Likely, you have developed a lifestyle routine to keep you healthy and happy. It may include exercise, massage, meditation and a nutrition regimen, and when followed diligently, it works. But, there are times that it doesn’t work as well. And frankly, there are times when maintaining healthful habits seem impractical.

Wonder why? What happens then? Why are those times tougher than others? Something gets in our way, right?

That obstructive thing is stress. Just say the word, stress. It sounds like a mischievous goblin looking to sabotage everything hard work builds. Think about it. When someone describes an obstacle, typically, stress is the culprit. Call it an invisible sidekick to mayhem. Fortunately, stress isn’t a masked bandit running amuck. And, we can better manage its impact on our lives.

For many of us, the word stress is somewhat ambiguous. Wikipedia explains that, “stress is how the body reacts to a stressor, real or imagined; a stimulus that causes stress.” According to another definition, stress relates to the pressure, pull or other force exerted on one thing by another. The source of the tension is a stressor, and the quantity, quality and duration of the tension helps to categorize it as a specific type of stressor. To better understand stress, we need to take a closer look at some of the primary stressors:

• Mental stressors—all mental illness, chronic unresolved issues, major life changes, overburdened with responsibility, self-image issues, and obsessive thinking

• Emotional stressors—anger, rage, irritability, worry, anxiety, fear, fright, terror, depression, desire, lust, sadness, grief, and over excitement

• Physical stressors—too much strenuous activity such as overwork and too much exercise, trauma, starvation, medical issues, suffocation, alcohol and drug use, lack of sleep, illness, and child-birth

• Environmental stressors—sudden changes in climate or exposure to severe climate conditions, electromagnetic waves (wi-fi networks), excessive exposure to sun, exposure to microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, molds, and parasites), exposure to chemical toxins (pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, heavy metals, households and industrial chemicals); also, nutritional deficiencies such as refined foods, nutrient depleted foods, genetically-modified foods, irradiated foods, trans fats, caffeine and other stimulants

• Spiritual stressors—loss of direction and life purpose

Clearly there are many stressors. And, it is important to minimize our exposure to unnecessary stressors; however, stress and stressors are a natural part of life. Instead, our focus should be on how we process stress. Our bodies metabolize it in two different ways: either as helpful eustress, which is anabolic in nature (meaning it builds us up) or as destructive distress, which is catabolic (meaning it breaks us down). The old saying is true, “what doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger.”

Hans Seyle outlined our stress response in more detail, and earned the nick name “the father of stress research.” In his General Adaptation Syndrome, Seyle delineates a sequence of reactions the body goes through when responding to a given stressor. First, in the alarm stage, we experience an internal alert where the body prepares for action with adrenaline and cortisol. This is commonly known as a fight-flight response. Next if the stressor persists, the body goes into the resistance stage. Here the body reallocates its’ primary force to deal with the stressor. This is the “cope and adapt…or else” stage. If the tension persists, then the body will fall into the exhaustion phase. This is the danger zone. In the exhaustion phase, we are vulnerable to illness and weakness.

Selye’s research proves that the key factor to our body’s survival is its’ ability to adapt. Our ability to adapt depends on our adaptive energy. He coined that phrase, because in situations when our adaptive energy is high, we move through stress unscathed. But when our adaptive energy is low, all things can go wrong and likely do.

The importance of adaptive energy has been a part of ancient wisdom for centuries. Adaptive energy is the same force that mystics and sages realized is the foundation for spiritual growth, as well as physical health and well being. They called it called prana, ki or qi (chi). Because of its’ vital significance, sages of antiquity sought out ways of enhancing chi. Guess where they found help? Yup, good ole mother nature had the solution—a group of rare botanicals that enhances adaptive energy more than anything else. These plants cultivated strong adaptive power, because they grow and thrive in harsh conditions. When consumed, the body absorbs their extra adaptive power.

In Chinese Medicine, these plants are called tonic herbs for their tonifying effects. And, this group of herbs is also found within Ayurveda’s Rasyayan Formulas for spiritual alchemy. As fate would have it, these botanicals were rediscovered in the West in the 1940s when Russian scientists unlocked their secret and named them adaptogens. The Russians used them to help alleviate the distress their Olympic athletes experienced from over-training. Also, they were used as healing aids after the nuclear spill in Chernobyl. Their modern research proves that adaptogens have a unique ability to assist the body to restore homeostasis and lessen the effects of stress on a person, be it physical, emotional, mental or environmental stress.

