Do You Want to Knock Out the Stress in Your Life?

Stress is a very broad concept and has many connotations. Greek philosopher Hippocrates perhaps was the first to attempt to define the word stress in terms of "balance," which was conceived as an essential state of health and then "disharmony," which manifested as disease when perturbed. In the early 20^th century, Hans Seyle proposed the general adaptation syndrome which provided the first comprehensive biological theory of stress.¹

Within the modern physiological context, internal balance as described by Hippocrates is recognized as homeostasis. The definition of stress is a state of threatened balance, equilibrium, or harmony. Threats to homeostasis are called stressors.¹

Stress also becomes the physiological responses an individual undergoes while adjusting to adverse or continuous changes in environment. It is known that stressors of various types, be they psychological or physical, can alter the physiological levels of certain hormones, immune cells and networks of biochemicals that respond to the stress.² These alterations send information to the central nervous system to take necessary action, which then sends messages to the appropriate organs, tissues and cells to respond. These messages can either activate or suppress the immune system as needed, and failure to compensate for this by the body can lead to serious health-related problems.²

In one study, 276 volunteers completed a life stressor interview and psychological questionnaire. They provided blood and urine samples. They were inoculated with common cold viruses and monitored for the onset of disease.³ Although severe, acute, stressful life events (less than one month long) were not associated with developing colds, severe chronic stressors (one month or longer) were associated with a substantial increase in risk of disease. This relation was attributable primarily to under- or unemployment and to enduring interpersonal difficulties with family or friends.³

Psychological stress is known to affect immune function and to predict susceptibility to infectious disease. However, not all individuals who are stressed develop disease. Further investigation has revealed that individuals vary in the magnitude of their immune responses to stress. Individual differences in immune reactivity provide a vulnerability factor in mediating relationships between stress and disease.⁴

What are some stressors in our lives?

• Being the primary caretaker of an elderly, sick or handicapped person
• One of the common models of chronic, long-term psychological stress is that of caregivers of a family member with dementia²
• Financial insecurities. Under-employment or unemployment³
• Enduring interpersonal difficulties with family or friends⁴
• Changing locations, moving to a new home
• Death of a loved one

What can we do to lower our stress levels?

• Find time daily to relax and do something you enjoy.
• Yoga, exercise, sports, music and meditation have been shown to lower stress.
• Have a good support group of family and friends who listen and encourage your efforts.
• Do not take things personally when someone is critical or negative.
• Stay positive — speak kind words, think positive thoughts and visualize good experiences.
• Eat well-balanced, scheduled meals so body and brain have the energy to function.

How can we boost our health to combat stress?

1. Take Laminine
   
   Laminine has been shown in a clinical trial to lower the stress hormone cortisol. This slows down a cascade of events that continue to bombard the body with other inflammatory and/or stimulating compounds that may increase anxiety. Many people consuming one to two capsules per day of Laminine report better sleep, more positive moods, less anxiety and overall well-being. Some people report an experience of calmness. Since emotions can run high when certain adverse events happen, an overall calmness can help cope with stress.


2. Take IMMUNE⁺⁺⁺
   
   IMMUNE⁺⁺⁺ contains an effective amount of Vitamin C, mushroom extracts and powerful antioxidants that provide immune support when the stressors in your life accelerate. Take IMMUNE⁺⁺⁺ regularly to have its benefits in place before some crisis hits.


3. Take DIGESTIVE⁺⁺⁺
   
   Modern research in probiotic biology has shown that beneficial microbes, when inhabiting the gut, help make neuro-metabolites that support good mood. The microbiota affects the neurological, endocrine and immune systems, which make up the Neuro-Immuno-Endocrine Super System.⁵ DIGESTIVE⁺⁺⁺ supports the proper breakdown of foods to provide much needed energy, especially when you are undergoing stressful times—for example, when starting kids back to school, adjusting your own work schedule or juggling responsibilities.

At LifePharm corporate headquarters, we are a happy family that works together as a team, with respect towards all. Positive attitude, a healthy body, good friends and family are what make life a good experience and enable us to maintain balance even when bombarded by stress.