating causes heartburn, whIch reduces sleep and Increases stress and anxlety 2X Compared with the healthiest eaters, the worst eaters have twice the "stress drags" in their lives and only about half the "anti-stress lifts." Success.com/how-food-affects-your-stress-levels-both-good-and-bad/ EXERCISE • Lack of exercise can cause moodiness and irritability, symptoms of stress • Sedentary lifestyles lead to excess weight, causing poor self-image and depression • Exercise reduces levels of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol • Exercise stimulates production of endorphins, the mood-elevating chemicals • Exercise lowers stress and relieves symptoms of mild depression and anxiety 14% 14% of people make use of regular exercise to cope with stress. ADAA.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/other-related-conditions/stress/physical- activity-reduces-st POSTURE • Poor posture causes the body distress; prolonged distress leads to poor sleep Rounded shoulders decrease the body's ability to take In oxygen, leading to fatlgue Poor posture activates the stress center, putting the body In "fight or flight" mode Poor posture can affect one's mood and worsen symptoms of stress and depresslon Good posture Is assoclated with a better body Image and greater self-esteem In one study, patients with mild to moderate depression felt more alert after simply keeping their back and shoulders upright while sitting. They also reported less anxiety. Sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/so 005791616301719 PRELIS www.drlhands.com Sources: APA.orginews/press/releases/stress/2013/sleep | Consumer.health day.com/encyclopedla/stress-management-37/ stress-health-news-640/sleep-deprivatlon-and-stress-646063 | Healthyeating.sfgate.com/emotlonal-effects-bad-dlet-2711 Llvehealthy.chron.com/psychological-Impacts-lack-exerclse-B307 | Mayodinlc.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in- depth/exercise-and-stress/art-20044469 | Health.com/mlnd-body/how-posture-affects-md Callbration mansield.com/your-poor-posture-Is-causing-you-stress-and-other-Issues/