"Adaptogens help the body regulate itself,"  says Harriet Beinfield, a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist who co-authored, Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine, (Ballantine, 1991) with husband Efrem Korngold, a doctor of Oriental medicine and co-director of a Chinese medical clinic in San Francisco. "One example of the amazing healing properties of adaptogens," which she points out, "is that a person with low blood sugar will find an adaptogen raises their blood sugar to a normal, balanced level, while the same adaptogen taken by someone with high blood sugar will experience their blood sugar lowered toward normal levels."

In other words, adaptogens can help the body restore and maintain balance. These herbs are amazing. Some of these wonderful herbs are:

• American Ginseng
• Holy Basil
• Gynostemma 
• Lycium Fruit
• Polygonum Multiflorum / Fo-Ti
• Astragalus Root
• Atractylodes
• Licorice Root
• Rhodiola
• Ashwagandha Root
• Dang Shen
• Reishi Mushroom
• Shiitake Mushroom
• Maitake Mushroom
• Shilajit
• Schizandra Berry
• Maca
• Cordyceps

There are a few more herbs that qualify as adaptogens. Since these herbs have such a great impact on our well being, they could be considered like an insurance policy. With their help, it’s easier to make wise choices that support sound health. Most often, adaptogens provide a boost of energy and clear mental calm.

 

In the book, Adaptogens; Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, by Winston and Maimes, the many benefits of each adaptogen are explored. The authors share recipes and great tips for adding adaptogens into a daily diet. Single herb preparations are great; yet the authors explain that using a wide array of adaptogens proves to be more powerful. And, because these herbs primarily restore balance in the body, they are safe to take on a regular, long-term basis. Supplementing with adaptogens is the easiest step to take to support our health and wellness, but if you are under the care of a health care provider, consult them before taking any supplements.

 

With the click of a mouse, its easy to add adaptogens to our diet. There are many choices. Some popular ones are Tonic Alchemy by Ron Teegarden or Pure Synergy by Mitchell May. Yet, one adaptogenic-product stands out, ShenTrition. Its milligram dosage, formula arrangement and taste make it effective and enjoyable. In fact, it is used by many natural physicians in their practices plus it has been mentioned in 3 books for its effects on vitality, balance and longevity: Perfect Eyesight: The Art Of Improving Vision Naturally by R. Lewanski and R. Zuraw; Integrative Endocrinology; The Rhythms of Life, by Dr. Donald R. Beans; and No Age is the New Age; An Action Plan for Agelessness, A Longevity Guide for Men and Women 25 to 125, by Karen Norris and Eve Michaels.

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Stress! What does it really mean?  How many times have we gone to our doctor or talked to a friend about a pain that we have and the reason always seems to be STRESS!

 

The Merriam Webster Dictionary describes stress as: a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation.

So stress can cause disease! Well in my opinion only if you let it!  Everything can cause us stress; relationships, our jobs, kids, traffic, the economy and anything else that happens to us on a daily basis.  The question you have to ask is:  How much of that stress will you allow to affect your life?  I like to think that we still have free will and that allows us to determine how we are going to absorb or deflect the stress that comes into our lives.  We have the choice to take the information, for example you get in a car wreck.  The choice is to take that stress and worry, internalize it, affect your sleep, mess with your stomach, increase pain and inflammation and alter your overall mood, or acknowledge the stress.  When we acknowledge the stress and realize that all our worrying won’t change the outcome, stress doesn’t win.  We only have control over this moment not what happened in the past and not what’s going to happen in the future.  Once we accept this fact we can handle our stress instead of letting our stress handle us.  One moment, one hour, one day at a time.

President Obama on January 15, 2008 (left) and on July 31, 2011. (Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images & Chip Somodeville/Getty Images & cnn.com)

Take a look at these two pictures of President Obama can you believe that they are only 3 years apart!  I post this to emphasize a point, “Emotional stress has physical manifestations.”   We as humans tend to differentiate the physical and emotional as separate parts of our selves, never to cross.  These pictures tell a different story.  The immense stress that accompanies the presidency has taken its toll on Mr. Obama. His wrinkles have deepened; his hair is grayer, his eyes have become more sunken and just looks like over the last 3 years he has aged 10!

 

Now we don’t have to be the president to show signs of stress.  It can manifest in many ways, here are a few examples:  More prone to sickness, injuries occur more frequently, fatigue, random pain, hair loss, skin conditions, and upset stomachs or diarrhea.

 

So what’s the lesson?  Mind your stress.  When things occur in your body, don’t ignore them, check in and see what’s happening in your life and then look what you can change to decrease the stress or increase your coping mechanisms.

Including exercise in your daily routine can greatly increase your ability to deal with stress.  Our diet also plays a big role.  If the fuel your are putting in is bad, what do you expect to get out? Lastly get outside when ever you can, we live in an age where most of us are behind a computer, locked in a room most of the day.  Go outside, breathe some non-air conditioned air and bask in your surroundings. Get a massage!  You'll be glad you did! Enjoy the rest of your life, let the politicians stress out while we keep aging at the rate we're supposed to.

