Don't Sweat the Small Stuff!

Stress has become a part of life, however living with chronic stress can cause anxiety, depression and other serious health issues. Long lasting or chronic stress suppresses the immune system, and emotional stress can lead to hormonal imbalances which can interfere with immune function. Stress is defined as a reaction to any internal or external stimuli that upsets normal functioning and disturbs mental or physical health. We perceive stress from three basic sources: our environment, our body and our emotions. Environmental stress includes: noise, weather, physical threats, time pressures and performance standards. Body stress includes:  dis-ease processes, organ malfunction, poor nutrition, poor sleep and physical injury. Emotional stress includes: encompassing our reactions, in thought and emotion, and also the environmental and physical stressors. One effect of chronic stress is prolonged muscle tension and contraction. This muscle tension creates uneven pressure on the bony structures of the body, often causing the misalignment of the spinal column. These are known as "subluxations". Receiving  chiropractic adjustments releases the muscles tension, which helps the body return to a more balanced, relaxed state. Adjustments also reduce spinal nerve irritation, and improves blood circulation. This can help convince the  brain to turn off the "fight or flight" response, which begins the healing process. A healthy and balanced spine is a very important key in handling daily stress. Remember your body was created with an intelligence that knows exactly how to respond and heal. Trust that inner strength and wisdom! Understanding who  we are, knowing our major struggles, putting them in perspective and taking action can help us effectively manage stress. And last but not least, don't sweat the small stuff!  This is where Faith comes in...knowing and trusting that God is in complete control of each aspect of our lives frees us from having to worry about the details.