 

Please forgive me, I know this one is long.  Pick what you need out of it and enjoy.

Many people ask me “How often should I get a MetaTouch Massage” to this I answer “It depends.”

When you should get a MetaTouch massage depends on a few different factors:

• Your physical condition
• Your level of activity
• Your stress level
• Your history of injuries and when you want to!

Your physical condition can be determined by many different factors.  Eating habits, amount of exercise, your job, and family life all make up your physical condition. All these play into how you deal and manifest stress. Have you ever noticed when you go through a stressful event, you don’t only feel the mental strain that it can cause but also the physical representations of that stress. Some of the most common symptoms experienced are:  Fatigue, headache, TMJ (jaw pain) or illness. Illness occurs when you are stressed, because your body’s ability to fight off normal bugs can be greatly compromised making you more susceptible to getting sick. Getting a massage during these times can assist in lowering your stress level while at the same time strengthening your immune system so that you can fight off all the bad stuff that is thrown at you. 

Level of activity I can’t tell you the number of different responses I get when I ask “What type of exercise do you do and how often?”

Here are some examples, see which one, if any you fit into:

1. “I walk”

2. “I’ve been doing the same routine for the past 30 years and I like it!”

3. “I run, bike, swim, lift weights, yoga, hike, Pilates, knit sweaters and on SundaysI rescue small animals.”

4. “I used to exercise….”

5.  “All I do is push ups and sit ups, every day.”

1.  First, walking is wonderful, but it should not be the only exercise you get.  If you walk around the block once a week, you might be getting your blood to pump, but the rest of you is slowly atrophying into a giant ball of Jell-O.

Change it up; add some resistance exercise along with cardio.  You’ll see results much faster.

2.  For the guy who has been doing the same routine for the past 30 years, he has trained his muscles to ignore any benefits the exercise might have had at one point.  His body has reached a plateau.   Pushing 5 lbs today will not be as hard as pushing 5 lbs 10 days from now. Always safely challenge yourself.  It is the only way you will effect change.


3.  Our over achiever better be eating a lot, because the amount of calories she is burning will put her into an early grave without the right food intake. If you are working out like a mad person and are not matching it with the correct nutrition, than you could be burning muscle instead of fat. Your body also goes into a hording mode to conserve the food that it's taking. It stoes everything because it doesn’t know when its next meal will come You see this condition in people that only eat one or two meals a day and wonder why they are gaining weight.

Working out every muscle every day can be detrimental as well.  Your body needs time to recover.  This recovery time is when the muscle fibers heal and grow. Lactic acid is flushed out and the body gets ready for the abuse you are going to put it through.  So the lesson is, pace your self, eat and get a massage.  For those of you who are training for a marathon or triathlon, massage can help bring you to the next level.  MetaTouch treatments can help repair the damage that you incurred during workouts and speed your recovery exponentially.  This allows you to train harder and longer with less injury.

4.  Just because you used to run 30 miles a week, 3 years ago, doesn’t mean that you get to sit on the couch eating bon bon’s and expect to be in peak physical condition. Your body atrophies, or loses muscle, within 36 hrs of not moving.  Imagine what 3 years has done! Massage can help get all the stagnated blood moving around, while assisting the body to return to a balanced state.  This can make the transition back to exercise an easier one.   Get off your butt!


5.  So you like push ups and sit ups.  There is a slight problem with this workout; you are only addressing one part of the body while neglecting the rest.  When one only trains the “front” you can get what I call the "turtle posture", this is when everything rounds forward.  Branch out, for every chest move do a back. For every contraction do an extension.  This will help your body stay in balance and healthy.

    

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Your Stress Level:

Massage and stress have gone together since the dawn of time.  You’re stressed, get a massage.  It will relax and calm you so that all the tension will melt away. Massage also helps reduce pain.  Pain can manifest mentally as depression, anxiety or anger.  So just think of massage as a natural form of Prozac.

History of injuries:

If you have chronic injuries, massage and MetaTouch treatments can help keep them from flaring up.  This will allow you to live a more normal life even when suffering from chronic pain.

When you want to:

If you want a massage, get one, you deserve to take care of yourself.  In this day and age massage is no longer a luxury it is now a necessity.  So call us and get what you deserve, a MetaTouch Massage!  310-397-3422 

Do you have a topic that you would like to see covered in this blog?

Shoot me an e-mail, I’ll do my best to post on the topics important to you.

Holden@metatouch.com

www.metatouch.com